After a successful 5393 nm journey to the Exuma's and back LaVida is planning a trans-Atlantic voyage next spring.
Depending on weather, we are leaving Lake Ontario early, early May and heading out the St. Lawrence, catching the Maritimes on the way, then either the difficult North Passage via Iceland and the Faroes or via the Azores, whichever makes better sense at the time of entering the Atlantic.
Arrival either N.Ireland or N. Scotland and then the Irish Sea, rounding England and up to Europe. Returning end of season or possibly the next season.
This could be a difficult passage, especially the Northern route, so we are looking for experienced blue water sailors who have the temperment to live on a small boat for extended periods of time. Blue water references given and asked for.
I'm also seeking info, chats with other skippers or crew who have made this voyage before, especially the northern route.
More info via email or emial me for my phone number.
In the meantime LaVida is beginning her refit for the voyage, as we write.
thanks in advance,
mike ritenour
Capt. of S.V. LaVida
CD33
Hull # 40
LaVida@seascan.com
Trans-Atlantic Crew Wanted-Spring 01
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Larry DeMers
Re: Trans-Atlantic Crew Wanted-Spring 01
Hi Mike,
I am acting as weather disseminator/satellite arranger/routing helper for a crew of now 3 individuals that are on the way from Duluth, Mn. to Bergen, Norway. They left Lake Superior around the 10th of May, and are currently trying to reach St. Johns, Newfoundland, after dropping off their 4th crewmember in Hallifax, Nova Scotia. THe trip has been awful so far. They left without the proper window, and encountered 20-30 kts., of E, NE winds for the entire time so far. There were at one time 4 Lows and 2 Highs within the Wxfax view of the N. Atlantic.
Now the crew on Rongevaer will be departing St. Johns for the Shetland Isl., then Bergen, Norway.
Lessons learned so far. Get EXTREMELY familiar with the Wxfax, the frequencies used (whether satellite fed or via HF shortwave..recommend the former by a long shot!). It is the most important piece of gear on the boat (surprised?). Get professional help with routing. We have Herb Hilgenberg (now) as well as Jenifer Clarks Gulf Stream Analysis to back us up. You will also need a way to communicate the routing. We use Orbcomm, which is a so-so service that provides a palm sized box with LCD that holds perhaps 4-5 lines of characters, with maybe 20 characters per line. All messages are satellite relayed, and the picking of the satellite to use is an art almost. You will be limited to 184 characters per transmission. The radio is battery powered..ships batteries. But these also wear down, and would need charging..solar cells need sun, which is not likely to ever come out while up that far north, so don't allow anyone to access the satellite unless they have vital info. We had the girlfriend of the owner e-mailing poetry to the crew..13 messages were piled up waiting for downloading last I checked.
THe route that I would recommend without hesitation is the southern route through the Azores. Plan on a stopover there of 1-2 weeks, and enjoy the islands and the people. They love mariners, are a marine society themselves, and are of Portugese decent. Check out the Cafe Sport while there..they will do anything to make your stay better. Check out the seawall in Horta..ships form 150 years ago until today are given a 1 yard sq. area to draw the likeness of their boat and something about their trip so far. THere are thousands and thousands of these murals to appreciate, from Chichester and Pardey, to Dashew and Roth, to Shakleton and Moistessier. Your seafaring forefathers came there and marked their spot. You could too.
Write me Mike, if you would like more than this..
The Rongevaer trip is on the web at: http://www.seans.com/Rongevaer/Rongevaer.htm
Cheers!
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
demers@sgi.com
I am acting as weather disseminator/satellite arranger/routing helper for a crew of now 3 individuals that are on the way from Duluth, Mn. to Bergen, Norway. They left Lake Superior around the 10th of May, and are currently trying to reach St. Johns, Newfoundland, after dropping off their 4th crewmember in Hallifax, Nova Scotia. THe trip has been awful so far. They left without the proper window, and encountered 20-30 kts., of E, NE winds for the entire time so far. There were at one time 4 Lows and 2 Highs within the Wxfax view of the N. Atlantic.
Now the crew on Rongevaer will be departing St. Johns for the Shetland Isl., then Bergen, Norway.
Lessons learned so far. Get EXTREMELY familiar with the Wxfax, the frequencies used (whether satellite fed or via HF shortwave..recommend the former by a long shot!). It is the most important piece of gear on the boat (surprised?). Get professional help with routing. We have Herb Hilgenberg (now) as well as Jenifer Clarks Gulf Stream Analysis to back us up. You will also need a way to communicate the routing. We use Orbcomm, which is a so-so service that provides a palm sized box with LCD that holds perhaps 4-5 lines of characters, with maybe 20 characters per line. All messages are satellite relayed, and the picking of the satellite to use is an art almost. You will be limited to 184 characters per transmission. The radio is battery powered..ships batteries. But these also wear down, and would need charging..solar cells need sun, which is not likely to ever come out while up that far north, so don't allow anyone to access the satellite unless they have vital info. We had the girlfriend of the owner e-mailing poetry to the crew..13 messages were piled up waiting for downloading last I checked.
THe route that I would recommend without hesitation is the southern route through the Azores. Plan on a stopover there of 1-2 weeks, and enjoy the islands and the people. They love mariners, are a marine society themselves, and are of Portugese decent. Check out the Cafe Sport while there..they will do anything to make your stay better. Check out the seawall in Horta..ships form 150 years ago until today are given a 1 yard sq. area to draw the likeness of their boat and something about their trip so far. THere are thousands and thousands of these murals to appreciate, from Chichester and Pardey, to Dashew and Roth, to Shakleton and Moistessier. Your seafaring forefathers came there and marked their spot. You could too.
Write me Mike, if you would like more than this..
The Rongevaer trip is on the web at: http://www.seans.com/Rongevaer/Rongevaer.htm
Cheers!
Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30
Mike Ritenour wrote: After a successful 5393 nm journey to the Exuma's and back LaVida is planning a trans-Atlantic voyage next spring.
Depending on weather, we are leaving Lake Ontario early, early May and heading out the St. Lawrence, catching the Maritimes on the way, then either the difficult North Passage via Iceland and the Faroes or via the Azores, whichever makes better sense at the time of entering the Atlantic.
Arrival either N.Ireland or N. Scotland and then the Irish Sea, rounding England and up to Europe. Returning end of season or possibly the next season.
This could be a difficult passage, especially the Northern route, so we are looking for experienced blue water sailors who have the temperment to live on a small boat for extended periods of time. Blue water references given and asked for.
I'm also seeking info, chats with other skippers or crew who have made this voyage before, especially the northern route.
More info via email or emial me for my phone number.
In the meantime LaVida is beginning her refit for the voyage, as we write.
thanks in advance,
mike ritenour
Capt. of S.V. LaVida
CD33
Hull # 40
demers@sgi.com
-
Joana
Re: Larry
Hi Larry,
You'll have to forgive my national pride but being portuguese I feel I must say that the Azores (or Acores as we say it) ARE Portugal. They are our islands along with Madeira. They are not portuguese descent and am not sure how they'd react to that statement. We portuguese tend to be a little touchy on national issues ;o)
Anyway, just thought I'd let you know.
We actually met briefly once. I'm married to Sean Sexton - he set up the Rongevaer site.
Bye!
Joana
mont0201@tc.umn.edu
You'll have to forgive my national pride but being portuguese I feel I must say that the Azores (or Acores as we say it) ARE Portugal. They are our islands along with Madeira. They are not portuguese descent and am not sure how they'd react to that statement. We portuguese tend to be a little touchy on national issues ;o)
Anyway, just thought I'd let you know.
We actually met briefly once. I'm married to Sean Sexton - he set up the Rongevaer site.
Bye!
Joana
mont0201@tc.umn.edu