Everyone Loves A Happy Ending!

I make no claim that the following information is correct. I wasn't there. But I did ask for some feedback pertaining to the trip from Halifax to Bermuda as one of my many readers has requested. Tonights post was going to be about me and the birds, but I guess that can wait another day. There will always be bird ladies. So from the mouths of Skipper Al, and Crew Mack, I offer you the following as your evening enjoyment. (Hope you are happy now James!)

The first three days, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday the weather was sweet. By Tuesday evening they were down to a stay sail and a mizzen. Wednesday was building weather, and by Wednesday evening all sails were down and a storm sail was put up on the stay sail track. Weather continued to worsen throughout the night Wednesday and by Thursday morning the boat was in consistent ten plus meter seas and consistent 60 knot wind gusting to much higher. This weather stopped all southerly progress to Bermuda and the next four and a half days were spent riding the seas and making no progress. By Monday evening of the following week, the storm started to diminish allowing the guys to put up a double reef main, and half the genoa. Weather continued to improve until Wednesday and by that time they put up the mizzen and changed the storm sail to a stay sail and continued sailing southerly. By Friday evening the boat was twenty miles off Bermuda with absolutely no wind, leaving the guys going no where because the engine was not working. They waited outside St George Harbour for two and a half days until finally accepting a tow on Sunday night. Thus making a seven day trip to Bermuda fourteen days.

The storm created several problems. A wave passed through the enclosure taking out the two side panels. Water so high that the fresh water tanks were contaminated through the vents. The engine wasn't working, because the ignition wire came off, wabasto heater exhaust through hull sea cock leaked and there was no valve to shut off which has been rectified. All problems, which were relatively minor, have been rectified and we are now enjoying some sunshine and slow days.

Throughout the passage communication was had between Ryen's Quest and RCC Bermuda, Halifax RCC on a daily basis assisting in an on-going search and rescue operation.

p.s Entry is now in my words. Al forgot to mention the three dozen eggs that smashed against the walls and floors of the galley. The toaster became a flying missile. The quarter cabin bunk slid out and everything stowed there went somewhere else. Both Allan and Mack are or were bruised from their waist to their knees as they tried to brace themselves and not be thrown around the boat in the high seas. They had at least one good laugh a day which usually involved Al laying on his back with his feet in the air capsized. All in all, it was a good trip, with a very happy ending. Al and Mack