Hello all,
Had some drama. On Nuts I had 4 devices for photos and video and was busy consolidating all the images and video onto my home computer. My ancient brain had a fart and I managed to delete all the video and photos of the last few days of my trip. Only managed to recover some screenshots of Windy Weather downloaded on the Starlink on the last day before my month was up and refused to pay another 300 euros for maybe 1 day use.
Weather forecast for my last day.
Ages since updating the blog so trying to remember how.
The last few days of the trip were very hectic motion wise. There was a big depression passing over the Azores and I was approaching the outlying shallow banks which play havoc with the sea state. I decided to slow down a bit so the wind would be from the west when I arrived at Horta instead of the SE to S. That would put me on a lee shore for the entrance into the harbor and marina. With wind from the west you can tuck around the corner and get into a lee.
I put out about 60m of knotted rope with 3m of 8mm chain on the end to keep it down. That was tied onto a bridle on the stern that was adjustable to change the trailing angle. That made it possible to steer about 30 degrees each side. The waves were not too big - maybe only 4 to 5 m- but very steep with the occasional crash onto the stern. Never a problem and my homebrew windvane worked like a champ. The tiller pilot was removed and safely stored below. Speed down to under 2 kts and slept like a baby jammed onto the floor with lots of bean bags.
My Starlink subscription expired on the 26th of the month and didnt renew it. I hoisted my mobile phone up the mast in a plastic bag because of the pissing rain (with a down haul) with the hotspot activated and got internet from 40nm out. I had just crossed over Princess Alice bank.
Lots of birds and dolphins around so I knew I was close to home. Also saw some tuna busting the surface so there must have been plenty of bait fish around.
I was pretty tired with little sleep and didnt want to sail into the island so hammered Mrs Bart's coffee all night to keep me awake. (That has happened in the Azores many times!!)
I am pissed off that I have lost my last days photos. It was pretty impressive sailing past the airport in 4m swells and nipping around Monte Guia to mount the outboard engine and entering the harbour.
I was very humbled to get many horns blowing from cruising yachts anchored out and an amazing reception from family and friends. (I think many of the yachts had seen me in the Caribbean)
Some thoughts from my adventure.
1. To sail on a very small boat alone you have to be very comfortable in your mind with yourself.
2. You have to have self confidence in your abilities and self reliance.
3. You have to have confidence in your boat.
4. You must prepare to the best of your ability.
5. You must be prepared for extreme discomfort
6. Be prepared for not the most tasty food
7. Going for a crap in a storm is a challenge
8.When the shit hits the fan throw the fan overboard!
Some other thoughts and experiences.--
I spent 7 months living in my little Setka Nuts. I never felt claustrophobic but that is just me. My big problem is I never got enough exercise and my body suffered. I probably ate more healthy than at home and felt very good at the end of my adventure. Once home I went crazy in the garden and fell apart. My knees gave up and elbows swelled up. Im getting back to normal now and using an exercise bicycle to get slowly back to normal (for an old fart).
The best things...
Met some amazing people. The other sailors in the challenge were amazing. From very different backgrounds but all with the dream of a challenge and had the balls to do it. Also the other sailors (and others) in the destinations visited that were blown away by us adventurers in the tiny Setka. Arrive in St Maarten in a 40ft cat and nobody blinks an eye. Arrive in a Setka and every dinghy stops by with an invite!!
What is in the pot boiling at the moment?
I have got this tiny Setka sitting in the marina in Horta doing nothing. (AIS still blinking away) The market to sell here is about zero. I have spent over 10k to build. I have had more than 10k's worth of pleasure so have nothing owing. I turn 70 in January and that is my 3 score and 10.
Every day after that is a bonus!! Mrs Nuts is also a sailor and adventurer but in the retirement mode. She has given me the green light to be nuts again if I want. I think I will be Nuts again!!!!!!!!!!!!
Watch this space!
Good sailing to the next Setka adventurers that are on their way right now! I will be following.