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2012 Jan 27th |
After Cape Bojeador encountered seas of up to 8 meters (choppy cross-sea) and winds up to 50 knots (from the north!) and had to sacrifice the destination of Batan Islands to go directly to Hongkong (the whole route under sails). Looking forward to visit an interesting city sooner than expected and having to do some minor repairs due to the heavy sea experienced. |
2012 Jan 24th |
Calm sail to Cape Bojeador and then hitting very heavy seas and strong winds. Probably will not make it to Batan Islands. |
2012 Jan 23th |
Glad to have gotten out of Manila with aching lungs & eyes (air pollution) sailed with calm winds mostly on the nose (from north) 279NM to Vigan. Interesting colonial city with many old houses. Apart from the cathedrals not very Spanish (build by Chinese that have now disappeared) and everything very run-down and touristic. Temperature was quite hot until here and is now cooling down slowly. |
2012 Jan 19th |
After spending a few nice and calm days swimming in Kota Kinabalu, arrived safely in Manila after sailing 628NM with moderate winds through calm waters. Weather is nice and hot. There is a lots to see in Manila but pollution (air & water) is enormous. |
2012 Jan 11th |
After an easy sail through lots of oil fields arrived in surprisingly beautiful Kota Kinabalu. |
2012 Jan 8th |
Arrived safely in Muara (Brunei) after sailing 777NM almost on one (port) tack with light to moderate winds (10 – 25 knots) through the South China Sea on full main sail, staysail and jib. Pretty rainy in the beginning and now in sunny skies. |
2010 Nov 1st |
After having sailed 616NM along the east coast of Sumatera including a near-collision with a big fisher boat (thereby loosing our starboard topping-lift) we now finally arrived in Singapore where this second leg ends (one day late on a nine months plan with the boat being in good condition). The remaining pics will be on the site by mid November. It has been a demanding, but great and rewarding journey, long and very diverse. We hope that you enjoyed sharing our adventures and views and hope to welcome you back on our next leg (Chinese and Japanese Seas). See the new Photographies! |
2010 Oct 27th |
Again quietly sailing 517NM with little wind and arrived well in Cirebon to see an old interesting city with the famous four palaces. |
2010 Oct 21th |
After quietly sailing 313NM with little wind along the north of the islands in an almost inland sea arrived well in Benoa (Bali). Looking forward to seeing the temples, the monkeys, the rice fields and the volcano. |
2010 Oct 18th |
Sailed 180NM in a quiet one-day sail and arrived in the incredibly beautiful islands of Rindja and Komodo. Strong colours, nice vegetation, shiny beaches and – of course – the wild Komodo Varan Dragons (up to 4m long at a speed of 30KM/h) that are fed with entire goats. |
2010 Oct 16th |
Sailed 728NM virtually without no wind in very calm seas with strong currents and in wonderful warm weather. Already looking forward to the Varan. |
2010 Oct 6th |
After a wonderful downwind sail of 762NM in hot and beautiful weather arrived in Kei Cecil. The distance to Singapore is getting shorter and we are feeling the end of this demanding but unique leg approaching. |
2010 Sep 26th |
Arrived well in Port Moresby after 464NM of great sailing (almost flying with day’s runs of over 245NM). Now the danger of attacks is increasing and all necessary precautions have been taken. |
2010 Sep 22th |
After a very nice sail of 319NM through the inner reef arrived well in Cairns. |
2010 Sep 18th |
After 330NM of great downwind sailing in the inner Barrier Reef in beautiful weather with good winds and spinnaker arrived well in Whitsunday Island. After seeing the world famous beach and sailing around the different islands we will head for Cairns and then Port Moresby (Papa New Guinea). |
2010 Sep 15th |
After 935NM against strong winds & strong tides arrived well at Lady Musgrave Island, a beautiful and almost perfect island in a coral reef and the beginning of the Great Barrier Reef. Sailing was good (14kts with trysail at one point) and having left the Tasman Sea and now being in the Coral Sea is very good too (nice temperatures & good snorkeling). |
2010 Sep 3th |
Puhh, arrived well shaken after sailing 1712NM through the Tasman Sea (further than over the Atlantic). That sea has a very, very bad reputation and it's more than deserved: MERRYMAID experienced two heavy weather systems with only short announcements, swells up to eight meters, winds up to 50kts that built up within minutes and thereby sailing under full main, 2nd reef or trysail (at one point sailing at 12kts with the storm trysail). Broken gaff halyard, torn jib top and lost of main engine were only some of the problems the crew had to fight with. |
2010 Aug 16th |
After sailing 1226NM in rough and stormy weather arrived well in Auckland. Besides the bad weather it's pretty cold. We will explore the islands by land, do lots of maintenance work and then move on to Sydney. |
2010 Aug 6th |
Sailing 872NM against the trade winds arrived safely in Tonga (next time Samoa - Tonga - Fiji - New Zealand). Islands are as beautiful as in Fiji and the weather is still very pleasant. |
2010 July 24th |
After 344NM sailing along the outer islands arrived safely in Suva (Fiji). The different anchorages we stayed were magnificent and the people are very nice. From here we sail on to Tonga to spend some days around the small islands. |
2010 July 15th |
After 615NM with moderate winds arrived safely in Savusavu (Fiji). Samoa (Western) was Garden Eden in vegetation with very nice people. Having lost a day on the way to Fiji (time change of plus 24 hours passing the 180° longitude westbound) was a strange experience, especially for the French chef, who is desperate about the disappearance of his beloved Quatorze Julliet. Plan is to sail around the beautiful islands and drink lots of kava with the chiefs. |
2010 July 5th |
After a nice short sail of 93NM in good weather with winds between 4 and 30kts well arrived in Apia (Samoa). Pago Pago was depressing. Although it could be a terrific natural harbour surrounded by high mountains it's become a completely run-down industrial place with no facilities for provisioning or anything else then a McDonalds and a Pizza Hut (Hotspot worked wonderfully, GSM not at all). |
2010 July 3th |
Arrived in Pago Pago (American Samoa) after 514NM with two days of almost no wind and two days of very strong winds. Impressive harbour surrounded by high mountains. |
2010 Jun 27th |
Arrived in Suvarov (Cook Islands) with fine sailing in good strong winds (up to 30kts) at high speeds and with lots of fetching - making 934NM in five days. Swell was high (2-3 meters but long enough and therefore not unpleasant - keeps the idler(s) among us fit). Weather is still fabulous (warm in the day and fresh at night) and the lagoon is beautiful but the entrance was tricky with winds up to 25kts. |
2010 Jun 16th |
Arrived in wonderful Bora Bora with 190NM of calm sailing after having spent a few maintenance days in Papeete and a few lazy days in beautiful Moorea. Planning to spend a week here and then move on to Suvarov (Cook Islands). |
2010 Jun 05th |
After 581NM sailing in light winds with spinnaker arrived in Papeete (Tahiti). The last 6447NM since Panama were difficult concerning supplies and repairs, but with the kind help of the locals (e.g. picking vegetables in the gardens of the Pitcairners), a good ship and a good crew everything went very well. We are planning on staying a week to explore Tahiti and then visiting the other Society Islands (Bora Bora etc.) and then continuing via the Cook Islands to Samoa. |
2010 May 26th |
After 608NM against headwinds or with no winds arrived in Amanu, one of the Tuamotu Islands. Passed through a narrow reef entrance and now anchored in the lagoon stern to shore with lines tied to palms. Water, weather, sand beaches and vegetation like in paradise. Planning on passing a few lazy days and having a beach party with our friends Jan and Eli from S/Y Jenny. |
2010 May 17th |
Finally after sailing 359NM arrived safely in the beautiful lagoon of Mangareva (Gambier Islands) after being held back for three days in Pitcairn for a low pressure system to pass and variable winds underway (12 to 30kts in one hour). Unfortunately lost an anchor in Pitcairn (first after 35000NM - not so bad), probably stuck in the wreck of the (HMS, before change of ownership) Bounty. Pitcairn was interesting, very friendly people (desperate for visitors to communicate with) on a very small island with no bay and no beach (mutiny doesn't pay!). |
2010 May 13th |
Arrived safely in the Pitcairn Island after a magnificent downwind sail (including spinnaker) of 1382NM and passing Ducie Island and Henderson Island (UNESCO World Heritage). Planning on a short visit and then proceeding to a safe anchorage in the Gambier Islands. Finally in the South Sea (called the Dangerous Archipelagos - lot's of history and currents)! While distances between the main navigation points still look huge there are a lot of beautiful little islands in-between for typical island-hoping and relaxing (and varnishing) in paradisiacal spots (Murorea will certainly be wonderfully radiant remembering the French nuclear tests). |
2010 April 25th |
Arrived safely in the Easter Island after having sailed 2025NM. Two tacks out of the archipelago, two slow days through the doldrums an then at the kind invitation of the SE trade winds flying through the South Pacific and therefore being one day early despite dying winds the last day. Looking forward to explore the island and then entering the South Sea (at 120°W). |
2010 April 12th |
After having spent twelve incredible days in the Galapagos Islands, swimming with sharks, whales, sea lions, marine iguanas, dolphins, giant sea turtles and thousands of other fishes, visiting land iguanas, red and blue feet boobies, giant land turtles, fregate birds, pelicans and thousand of other birds (most of the animals being endemic to the Galapagos) and seen wonderful different landscapes, we are now leaving for the Easter Island and hoping on a good one tack (port) sail in the SE trade winds to arrive around 26 April. |
2010 March 30th |
Safely arrrived in Puerto Baquerizo (Galapagos) after a fine sail of 944NM in wonderful weather. Thereby passing the equator (at 089° 12.07W) for the third time and this time giving Max and Marcin their compulsory baptism. Spending the next eight days visiting the island before leaving for Easter Island. |
2010 March 17th |
Safely arrived Panama after having sailed 219NM and been lazy in terrific Kuna Yala (San Blas), passed the impressive canal and spent one night in beautiful Lake Gatun. Preparing MERRYMAID for Galapagos and hopefully departing on 23 March. |
2010 March 4th |
Safely arrived in terrific San Blas Islands after having sailed 1095NM from George Town (Cayman Islands) - boring, to Port Antonio (Jamaika) - beautiful little spot, Kingston - interesting, Cristóbal (Panama) - very busy and Portobelo - very nice. San Blas Islands are terrific and beautiful and the Indians friendly. |
2010 Feb 10th |
Safely arrived in Georgetown (Cayman Islands) after one week in Cuba (Havana is great but run down) and having sailed 873NM via Isla de Juventud and Keyo Largo (wonderful sand beaches with palms). |
2009 Apr 12th |
After 878NM and having anchored in Tumaco (Checking in to Columbia) and Gorgonas (wonderful island and night diving) arrived in Panama City and thereby finishing the first Route totalling around 15'000NM with 95 days sailing including a perfect Atlantic Crossing and a impressive tour around South America. |
2009 Apr 02th |
Well arrived in Salinas (Ecuador) after having sailed 703NM through a very pacific ocean in nice & warm weather. |
2009 Mar 25th |
Well arrived in Callao - Lima (Peru) after having sailed 1571NM along the Chilean and Peruvian coast and having anchored in Arica. Wonderful coastline and wildlife including sailing through a rare "Red Tide". |
2009 Mar 11th |
Arrived safely in Valapraios after having sailed 707NM through the open Pacific with moderate winds up to 30kts mainly from SW and long waves up to 8Meter. |
2009 Mar 03th |
Well arriverd in Puerto Montt after having sailed 652NM through the Golfo de Penas and the Golfo the ultima Esperanza and having anchored in front of the glaciers Pio XI and Jorge Montt. |
2009 Feb 23th |
Well arrived in Puerto Eden after having sailed 334NM in impressive fjords and visited fabulous glaciers. |
2009 Feb 16th |
Well arrived in Puerto Natales after having sailed 491NM through beautiful channels and anchored in sweet bays with glaciers! Weather was rough and navigation difficult but exciting. |
2009 Feb 04th |
Safely arrived back in Puerto William after havings sailed 259NM to Cap Horn. Anchored in Puerto Toro, Puerto Jacobo, Caleta Leon and visited Cabo Hornos. Passage from West to East was in rough weather. Passage from East to West on a nice and calm day. |
2009 Jan 30th |
Leaving the Falklands on a safe setting the weather proved to be nice and calm and so 442NM to Puerto Williams (Chile) were sailed mostly under full sails, the engine required for short periods of time only (low winds). Impressive how the barometer went up and down from 981 to 991 within less than twenty-four hours. The famous Beagle canal is impressive. |
2009 Jan 22th |
Well arrived in Stanley ( Falkland Islands / Islas Malvinas) after having sailed 1638NM through the roaring forties (with winds between ten and fifty knots, mostly northerly & easterly!) & well into the Furious Fifties (good winds around thirty knots with high swell & very cold), while having anchored in Mar del Plata (not Punta del Este, but with Sea Lions & good shipyards) & Puerto Madryn in Golfo Nuevo (Orcas, sea lions, elephant seals & Magellanic penguins). Stanley is cold (air & water below 16°) but surprisingly interesting. |
2008 Dec 29th |
Well arrived in Buenos Aires after having sailed 1238NM and visited Baía da Ribeira (Paradisiac bay with impressive mountains & vegetation), Ilha Anchieta (Capivaras and Turtle Station), Porto Belo (Lunch on the beach in beautiful weather) and Punta del Este in Uruguay (Little Rio without crime & nice residential area & Sea Lions) |
2008 Dec 15th |
Safely arrived in Rio de Janeiro after having sailed 1096NM and anchored in and explored Rio Paraguaçu, Itaparica, Ilhéus, Arquipelago dos Abrolhos and Vitória. |
2008 Nov 19th |
After sailing 760NM in all, 690NM again on the same port tack under full sails and the last 70NM on starboard tack under engine, MERRYMAID has arrived in Salvador. Weather was favourable (sunsets indescribable, but fast) and spirits are high. Salvador is a great old city in a huge bay full of places to explore. At the same time, being the first stop having a good infrastructure, some changes on the rig and some maintenance on the electronics are planned. |
2008 Nov 1th |
Happily arrived in Ilha de Fernando de Noronha (Brazil) after having sailed 1426NM in perfect weather conditions (passing from northerly to southerly trade winds between 12kts and 30kts) of which 1100NM under sails (full main, stay, jib & top and replacing jibs with spinnaker with wind speeds under 20kts without using the autopilot once) achieving speeds of 12kts maximum. The doldrums between 7°N & 1°N made it necessary to use the engine for forty hours (total range 175h & 125h). Crew and passengers excited having crossed the equator under such good conditions. |