It has been a long time since my last post and here are some of the reasons:
A storm jib, I'll need that for my planned trip to Newport, RI, USA in 2022.
During the last four months I have been trying to get sea miles under my belt while completing preparations for JC 2022. The start date is 8th May 2022 and I still have almost 60 items on the to do list. I have closed out over 30 of the larger jobs including: additional winches, rigging overhaul, re-bedding windows, RF systems, electrical systems, replacement running rigging, ordering new sails, solar panels, weather proofing and sleeping / stowage arrangements.
My plans for the trip are in their early stages but I intend to follow a more southerly route so that I have ports of refuge such as Azores and Bermuda to run to rather than the shorter Northerly route. Ice and fog scare me and the storms are normally more frequent and severe on the northerly great circle route. My estimated passage duration is 40 days but this could well be longer.
Work left to do includes: fit and tune new sails, service and refit the Sea Feather self steering gear, strengthen the gooseneck fitting and generally secure the boat for offshore sailing.
