FROM THE DECKS OF PAPA...

The Following are Excerpts from the ship's Log

First Mate's Log:

06 Feb 2007

11:29 (GMT-04) 94 degrees, clear, no wind

Bahia Redondo

Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela

Well, this is actually being written below decks as the actual deck surface temperature is probably over 100 degrees, even though it's white. The bottoms of our feet are getting used to the scorching though. Beginning to look like little baked potatoes!

On Sunday the Captain fired up Hijo's (Spanish for son) motor and took the First Mate on a little dinghy exploration trip. Actually I believe his purpose was to test the First Mate's survival skills. My first instinct was to head straight out of the marina and explore, but he insisted we motor about the marina first to verify the operation of the motor (that's why he's the captain). That done, we motored beyond the breakwall into a fairly calm rolling sea. We spied some kite boarders in the distance and motored across the bay to investigate, that's when the dinghy motor decided to give up. The Captain could start the motor and get it to run for 30-60 seconds before it would die again, all the while we were drifting ever closer to the beach (the First Mate was certain that the families frolicking in the surf and picnicking on the sand were actually pirates). At this point in the story, you could start humming the theme song from Gilligan's Island. The Captain insisted that since he was busy with the motor it was the First Mate's job to flag down a passing vessel. Many went by and the Captain was quick to point out that I could take off my red sarong and wave it in the air to attract more attention. OK, it didn't have to come to that, but I finally was able to flag down a nice Venezuelan family in a power boat (not pirates) who towed us back to our slip.

Of course by then it was Sundowner time so we had the privilege of parading past numerous other cruisers who were sitting in their cockpits enjoying their evening cocktails. The new kids in town...

After the success of Sunday's excursion (no pirates, no leaks), we decided to take the big PAPA out to stretch her wings. Dan fired up the bow thrusters and we successfully left the slip. I think I heard PAPA sigh. Once beyond the breakwall we decided sails were more trustworthy than motors, and so we hoisted all three (main, mizzen and jib). I guess hoisting isn't exactly the word, since we were able to raise them all by just pressing a few buttons. Ah, this is the life. We sailed close hauled past the city of Puerto La Cruz, Chelle, Dan and our friend Hans took turns minding the wheel and playing with the lines. Tacking is a matter of pushing a button on the autopilot. Of course, you can do everything the old fashioned way if you want. On the return to Bahia Redondo, we had a nice down wind sail and flew the beautiful red, white and blue spinnaker from the mizzen mast. Some of our other cruising friends were out on their vessel, Dot, and they managed to get some pictures of PAPA with all her canvas up.

First Mate's review is that she's a well-built, strong, comfortable cruising boat and will be wonderful in heavy weather and rough seas. I tested all of the berths while we were underway and they seemed cushy and relatively quiet. She also is extraordinarily comfortable while in port with her amenities and stowage capacity. First Mate still intends to purchase a Laser though, to have that wonderful 'feeling the wind and water' sailing experience. The Captain is itching to get PAPA out on her first real ocean-going passage and put her to the test - but first he must buy a new dinghy motor. 'Chelle, can you get 3,800,000 Venezuelan Bolivars out of the safe, I'm going to the Yamaha dealer.' was the last I heard from the Captain this morning.

Hope all is well in your homes. Keep safe from pirates.

Love,

Chelle

Captain's Log - Star Date

6 May 2006

Left Brisbane Marina with a crew of 4 on board. Destination Seattle. Capt Dan, Chief Cook Brock, Mates Seth and Patrick, all ready to tackle the forecasted head winds. The first night would be a peaceful stop on the back side of Angel Island. Seth and Patrick are completing their US Sailing Bareboat Certification on this trip. The two were anxious to practice their anchoring drills and set up for a perfect sunset. Brock prepared a Sushi Appetizer after his swim. Yes there is current here... "Would you like us to throw you a line?"

7 May 2006

0200 - Good Morning sports fans. Anchors away. Headed out the Golden Gate with a half moon to guide us and an Ebb Tide a running.

0330 - Turn to follow Bonita Channel. Moon set. Getting COLD. Seas 3-5' winds calm. Eerie night.

0600 - still calm. motoring west. still only 4-6' swells

1000- Passing Bodega Bay. Sunny skies and only 10-15 knots of head wind have lured us to continue. Thoughts of Eureka by tomorrow are dancing in our heads.

1200- Lunch is not so tasty with the building seas. 20 knots now right on the nose.

1400- OK so that's what a 12 foot breaking wave feels like.

1600- Passing Stewarts Pt. I think. Where is the chart? Down below beginning to look like a bomb hit. Food flying. Drawers breaking open. SLAM SLAM SLAM

1700 - No longer possible to go straight into the swells. Only 3 knots over the ground made good. At this rate we will make Seattle by next MONTH.

1800 - Every wave now clears the dodger and hits the driver square in the face. 30 knots on the nose. Seth and Patrick are getting the full feeling of REAL SAILING. BBQ gone over the side. Life sling torn from the railing. Retrieved by Seth. Brock is down below asking where all the water is coming from.

1830 - Capt Dan awaken form a very short nap. It has been a long day and the thought of a night like this is too much. PAPA is strong and sturdy but this is suppose to be fun. The decision to turn around is never easy but the call comes up to bring PAPA about and begin the downwind surfing.

1845 - LAT N38 47.88' LONG W123 37.64' Only 12 miles from Pt Arena. Course now set back for Bodega Bay. Now we are surfing the 12 -15 footers. With the Storm Jib winged out and a reef in the main 13 to 15 knots of speed will be a common occurrence as we begin to retrace our steps back to the shelter of Bodega Bay.

0100 - Safely tied up at the fuel dock in Bodega Bay. Capt Dan says, "Take the rest of the day off men. Nice job." A real honest test of boat and sailor. And a decision to return another day.

The following was taken from the actual ships log dated 4/17/06 1200 PDT:

 
SURFING Cali Style.  13+ knots of boat speed, straight down the face of some sweet swells.  Blowing 15-25 from the NW. Headed for Santa Barbara and points south.  Clear skies over the endless ocean.  A few puffy clouds over Big Sur and the big mountains south of here.  Depth sounder is lost as we cross over LUCIA CANYON, only 4200 feet straight down.   Only one other boat sighted so far.  A power boat headed north.  Two grey whales blew their horns to say "Good Morning" as we rounded Carmel Bay.  Sharks are well fed.  Feeling better now.  Game on to set another speed record.  Gotta get the right swell and a good puff at the same time.

PAPA Back in SFO

Tim at the Golden Gate

Last Updated 3/19/07
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