On Nov 28, 12:15 pm, Martin Baxter wrote:
Bart wrote:
Trip Report: Mystic to St Thomas Hanse 400 delivery

For the most part it was an uneventful trip. I'll post some
links to pictures/video's when I get some more time.

Thanks for the report Bart, interesting and informitive as always.

BTW, what were you doing visiting Bermuda, a bit risky considering they
have universal health coverage and all.....;-)

Cheers
Marty

Jeez Marty, I didn't know they were a communist country!

Bermuda has some advantages. A nice selection of
cigars comes to mind. I liked the place, but I really haven't
spent much time there. They have an Etchells fleet there,
so they can't be all bad. I'd like to spend a week there and
really explore the place.

If it were not for a crew change, I'd generally be in favor
of by-passing Bermuda. On the other hand, it did allow
for a relatively calm passage sitting out the front that
passed through.

My buddy Peter tells me the Hanse's don't handle
big wind close hauled very well. He tells me you can't
shorten sail enough. We had a storm sail rigged and
ready to set on an inner forestay, but no tri-sail. I'd
think it would be easy enough to rig that up.

The latest news I got was that my friend Mike, who
finished straightening out the boat, and left last
--forgot to close the forward hatch. The V-berth got
soaked, and the boat took on a fair amount of water.

The local who normally checks on the boat was off
visiting and not available to check on the boat. I feel
bad that James and I rushed out of there. I offered to
stay an extra day and sort things out and the owner
dissuaded me, wanting me to get home for
Thanksgiving. My mistake was bringing along a
fellow with no ocean experience and not enough
practical experience. he was so eager and had
done fine on several island charters--I thought he
would handle it better.

While James was a pain in the ass at times, I
really liked both his cooking and his iron stomach.
He was pretty good crew, albeit his sail trim needs
some improvement. I've heard some skippers only
choose crew with strong stomach's. It is not a bad
idea to have someone that has been tested a bit.

We all had a few laughs about Mike sea sickness,
even if it was no joke for him. We saw only three
ships, a container ship, a cruise ship and a Very
Large Crude Carrier. Mike looked at the cruise
ship like he wanted to get off. Sick as he was, I bet
he would have paid anything to get on that cruise
ship!

My feeling is you have to stand your watch no
matter how sick you feel. If you fold up and don't
even try, it just gives your mind more time to feel
sorry for yourself and you just feel sicker. It is far
better to puke on your shoes a few times than to
lay in your bunk dizzy and weak.

Next time I plan to bring some Ambien. I think a
mind numbing sleep aid will prevent sea sickness.