Here's the latest update to our plans in terms of locations and dates. As always, anything more than one or two stops ahead is very subject to change!!
-Jim
View Morpheus Cruise Plan in a larger map
Morpheus was designed by Carl Schumacher, built by Davie Norris Boatbuilders in New Zealand and launched in 2002. She spent her first 18 months cruising the South Pacific before reaching her home port of San Francisco. Since that time, Morpheus has been raced and cruised extensively. This blog will document her ongoing adventures.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Random Thoughts...
- Another Northerly has blown in. Its a bit bumpy out here in the harbor and once again we can't get to shore. Going a bit "crazy" stuck on the boat! Should be better by midday tomorrow. Either that or we move!
- For those of you counting i'ts 1406 nautical miles from here to the entrance to the Great Salt Pond on Block Island!
- Does the book War and Peace ever end?? I started it in California and am still only 2/3's of the way through it.
Video of the Day
After hearing all the horror stories about leaving Panama, reinforced tradewinds, etc., Deb and I were pretty concerned about our pending passage North from the San Blas Islands. At the very last minute, when all other options were gone, my brother Bob came through for us and joined us for the trip.
Huge thank you's to you Bob. And, we hope you enjoyed the trip!
- Jim and Deb
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
From the San Blas Islands......Hi Mom!!
Bob tried to say hello as well, but being the younger brother his island was not as large and he just couldn't pull it off!!
Can't Get Bob to Shore!!!
Brother Bob was to have left today, but when we got in the dinghy and drove towards shore we could not find a single dock that didn't have waves breaking over or almost over it. Tried one spot and were almost flipped by an extra large set of waves.
Decided to try to dinghy Bob around to the South side of the island. Only 5 miles away, but the large swells and breaking waves on the sandbars and barrier reef turned us back after about 4 miles. We started listing the number of reasons why this was a stupid thing to have tried and thinking through the list of things that could go wrong on the slow trip back upwind to the boat. It wasn't pretty.
So, now Bob is still with us and hour after his plane was to have left, and there is no way in to shore to watch the game. Guess I'll just have to be entertained by the waves breaking so near Morpheus, and be thankful for a good mooring.
Good to have Bob for another day...
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Saturday, January 22, 2011
Bob was here!!!!
Have you ever been picked up at the airport in a dingy?
Well that is how brother Jim met me at El Porvenir airport in the San Blas islands. Culture shock was just beginning. While some previous visitors had departed from this island which is landing strip from waters edge on each side, I was the first to land here
Since my main purpose was to assist on the next leg of the voyage to lands still undecided I received the readers digest abbreviated tour of the San Blas. Beer before 1000 seemed like a good idea although it was 0700 my time. We moved to their favorite set of islands, anchored and then got in the dingy to visit the favorite islands and sand bars with Ita leading the charge.
We left Rum Island for last and thankfully I had restocked the rum supply.
Next morning was voyage prep time. In a daze of jet lag, alcohol, and sea sick meds I started our voyage. How many people get in their vehicle and drive for 2 days before they decide where they are going. That's what we did, we had four potential destinations, but ultimately Grand Cayman was chosen because we could get there comfortably.
Comfort was the overriding theme of the voyage, not speed. This was a hard concept for me having spent most of my time on Morpheus driving her hard to win the race, but this race was to be won by the boat not breaking and the crew being happy. Three hour watches followed by six hours of watch. "Auto" drove so the only real responsibility on watch was look out and to keep everyone comfortable. If the ride is too bumpy slow down and sail with main alone. Morpheus has a hard time with slow though because even with a double reefed main alone we easily made close to six knots.
As with most trips on Morpheus she likes to arrive in the wee hours of the morning and this trip was no exception anchored around 0400. After a short nap we awoke and found four cruise ships anchored within a mile of us. How did they sneak in when we were sleeping?
The next three days were spent exploring the islands(got lost in a mangrove park), the bars, and the duty free shops. Oh and also pointing out the definite cruise ship folks. Every morning at 0800 the island population swells by 8,000 to 12,000 cruise folks for duty free shopping.
Tomorrow is go home day. After arriving home I have 8 hours to sleep and transition back to a working man. What will shoes and socks feel like. Also not to sweat off your body weight daily?
Next morning was voyage prep time. In a daze of jet lag, alcohol, and sea sick meds I started our voyage. How many people get in their vehicle and drive for 2 days before they decide where they are going. That's what we did, we had four potential destinations, but ultimately Grand Cayman was chosen because we could get there comfortably.
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| Note the name of the road! |
Something to hold you over...
Anyway, once my brother is gone things will slow down and I will try to catch up. In the meantime here are a few pictures from the San Blas Islands to give you and idea of what we've been doing.
-Jim
A few pictures from the San Blas Islands
Ita's in boat jail in the Caymen's
Hello All: My turn to do a blog entry, so here we go. I have my Coffee (Thank You Bob & Lynn B. for the Pete's resupply) and since it's 6am, I can get to the computer, especially since Jim was up way past 2am catching up on 3 weeks of not having any internet.)
Well, we did in fact make it to the Cayman Islands, safe and sound, after a very easy, yet 45 degree angle 4 day sail. The wind was an average of 15 knots, the main was double reefed, and we just cruised up wind at 7 - 8 knots the whole way. Living at a 45 degree angle for days on end isn't the most fun, but we were dry and safe. Thanks be that Uncle Bob was with us, or the weather gods would have sent us nasty weather instead. We ran an experiment on the way. We turned off the Otto auto pilot, locked the wheel, and let the boat drive herself. She swayed a bit with the waves, but after 10 min, we were steering exactly what we had been before. Thank You Carl and Davie!
So we got onto Georgetown Harbor at 4 am, put down an anchor in a deserted anchorage and went to sleep. Imagine our surprise when we woke up at 8am to a packed anchorage with 5 cruise ships and all their little boats ferrying people to the island. We radioed Customs, and they took us right into the dock to clear us through. Our only hitch is that any dog who comes from or passes through Mexico, Central America, or a bunch of other countries, is not allowed on the Cayman Islands. So Ita has to stay on the boat. If they catch her off the boat, she will be put down. Despite her being very pissed about not being taken to land, she has been staying in her kennel on the boat while we tour.
Uncle Bob goes home Sunday, so we have been very busy getting all the touristy things done as quickly as possible, as well as the laundry (yeah!) and provisioning! Today our plan is snorkeling in the crystal clear water, eating and enjoying the local brews. I wish our pool had water this clear!
That's all for now. Roatan next in a week-ish.
Deb
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Thursday, January 20, 2011
Grand Cayman Island
Have arrived!!
Safe and sound, no issues.
The most amazing thing is that under the full moon we can clearly see the bottom in 30-45 feet of water.
Wow! This place will look great in the morning!
=Jim
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Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Cayman Islands
Our destination has been selected!!! Bob figures all the duty free shops will have plenty of air conditioning!
-Jim
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Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Favor to ask....
While we were in the San Blas Islands for the last few weeks, we crossed paths often with a very large and beautiful sailboat named Zefira. I couldn't identify her flag or YC burgee.
I wonder if someone out there could use google for me and look her up???
My guess is that she's about 150' long, and has a pretty interesting story!
thanks,
-Jim
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Where are we going??
Well, I still don't know. We are about 8 hours from our turning point. Jamaica looks to be more upwind but closer. The Caymans are a bit downwind and a little bit farther away, and Roatan is almost going to be dead downwind and is the farthest.
We have told Bob he has to make the decision. So far, the best he can do is ask which place might have the most air conditioning.
I guess its not quite the same temp here as at home???
-Jim
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Monday, January 17, 2011
Morpheus - Enroute - Monday 17th
140 miles North of Panama
All's well onboard the good ship Morpheus. Winds are lifting us and making our job easier and easier. Currently 18 knots with a TWA of 75 degrees. A bit bouncy and still really hot. Deb could be having more fun. Bob took some of Deb's seasick med. yesterday and was never quite himself. Very tired. At least he blamed it on the drugs, rather than the travel, sun, heat, and perhaps a few beers the day before??
Anyway, no issues today!!
-Jim
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Sunday, January 16, 2011
Heading North!!
Well, we've finally left the San Blas Islands behind. Sort of sad to do it, as I have a hard time thinking that there is anything in front of us that will be as nice as those islands. They are just exactly what you picture when you dream of heading off to tropical islands covered in palm trees and surrounded by warm crystal clear water. Perfect!!
Anyway, we seem to have an excellent weather window. This has always been the leg we feared would be most difficult. Not only do we have my brother along to help, but the forecast we have calls for close reaching in 12-16 knots for the next 4-5 days. Perfect again!!
The best part is we don't know where we are going!! Can't decide between Jamaica, the Caymans, or Roatan Island. What a choice... Let's just see what the weather gods bring us and I'm sure our choice will be an easy one in the end.
Best to all home. We continue to enjoy and encourage visitors!!!
-Jim and Deb (and Bob)
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Saturday, January 15, 2011
Brother Bob Arrives
Just picked up my brother Bob at the "airport" here in the San Blas Islands! We are thrilled that he is here and will make the next passage with us.
Plan to leave tomorrow AM. Weather forecast looks GREAT!
We have one day to show him the best of the San Blas Islands. No problem, we've got them figured out at this point.
Destination?? Not really sure. Jamaica, Caymans, Roatan, or Belize.
-Jim and Deb (and BOB!)
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Monday, January 10, 2011
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Kim Comfort - Kitesurfer in training
FYI - Kim took her first lessons in kitesurfing yesterday out on a sandbar that we've found inside the barrier reef and to windward of the islands. It's a spectacular spot, and the steady tradewinds were just right for lesson number one.
She did great!
-Jim
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She did great!
-Jim
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Brother Bob flying in to help us out!!
The next leg of our journey North from Panama is often an upwind challenge. Deb and I were not looking forward to doing it alone. Several possible crew considered joining us for the trip but things didn't work out. That's when Bob raised his hand to save the day and we are thrilled!!
So, next Thursday/Friday we'll be off for Roatan Island and then Belize!
- Jim and Deb
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Saturday, January 08, 2011
Hasta la Vista...
Well, today was an eventful day. The quick replay of the day is that we dropped Bob and Lynn off at the airport to catch a shuttle back to Pananma city to go back to SF. Easy...
In reality, yesterday we left our lovely group of Islands, which on charts are called the Hollandaise islands in the San Blas Islands, but we renamed Post Card Island, Beer Island, Rum Island (our Favorite) and Scary Bug Island (Our LEAST Favorite!), and sailed for El Povenir, the San Blas Island that has an air port on it. Or may be an air strip is more accurate...NO... how about an air Post-it. Bob and Lynn had to catch their 4pm flight from Panama to SF, but we were having such a good time that we kinda failed to make reservations on the 10 person, 7 am flight from El P to P city. Stress was a little higher than usual on the boat last night, maybe a 1 on a scale on 1 - 10, but we knew all would be well as our Secret Agent Man Pete was working on trying to get Bob and Lynn on the oversold plane. I made sure the boat was safe (Zzzzzzzzzz....) as everyone else went to the island at 6am!!! The plane came in at 6:45 sharp and took off at 7.... but no Jim and Kim back to the boat. Obviously Bob and Lynn didn't make the plane. But, suddenly, another plane comes in and takes the most of the rest of the people waiting, including Bob and Lynn off to the real world!
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Thursday, January 06, 2011
Our tentative schedule from here...
Many people have asked us about our schedule between the Canal and Block Island Race Week.
Well, to tell you the truth, we didn't think much about it prior to passing through the Canal. To us the Panama Canal was a huge goal that we somehow had trouble believing we'd really get to.
But, now the time has come. So, here is our best guess in very general terms.
Working backwards for us...
1) Arrive NYC - May 15th
2) Arrive Key West - April 1st
3) Arrive Puerto Rico/Jamaica - March 15th
4) Arrive Cayman Islands - Feb 25th
5) Arrive Islands off Belize - Feb 10th
6) Northbound passage and Misc. Ports off Columbia and Honduras - Jan 15 - Feb 5th
7) Canal and San Blas Islands - Jan 1 - Jan 15th
We are having a great time with our current visitors and hope that more of you will decide to join us along the way. As always, we are willing to try to alter our schedule/destinations in order to best fit your visit schedules.
Come see us!!
-Jim
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Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Holy Molas, Batman!
So, we have made it to the San Blas Islands, which are slightly South East of the Panama Canal, and have found the postcard. Beautiful palm lined, sugar sand islands with protective reefs around them, but none of the books and charts can agree what to call them, so we have started to come up with our own names. The trade winds are still pretty gentle, enough to keep the boat from swinging too much around our anchor, but not enough for Jim to kite. He's bumming, but I'm not!
We are enjoying having friends on board. Bob B. and Jim have been working on multiple projects on the boat, speaking funny languages that have to due with amps and wiring and mast head lights that haven't lived up to their 4,000 nights, while Kim has been making some of the most awesome dinners ever experienced on Morpheus.
Yesterday was very busy. The adventures started by us girls taking the dingy into Mola Island, the closest inhabited island to go Mola shopping. (MOLA - A 3,4 or 5 layer fabric panels embellished with reverse applique and embroidery, made by the Kuna people). We got 2/3 of the way to the island, which is the size of an indoor soccer field, and the motor died. Not enough fuel to the engine. So Kim squeezed the fuel line, and I restarted the engine every 100 feet, and we made it. We walked to the 2 little huts and found the 5 Kuna people setting out their wares for us to peruse. We had a good time choosing our Molas and watching the kids check out Ita. They told us how the boats from the day before had shared a lunch of smoked fish with them. I said cool, and we left really fast. I've done my share of local villages lunches in Figi, Dog Food Soup never to be repeated. We then retrieved the dingy, which was floating away, and squeezed and started our way back to the boat. Jim changed the fuel line, and all was well.
After lunch, we all went to Beer Island and went snorkeling, shell collecting and had...A Beer! Then stopped at Free Range Chicken for a cocktail and a shot of A/C. Then back to the boat for an awesome Chicken Curry and long, all night game of Shower Scurry, the game you play with each rain shower that comes through. Hatches open, talking on deck, RAIN, scramble below to close all hatches, RAIN STOPS, back up on deck, open all hatches...RAIN....REPEATE.
That's about it for now. All is good. BTW. We will be doing a 5 day upwind schlep from here to Hoduras about the 13th. Anyone up for a passage?
Deb
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Saturday, January 01, 2011
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