The crew left, waiting for the new crew and service

In the morning three crewmembers left to Finland. Only one brave Belgian Kristof stays here with the Skipper. And that is good, because after we get the Engine fixed we will move to another marina to wait for the crew that sails the boat back to Finland.

The new crew will arrive the 14th and we will go towards Finland the 16th... if we get the engine fixed.

Today we will see...

Copengagen reached - little bit crippled

The 9th of June 2009 started with a nice sunny weather. We got ne wind blowing some 6-7 m/s for the beginning. Very soon the weather changed for the wind up to 15 m/s and the rain and Thunder.

First 80 Nautic Miles we had +7,5 knots average speed. The lady was well balanced and everything was perfect.

The crew "smelled" the changes in the weather at the right moment - we had all the time just the right sail-load.

Somewhere around 22.00 the wind was gradually going down and just in the midnight there was no wind at all. We had to start the engines, especially because we were in the middle of the Ship traffic-junction near Rügen/Southern Sweden.... 30 minutes and Silence. The engine Tilted.

Then we set the sails up and next two hours just circulating with the sea-streams.

The morning came the wind came.... at least 3 m/s and a small movement was noticed, but there was also a fog that limited visibility. Somewhere at 9.00 the fog disappeared and we started to move towards Copenhagen.

In Copenhagen we had to call towing help (wind was too high, we did not want to break somebody elses boats) and we got it from the Royal Tuborg Sailing Club. They towed us in their beautiful new port to wait for the repairman that should come the 11th to fix the engine.

Kolobrzeg Reached

We reached Kolobrzeg at 13.00 under a Thunderstorm. There was a lot of Thunder and lightning just the moment we arrived.

Before arriving we noticed that there must be a Russian or Ukrainian abroad, because someone had eaten all the bacon without frying during the night/morning. Finally we noticed that we have Stanislav,a Russian with Ukrainian roots, no more to wonder. Blood is stronger than vodka!

We will relax here and eat something warm, drink something cold. Tomorrow we head to Copenhagen.

Kolobrzeg has a very tiny Marina I suggest all the fellow sailors enter here early. All services included. The gas station is not located in the marina.

On the road to west

On Sunday morning around 10.00 we set our course to west.

In the beginning 9 m/s wind from the ne that made us to go with an engine against the wind until we reached the Hel peninsula.

The freshmen of the boat were not so fresh in the beginning of the tour, but the longer we waited we could see colour returning to their happy cheecks.

After passing Hel, sails up und go (up and go, funny)!

Around 23.00 we set the Cruising Chute up to keep the speed. Somewehere at 03.00 we had to give up sailing and stat the engine again.

I suppose we arrive Kolobrzeg around noon local time. There we will have good night rest and target to Copennhagen. Hopefully we find nice restaurants from Kolobbrzeg.

The new crewmembers arrived

The new crewmembers arrived in the afternoon of the 6th of June. On the picture you can appoint the original crew with the flags of the countries we passed.

The new crewmemebers are Kristof [BEL](Canteen boy) and Stanislav [RUS](Deck Monkey).

Tomorrow - as soon as we wake up - we will make "drang nach vestern" - "Lebensraum für AquilaDeux". First fill the tanks and then go on.

Waiting for my crew

Loaning the lyrics from Lou Reed, the feelings are "waiting for my crew" for everybody. Two extra crewmembers will join the team tomorrow. On Sunday the 7th of June we will direct to the Kolobrzeg, some 140 nautic miles to the west.

Gdynia is very good target for fellow sailors, but I suggest to reserve places in advance from Gdynia Yachtclub marina - we are lucky to be here so early in the summer, but there are not too many guest places. All the exist: Funny shower where the "ToiletMaster"-lady will follow you every time in Shower and ask between the shower "good?".... everything OK.

Today we also visited Gdansk to get feelings from that old Hansa town.

From Ventspils to Gdynia

From Ventspils we got 50 litres diesel with a transfer by car, After filling up we continued the trip forwards to Gdynia.

It was sailing from the beginning to the end.

In the night between 2nd and 3rd the wind was getting higher reaching 17 m/s. On 3rd of June the weather stayed the same. The only difference was that the cold rain joined the bloody weather.

Only marks for the statistics were a vhf "good luck" wishes from Lithuanian Navy before entering the Russian waters... and of course the speed top we reached on the surf: 12 knots!

Gdynia was reached 23.42. Beer needed-

Ventspils finally

From the start 31st of May 2009 there has been very low wind or no wind at all, so we had to use a lot of Engine.

South of Saarenmaa the sea was dead calm and - we suppose it was - large neverending fields of Bluealgae flourishing.... here and there were dead seaguls floating, cannibalized by the same species... maccabre show

Finally we got wind until the end of the day. Ventspils reached 1.6.2009 at 23.11hrs. 230 nautic miles passed. We must stay here until we get more diesel, but tomorrow shows.

Load the yacht ahoy!

Everything is ready in the boat. The crew will set the sails and start the journey on Sunday. Checking list: Food for at least six days on the sea, Liquids to prevent dehydration, Water tanks must be filled, Diesel tank must be filled, Sail inventory, Tools inventory, Charts, Dinghy, sleeping bags, lifelines, safety harnesses... neverending list ... Two days time to fulfill.

Weather forecast 31.5.2009 Helsinki 06.00 +12 C, nw 4.

The ship is ready for the summer adventures

The boat was ready rigged on the 15th of May.

On the 16th the skipper and two crew members were ready to pick up the boat from Loviisa to Helsinki. We faced small setback right after the start. The engine was running quite hot (boiling).

We set up the sails and turned back to the wharf. In the end the problem was quite simple. Because of the new water boiler, the engine needed more coolant.

Skipper and one crew member sailed the boat finally the 17th to the home port in Helsinki. Fantastic day! 41 nautic miles, +14 degrees Centigrade, sun was shining. Fair and opend wind from 2-6 m/s. In the end of the day no wind - so we used the engine, that worked fine.

10 days for the summer start...

The yacht is more or less ready on the wharf. The planned rigging day is the 15th of May.

On 16th of may the yacht will be sailed from the wharf to the home-dock.

Upgrades in the winter: A.I.S, new paint on the bottom, new sprayhood + bimini, the wiring was renewed of the instruments, New teak floors inside, Teak-Cradle for the Liferaft. New folding propeller. Water-heating system.

The invitaion letters for the Grande trip is sent to the crew. Final starting day 31st of May.

Spring renovation

The Spring renovation is almost over. The boat had a new fresh paint under water + the hull is waxed + the teak deck is washed.

Somewhere the next week the new teak floor is installated inside.

Plan to get the boat on water 15th of May 2009

Riga 1.4.2009
Very long driving day via Liepaja and Ventspils to Riga.




Liepaja is a small and Picturesque city near the Lithuanian border, suitable for extra stop if needed. There are not too many suitable ports in Lithuania or in Kaliningrad-region on the way down to Gdansk.

Ventspils
Huge port. Maybe one of the largest in the Baltic region. Only the pool in the port is so large that one can organize Tritangular Race inside the pool without the problems.

The guestport is very easy to access just on Starboard side while entering the port. Seems to be all services available too.

Next time there will be some reports about the boat itself. Preparations to set it on water etc...