Monthly Archives: October 2015

Sailors Run’s Last Restless Night On The Mooring. Oct. 30th 2015

This is the night before the “Beginning” of the greatest adventure of my life.

I and Sailors Run alone will escape into the scape of the sea. The thought of doing this and living large with nature on her turf excites me.

If you think weather is a science or known quantity possibly you might want to think again, as I have never found two days of sailing in the elements of nature ever the same.

I have stripped Sailors Run of nearly all unnecessary tonnage in hopes of achieving the best performance possible from her. Having said that, now I must admit the weight of 7-months of provisions has nearly negated the gain. I can only hope that I can eat my way into the performance realm that I sooooo desire.

On the last day here in Bahia Caraquez, Ecuador, I was able to further lighten Sailors Run by removal of the  18hp outboard, dinghy, several heavy teak interior doors and another 100 + pounds of decorations and all of this was possible as we have good friends in David and Judy whom formerly sailed their Sloop Revenir here many times and are building a beautiful home just out of Bahia on the water..

All weight is now out of the bow and anchors are stowed aft and the chain has been placed lowdown in the bilge amidships. So now Sailors Run will ride up over the waves rather than submarine through them.

Debbie and I have had our last conversation for the next 5-6 months and we are both feeling a lot of emotions and she seemed fearful and a bit choked up. Sometimes I get the feeling that I’m standing next to a raging river that I must soon enter, and knowing that river will surely take me to my limits I have yet to ever experience.
They say if you love doing something, do it with passion even if it kills you, as after all something is going to kill you anyway.

I assured Debbie I will return safely and sail safe, as I could here in her voice that she was attempting to remain brave, as for me I have not done anything yet, nor been challenged, so it is hard for me to feel anxiety at this point; I’m sure I will have my opportunities in the future.

I’m a lucky man to have Debbie in my corner, and she is a great promoter of my book” Cape Horn: Ahead or Behind Forever on My Mind” I should mention at this time that it makes a great Christmas gift and the proceeds that we receive go towards keeping the adventures coming.
Now you might well imagine that from harbor to harbor you can’t find a barber, so were posting a picture on our blog of how I look now and hopefully will have the how I look after this adventure, in another 6-months.

Tonight I’m excited and hoping to get my very last full night’s sleep, for many months to come. I have Pedro the pilot arriving about 6am to get us safely out across the bar. Tripp from Puerto Amistad will be with us to be my official starter. I must also say my time here at Puerto Amistad has been wonderful and I feel like I have an extended Ecuadorian family here. The boat has been safe for nearly 6-months and no vessels have broken their moorings during my stay. The security is much improved from the recent past.

Tomorrow I believe even at the early hour of 6am, that many people will be on the beach and in their Condos waving and bidding me fair winds and “Great Sailing”.

Debbie is going to keep the Blog up to date and will be posting photos of the start, assuming someone gets them to her and I will be sending out an adventure every three days to keep all informed as to what is going on aboard the Sailor Run, including daily runs, weather and sea conditions. This will happen as long as the radio keeps working. I’m hoping that Debbie will pull up some of our photos of past adventures around the world and share them with you as part of these three day installments

I love to hear from each of you       Remember the Blog site for updates on- www.sailorsrun.com
Your Amigos, Jeff & Debbie-SV/Sailors Run

Is this enough for a sailor to sail around the world or just the tip of the "Iceberg"?

Is this enough Rum for a sailor to sail around the world or just the tip of the “Iceberg”?

The beginning of my food preparation

The beginning of my food preparation

The food just keeps coming

The food just keeps coming

 

 

Drying out my potatoes and cabbage

Drying out my potatoes and cabbage

Going to need lots of powder milk,rice,pickles

Going to need lots of powder milk,rice,pickles

Looking at inside of boat towards back,oh yea more food on table

Looking at inside of boat towards back,oh yea more food on table

 

 

My pickled eggs I did myself

My pickled eggs I did myself

 

 

Am wrapping cabbage in newspaper so they keep fresh

Am wrapping cabbage in newspaper so they keep fresh

Compartments on starboard side of boat

Compartments on starboard side of boat

Sealing up my clothes to keep the moisture out

Sealing up my clothes to keep the moisture out

Notice the beer,but don't think this enough !!

Notice the beer,but don’t think this enough !!

 

 

Compartments on port side of boat

Compartments on port side of boat