Donna Lange
 

I have not changed my mind, I still think she is nuts ............ But:
this is one tough woman! Holy ****!
Read the following. I got a lump of you know what just reading it, can't
imagine being in it.
================================================== ==============


1010UTC 0610est
Apr 16, 2007 Monday madness hugs!!!
update: AS I said, Alls well that ends well...I
am safe and sound...yet I have had a historically
rough night. The storm escalated to tropical storm
height..I was just in awe as the storm did not
go through but just intensified and intensified.
It was a brilliant ride and I was truly soaking
up the whole magnificence. I had been on deck
from the very beginning of the stronger winds around
2000UTC, but it went too far...It was after the
Commander weather router's suggested 0400UTC, when
the storm should pass and turn west, that it began
to deepen...Finally to where I was barepoled and
working with the steering vane, struggling to steer
a course with each stronger gust that came. the
godsend was that it was warm. I was soaked for
hours..We had taken many 'hits', the norm for growing
seas, engulfed stern, I had a bucket to help to
bail the cockpit, often literally filled above
the seats. The down below floor was being flooded
with water with each of these full hits as the
outer lockers still manage to lift with that much
water and it pours in. It was around 0600 that
we took more than a hit. A huge wave broke completely
over the port stern quarter, turned us fully on
our side, I was literally holding my breathe fully
underwater, holding onto the dodger frame with
all my life. It was only a few seconds and II
righted herself. Another wave crashed into the
stern.. It was time to stop... and get secured.
With so much wind and having been unsuccessful
with hoving to, I didn't want to chance trying
to raise the main and do the hove to dance. So
I turned to the sea anchor and got her rigged to
go. but unfortunately, i wasn't thorough in my
set up and once the parachute inflated, the force
on the line was tremendous,the line managed to
get snarled as it payed out despite my attempts.
I should have wrapped it around the winch so I
had control of the force of the water in the chute...I
dare say, the line out was only a small amount
of the 150' line. Ihad secured the bitter end.
but once the chute was out, there was no way to
add a line. I did use a cinch knot on the line
and was able to free up the tension on the cleat
but still found the knot too tight and the cinch
let go..I had rigged a bridle but was not able
to use the extension rope as I say. Realizing
that the shorter rhode seemed to be working, I
let it go. the lines were strewn. The dodger flapping
in the wind as the whole bottom edge had come apart
and could no longer be secured. I am concerned
that with all the forces on the steering vane with
my attempts to 'help her', I may have damaged the
mechanism that transfers the energy from the vane
to the inner quadrant. that will be a big question
when I get going this morn. Once I had the anchor
set, I headed below. Exhausted from 10 hours on
deck, dealing with the conditions... the boat
was a shambles. I had not really thought about
what the essential knock down, or capsize had done
below. All the big stuff was secure but every
little bit that was in any other thing, was all
over. It was quite funny to see where things landed.
There was so much force, it flung powdered milk
across the whole boat and onto the ceiling handrail.
There is milk powder every where. But no harm
done. An hour later, all the bits and pieces were
in some home. and I was getting out of my soaked
clothes. Drinkin a hot tea. and stil just quiet
inwardly. I had been through the whole night.
I just kept moving and doing what needed to be
done.. I have resisted questioning my judgment,
and beatiing myself up for being so persistent
towards wanting to go home...The storm intensity
was not expected by the routers either, at least
not for the length of time...they suggested gusts
to 70kn but not sustained winds that high. And
Iam sure they were that high. they are still screaming
at nearly 50 and the seas 25 feet, but not really
breaking. but the other factor is the cold. With
the shift to west wind, the temp dropped drastically
to nearer the 55*mark and is nearly 50* this morning.
It will be a different day out there today. Iam
procrastinating only long enough to do the log,
yet as I speak a huge gust just came up that is
still in the 50+ maybe 60kn range. It is wild...I
may not be able to get underway. I need to get
the anchor retrieved if I can. I will need to
sail or drive up onto it as the line I normally
used for a trip line managed to not be with it..It
is formidable out there. Once moving it may be
better, but I am not sure I can even fly sail...
As this gust comes up I am questioning.. I may
just have to lay here a bit longer. We have been
safe though the movement is harsh rolly. There
are blue patches of sky. Maybe once the sun is
up, it will settle down and warm up. I got 2 sets
of clothes wet yesterday...But the hardest is that
my bed got soaked. When we rolled on the side,
water does make its way through the wood slats
and top companionway hatch...Overall, all is fine
if the wind steering hasn't been damaged. It will
take a bit to get the deck cleaned up. i did lose
2 jugs of water, bt I have plenty.

I listened to Herb give a forecast for the coast
yesterday afternoon and there are 4 back to back
fronts still coming off the coast this next 10
days. there will be little easing to the conditions.
It is winter...sooo...Yes I have cried. I just
want to go home...Now I am a sentimental woman...I
have had enough, but have only hard sailing ahead.
But I will get home...One moment at a time.

I tried to update the Bermuda Rescue but their
phone did not work...I will email them with this
log...Again, all is safe. the boat is secure and
hanging nicely on the sea anchor. it is not too
rough. My mom is putting more minutes on my phone.
At this point I will be looking for input. I
will do a grib file... look for some direction
to go. Or just wait here until the conditions
moderate. If I do, I will have to find a way to
reinforce the anchor..I doubt the seastate will
become any more dangerous though it is not subsiding..so..I
don't have a phone number for the commander weather
fellow, george. If he calls I will get his input
on what is going on...

as I said earlier, they are going to have to name
all the D tropical storms after me after this one....April...

I will update again this afternoon. Again, the
working of the steering vane is paramount to my
existence out here. without it, Iwill be at the
till until I get home...we'll hope.

Thank you all so so for your prayers. I trust
all for all that has happened. I am certainly
not the person who left RI 1 1/2years ago. but
some things don't change, like that old stubborn
streak. I am happy and still thrilled ot be experiencing
all that seems to be my path. One of these days
life will not seem to push so hard. I will find
out my options at this point. No worries and maybe
no hurries this morn...it is really wild..

biggest hugs to all. oxoxoxo d

---------------------------

Donna Lange
 

Kinda puts your angst about picking up moorings singlehanded in perspective
doesn't it:)

--
Roger Long

Donna Lange
 

Roger ,, when Donna comes in from where-ever she probably picks up the
mooring with her teeth!

Hey,, when are you splashing? I know your way way way ahead of me! I
haven't done jack because of the weather.

====

"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
Kinda puts your angst about picking up moorings singlehanded in
perspective doesn't it:)

--
Roger Long

Donna Lange
 

NE Sailboat wrote:

Hey,, when are you splashing? I know your way way way ahead of me! I
haven't done jack because of the weather.

I could go in tomorrow if necessary except for swapping the mast head light
as long as I stick to my original plan to haul and paint later. I have a 2
May launch reservation but I'm thinking of putting it off till late May to
have plenty of time to install the Cape Horn, save some money by painting
myself, and doing some other optional projects in the comfort of the yard.
We're planning some long trips so getting the boat in good shape seems to
make more sense at this point than squeezing in every possible sailing day.

I wish I'd taken the shrink wrap off so the boat was getting pressure washed
by all this rain. It's also painful to watch it whipping in the wind and
straining the lifeline stanchions.

--
Roger Long

Donna Lange
 

On Apr 16, 6:33 am, "NE Sailboat" wrote:
I have not changed my mind, I still think she is nuts ............ But:
this is one tough woman! Holy ****!




Now compare all that you have read from skip and lydia and remember
their boat is TWICE the size she is sailing.

Donna Lange
 

Huum... interesting point.. my guess: Skip and Lydia aren't nuts.

So, after close scientific study .. if you are nuts, and sailing in a
hurricane, you will survive.

If you are normal and sailing along the coast of Florida ,, you will go
aground and sink.


==============
"Bob" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Apr 16, 6:33 am, "NE Sailboat" wrote:
I have not changed my mind, I still think she is nuts ............ But:
this is one tough woman! Holy ****!




Now compare all that you have read from skip and lydia and remember
their boat is TWICE the size she is sailing.

Donna Lange
 

On Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:53:12 GMT, "NE Sailboat"
wrote:

Huum... interesting point.. my guess: Skip and Lydia aren't nuts.

So, after close scientific study .. if you are nuts, and sailing in a
hurricane, you will survive.

If you are normal and sailing along the coast of Florida ,, you will go
aground and sink.

LOL. I was thinking along those lines myself.

--Vic

Donna Lange
 

NE Sailboat wrote:
Huum... interesting point.. my guess: Skip and Lydia aren't nuts.

So, after close scientific study .. if you are nuts, and sailing in a
hurricane, you will survive.

If you are normal and sailing along the coast of Florida ,, you will go
aground and sink.


==============
"Bob" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Apr 16, 6:33 am, "NE Sailboat" wrote:
I have not changed my mind, I still think she is nuts ............ But:
this is one tough woman! Holy ****!



Now compare all that you have read from skip and lydia and remember
their boat is TWICE the size she is sailing.



Why do you equate going aground with sinking? Very few groundings result
in the vessel sinking? I sail in Florida year round and have go aground
a couple of times in a marked channel that had shoaled but I didn't sink.
krj

Donna Lange
 

Well then :::: since going aground does not mean sinking especially if in
Florida ..

The new and improved answer to the scientific question .. is:

When in Florida, never leave the dock. When in a hurricane, never have
anyone but Donna Lange at the helm.

And if you bump into Skip and Lydia ,,, they probably are both drunk, lost,
and its your fault.


====

Science is such a tough subject.


===========================
"krj" wrote in message
...
NE Sailboat wrote:
Huum... interesting point.. my guess: Skip and Lydia aren't nuts.

So, after close scientific study .. if you are nuts, and sailing in a
hurricane, you will survive.

If you are normal and sailing along the coast of Florida ,, you will go
aground and sink.


==============
"Bob" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Apr 16, 6:33 am, "NE Sailboat" wrote:
I have not changed my mind, I still think she is nuts ............ But:
this is one tough woman! Holy ****!



Now compare all that you have read from skip and lydia and remember
their boat is TWICE the size she is sailing.



Why do you equate going aground with sinking? Very few groundings result
in the vessel sinking? I sail in Florida year round and have go aground a
couple of times in a marked channel that had shoaled but I didn't sink.
krj

Donna Lange
 

Charlie,,, I just looked and she posted that she was at Lat 32* N .. 69* w.

She is 5* lat west of Bermuda..

And the wind is blowing from the south/southwest toward Bermuda.

Would seem to me that she could make it to Bermuda ..

But.. I'm not out in the middle of it.


And damn glad I'm not.


=======================
"Charlie Morgan" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 16 Apr 2007 16:00:58 -0400, krj wrote:

NE Sailboat wrote:
Huum... interesting point.. my guess: Skip and Lydia aren't nuts.

So, after close scientific study .. if you are nuts, and sailing in a
hurricane, you will survive.

If you are normal and sailing along the coast of Florida ,, you will go
aground and sink.


==============
"Bob" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Apr 16, 6:33 am, "NE Sailboat" wrote:
I have not changed my mind, I still think she is nuts ............
But:
this is one tough woman! Holy ****!



Now compare all that you have read from skip and lydia and remember
their boat is TWICE the size she is sailing.



Why do you equate going aground with sinking? Very few groundings result
in the vessel sinking? I sail in Florida year round and have go aground
a couple of times in a marked channel that had shoaled but I didn't sink.
krj

Going aground sinks a lot of boats. So does careless maintenance. FWIW,
Donna
Lange lost her sea anchor this afternoon, so her list of options has
radically
changed. She's headed for Bermuda.

CWM

Donna Lange
 

Should have written 5* longitude west of Bermuda..

==

285 miles ?? Humm.. well, she does have the wind at her back, or quarter.
I don't know the sea condition.. if the storm is subsiding
then the sea should start to quiet down..

Said on Bermuda weather site that the wind is south, southeast..

But it is blowing hard.

She is two days out ,, that is my figuring. But as she approaches the
weather and sea will get better..

Wow...

====

Did she not know that this weather was approaching? And if she knew, why
didn't she stay south of the front..

crazy,,

==
"Charlie Morgan" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:37:42 GMT, "NE Sailboat"
wrote:

Charlie,,, I just looked and she posted that she was at Lat 32* N .. 69*
w.

She is 5* lat west of Bermuda..

And the wind is blowing from the south/southwest toward Bermuda.

Would seem to me that she could make it to Bermuda ..

But.. I'm not out in the middle of it.


And damn glad I'm not.


Website says Bermuda is about 285 miles east. The biggest factor right now
is
her own condition. She must be completely exhausted. That can make big
trouble
out of nothing.

CWM

Donna Lange
 

"NE Sailboat" wrote

Did she not know that this weather was approaching? And if she knew, why
didn't she stay south of the front..

I've been reading her reports daily since just before Cape Horn and it's
interesting to follow her thinking. She could have easily been in Bermuda
before the storm but didn't want to extend the length of her trip. She had
weather reports but thought, how bad could it be after the roaring 40's?
She was basically making some of the same judgement errors as S&L which
shows how much less forgiving rocks are than waves.

The kind of voyage she is making is much easier in some ways than coastal
crusing and much harder than others. Despite all the miles behind her, I
wouldn't charter her my boat for a cruise along the coast of Maine. That
takes a lot more navigation and piloting skill as well as boat handling in
confined waters. She still doesn't have the experience for that. Offshore
sailing generally requires less skill but the toughness to keep functioning
in extreme fatigue and apalling conditions are absolutely essential. You
can get the skill with experience but the toughness is harder to come by.
You have it or you don't which is why so many are banging on keyboards
talking about cruising instead of being out there. Skill in offshore sailing
is a big factor at times. With more experience, she probably would still be
riding on her sea anchor. Still, this mistake just means she has lost an
option. She isn't banging on rocks.

My concern for her now is making the landfall in Bermuda. She will be
coming from the direction of the extensive reefs that she could hit before
getting any good visual references. She carries few charts and may not even
have one for a place she didn't plan to visit. She managed to run into
South America (which she presumably knew was the). If it were not for
the extensive kelp beds and padding it provided against the rocks, the story
would have ended there.

--
Roger Long

Donna Lange
 

What mistake?

Well, as an engineer, I know that objective data can look quite different
depending on your mindset when you start looking at it.

If you look at your weather reports in terms of your schedule, you are very
apt to come up with a different answer than if you look at your schedule in
terms of the weather reports.

--
Roger Long

Donna Lange
 

Roger ,, I'm not sure but I think it is the Pardey's who wrote something to
the effect:

Cruising under sail is getting from one place to the next as pleasantly as
possible.. or at least that was the meaning of their thoughts.

Could be wrong on the author .. but the thinking seems to be sound.


While I admire Donna's toughness, I also think she is reckless. She isn't
the first sailor to sail around the globe. Many have done it.
Most have a crew. And most of the sailors who are off cruising around the
globe watch the weather, the seasons, and plan accordingly.

No one would set out during hurricane season to cross the Atlantic, it would
be crazy. The smart sailor waits, plans according to the season and
weather. Then heads off for a safe pleasant trip.

I almost seems to me as if Donna wants to push her boat and herself to the
edge, so her accomplishment of arriving is considered a
major accomplishment, not just a pleasant cruise.

Watching and reading of her near disaster sailing is getting tiresome.

I do hope she gets to Bermuda .. and then calls it quits.

===========================================


"Roger Long" wrote in message
...
What mistake?

Well, as an engineer, I know that objective data can look quite different
depending on your mindset when you start looking at it.

If you look at your weather reports in terms of your schedule, you are
very apt to come up with a different answer than if you look at your
schedule in terms of the weather reports.

--
Roger Long