Crossing to St Helena Island

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 How to prepare to cross an ocean on a 35 ft home built yacht.  We have done the work to the best of our knowledge.  Completely off the grid, producing energy with the sun, and harnessing the wind to move us along.  Time to trust our own good judgement, and John's weather reading skills!  Coming up was a week of fairly strong southerly wind and a week of gentle south easterly trade winds;  this will take us to St Helena in the middle of the Atlantic ocean.

The first week turned out to be very strong wind, gusting often, and rough sea swells.  Gale force wind arrived on the second day with waves breaking over the cockpit pouring into the cabin.  One breaking wave carried my potted herb plants which were tucked safely in the dodger, into the cabin, slamming them against the side above the chart table.  Wet black organic potting soil everywhere, over everything.  We were moving at max speed of 6 knots with a reefed jib, rolling from side to side.  The sun came out on day 5 with sea state easing.  What a relief!  Opportunity to make water and repair some equipment that had stopped working.

We were crossing a busy shipping lane with vessels Europe bound.  It was necessary to call up a few ships to check if they saw us.  Keeping an eye on passing ships was an activity.  The second week took us out of the busy lane, and no more traffic all the way to St Helena.  We did four hour shifts checking the AIS and route, adjusting the self-steering, and occasionally steering.

It seems that securing things on a moving boat is ongoing.  Besides things crashing and falling about, including ourselves, flying objects were dangerous projectiles.  One night I was on watch at the tiller trying to control the boat in a heavy swell.  John in the cabin felt something hit his head while he was sleeping.  It was a flying teaspoon.  It drew blood.

Second week was cloudy, and a gentle steady south easter, mostly.   Going to get to St Helena two days early.  On the last day the island appeared in the haze on the horizon at 11am.  Well done Captain John!.

Anchored at Jamestown 5pm.

Baked on a calm day, foccacia and muffins

 

The bay at St Helena


The Ladder at sunset

Jacob's Ladder 699 steps, great way to stretch legs after 12 days at sea


Canons everywhere, the defense history of the island

Mundens Hill, batteries up a hill

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