NEW DAWN S/Y: December 2011

In 2010 we sailed in south France during the summer and by end August we sailed from Port Napoleon, France along the Spanish east coast and went to Gibraltar and La Ligne De Conseption, Spain.

On 19 September I sailed single handed from Gibraltar to Las Palmas, where we waited for the Atlantic crossing season. A number of jobs were done while at anchor to the north of Las Palmas Marina and it was interesting to experience the many crew seeking a lift to the Caribbean. I believe I met well over 45 candidates, but had already settled for two great crews in Adam and Will. A while later I also agreed to take on board Bernice and Huw.

On 20 November (the day before the ARC rally start) we sailed south and spend 4 days in Mindelo, Cap Verde and finally sailed into Rodney Bay, St Lucia, where I left New Dawn at a friends private pier and flew back home to Luxembourg arriving on 22 December.

End January Chris and I were back on board and visited the islands between Antigua and almost to Grenada, and when Chris flew back home from St Lucia, I sailed south and ended up in Trinidad in April where New Dawn was hauled out and were to remain during the Hurricane season (June to December).

By this time New Dawn has covered about 31.000 NM since we left the USA in 2003 and sailed most of the Mediterranean and done two Atlantic crossings.

The below shows a selection of photos from the 2010 west crossing of the Atlantic.

The only two sailing yachts encountered from Azores to Gibraltar.

Will.

Adam.

Burnise.

Huw.

Me trying to read emails in the sun.

Shopping delivered in Las Palma.

Whales playing around us.

A small visitor far out at sea.

On our way from Las Palmas to Mindelo, Cap Verde.

Trying to get a Mahi-Mahi on board.

A Turtle in the middle of the Atlantic.

Another Mahi-Mahi landed. We court thirteen on this crossing. Had to stop as the freezer was full.

A smaller one.

This was a good size Mahi-Mahi.

The Spinnaker is 217 m2.

And so it goes on.

Shopping in Las Palmas.

This fish was not hauled on board in time and some other fish boned it before we got it. Competition out here.

Well this is my home made lure and believe it or not it had great success, especially after we lost most of our (expensive) professional lures. I make it from a plastic water hose, and a few drawings and colours.

Dessert is ready; great imagination.

The crew is off to the island next to Mindelo.

A bit of rough weather at times......

The following are a few videos which should give an impression on how a long distance sailing is.

Arrived at Cuthbergh's private pier in St Lucia. I left New Dawn there so I could fly home for Christmas 2010.

One of my best photos of a Dolphin.

A water sprout nearing Las Palmas harbour.

The huge cruise ship Queen Elisabeth visiting Las Palmas.

This is what happens when you spread the word to the Norwegians, that there is a party on a yacht. Try to count the shoes on the pier and you will know how many were on-board.