Frenchman sets sail across Atlantic in a barrel!

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by JosephT, Dec 27, 2018.

  1. tlouth7
    Joined: Jun 2013
    Posts: 282
    Likes: 100, Points: 43, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Cambridge, UK

    tlouth7 Senior Member

    He is going backwards...
     
  2. Dolfiman
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,515
    Likes: 667, Points: 113
    Location: France

    Dolfiman Senior Member

    According to Ventusky forecasts, he can faced West to North variable winds from 11 to 13-02, then 14 to 18 will be more favorable with North to East steady winds, but then again uncertainties … Actually, he still is in the so-called transition zone, due to the first 2 weeks with unusual SSE winds which put him outside the trade winds main stream.
    Weather Forecast Maps https://www.ventusky.com/?p=27.1;-34.0;5&l=wind-10m
     
  3. JosephT
    Joined: Jun 2009
    Posts: 859
    Likes: 107, Points: 43, Legacy Rep: 218
    Location: Roaring Forties

    JosephT Senior Member

    I recall he stated he had previously made several Atlantic crossings to the Caribbean in a sailboat and this adventure was to experience it at a more relaxed pace now that he was retired. Other than leaving with plenty of time to avoid hurricane season, there is no rush for him to get there in such a rush.

    I must admit I could sail on for weeks/months so long as I have flying fish. On several of my sailing adventures I encountered these wonderful flying creatures that jump out of the waves near my boat. They are typically present in warmer waters. I have seen them near the Canary Islands. I have also seen them throughout the Caribbean. Dolphins are also a frequent sight swimming along side and on the bow. I have told myself many times "I'm in heaven. I could sail like this the rest of my life." The flying fish and dolphins really put my mind at peace.

    So if you are aware of any regions of this planet with huge schools of flying fish...do let me know. I will set sail!

    flying fish.JPG
     
    fallguy and Dolfiman like this.
  4. Jolly Amaranto
    Joined: Jan 2012
    Posts: 54
    Likes: 19, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 207
    Location: Texas

    Jolly Amaranto Junior Member

    While sailing between Guam and Yap in the western Pacific on a tramp freighter in 1966, there were plenty of them. At night I would go up to the bow and lean over to watch them shoot away from the ship through the bio luminescent plankton floating on the surface. All you could see was a streak of light where their tails touched the water. This is a daylight shot but no flying fish at that time. :(
    [​IMG]
     
  5. Dolfiman
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,515
    Likes: 667, Points: 113
    Location: France

    Dolfiman Senior Member

  6. Dolfiman
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,515
    Likes: 667, Points: 113
    Location: France

    Dolfiman Senior Member

    His last vacation dated 13-02 :
    "Day 49 - Wednesday, February 13th
    Calm weather, before a depression starts this afternoon which is going bring me north winds, very favorable for the cape, so no question put the handbrake.
    At 10 am, I enter the 26th degree (latitude) and it's all good for my cap!
    The hunt was successful but very difficult, too much chop, I can go up or down only from the back by 3 bars to access a platform of 40 x 20 cm, with the fins when it's calm it’s ok. But here I have to go back with the fish with the arrow of the harpoon, I have to knock it out very quickly because it moves too much…
    I took the opportunity to scratch a little the hull of the barrel, the fact of detaching the shells attracts the mahi mahi and then I find them in their stomachs.
    Actually these shells don’t proliferate and don’t grow either, impossible to take off with your fingers, I have to scrape them with a diving knife.
    Then, girting session for the pleasure of my traveling companions, which fuse underwater to swallow the waste.
    Once inside, I have the pleasure of cooking this fresh fish, which will bring me for my only meal of the day, a great moment of pleasure and happiness.
    As always, I make a homemade carpaccio with the fillets of the youngest sea bream, accompanied by semolina! It's a great moment, pure delight!
    I think of you my friends to whom I announce: Do not be in a hurry to see me again, I have plenty of time to arrive !!!!
    Good night"
    TESA : Traversée de l'Atlantique en Tonneau https://www.facebook.com/BOUTESA/posts/2091596737592205?__tn__=K-R
     
    fallguy, Jolly Amaranto and Doug Lord like this.
  7. Mr Efficiency
    Joined: Oct 2010
    Posts: 10,386
    Likes: 1,042, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 702
    Location: Australia

    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    I hope he's not getting scurvy out there !
     
  8. Dolfiman
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,515
    Likes: 667, Points: 113
    Location: France

    Dolfiman Senior Member

    I found out the song "Hura for Ole Brude", with some new pictures of the "egg" hull under sail and, at 2:33, the map of their North Atlantic crossing (in winter , in a steel hull) :
     
  9. tlouth7
    Joined: Jun 2013
    Posts: 282
    Likes: 100, Points: 43, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Cambridge, UK

    tlouth7 Senior Member

    He has had a funny old week, but back on track for the last few days. Needs to make some decent progress South if he wants to avoid being pushed East from Wednesday evening to Friday afternoon, hopefully the swell will help with that.
    Windy as forecasted https://www.windy.com/25.125/-33.695/waves?waves,26.234,-35.750,6,m:em1afeZ

    Some more comments have appeared on his map:
    Traversée de l'Atlantique en Tonneau - Google My Maps https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?fbclid=IwAR2mEJ-mP_znARe5wf6cmkAYNlQSUODf-h4bK4q1cyCBkaVOio-RflY-ed4&mid=1UiW0t61m2NF2aHiWQ8Q3S3TvQhdhfRoW&ll=25.125489999999992%2C-33.694669999999974&z=8
     
  10. Angélique
    Joined: Feb 2009
    Posts: 3,003
    Likes: 336, Points: 83, Legacy Rep: 1632
    Location: Belgium ⇄ The Netherlands

    Angélique aka Angel (only by name)

    I didn't realize before about the hard times a message in a bottle has to endure, here's my bottle sent to Jean-Jacques . . :)


    ‘‘ Just a castaway
    An island lost at sea
    Another lonely day
    With no one here but me
    More loneliness
    Than any man could bear
    Rescue me before I fall into despair

    I'll send an SOS to the world
    I'll send an SOS to the world
    I hope that someone gets my
    Message in a bottle

    A year has passed since I wrote my note
    But I should have known this right from the start
    Only hope can keep me together
    Love can mend your life
    But love can break your heart

    I'll send an SOS to the world
    I'll send an SOS to the world
    I hope that someone gets my
    Message in a bottle

    Walked out this morning
    Don't believe what I saw
    A hundred billion bottles
    Washed up on the shore
    Seems I'm not alone at being alone
    A hundred billion casatways
    Looking for a home

    I'll send an SOS to the world
    I'll send an SOS to the world
    I hope that someone gets my
    Message in a bottle

    Sending out an SOS ’’
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2019
  11. Dolfiman
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,515
    Likes: 667, Points: 113
    Location: France

    Dolfiman Senior Member

  12. Jolly Amaranto
    Joined: Jan 2012
    Posts: 54
    Likes: 19, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 207
    Location: Texas

    Jolly Amaranto Junior Member

    Seems that he has not gone very far the last few days.
    Screen Shot 2019-02-24 at 4.29.17 PM.png
     
  13. Tiny Turnip
    Joined: Mar 2008
    Posts: 865
    Likes: 274, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 743
    Location: Huddersfield, UK

    Tiny Turnip Senior Member



     
  14. JamesG123
    Joined: Mar 2015
    Posts: 654
    Likes: 76, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Columbus, GA

    JamesG123 Senior Member

    But as long as he's enjoying himself (and hasn't run out of food and wastes someone's tax money by having to have someone's Coast Guard rescue him)...
     

  15. Dolfiman
    Joined: Aug 2017
    Posts: 1,515
    Likes: 667, Points: 113
    Location: France

    Dolfiman Senior Member

    Yes I was too early optimistic in my previous message and he had a non productive 4-5 days which should be frustrating. But now , according to Ventusky forecast, he has a really good window of favorable winds for the next 5-7 days with a bit more South component that he do needs.
    Traversée de l'Atlantique en Tonneau - Google My Maps https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?fbclid=IwAR2mEJ-mP_znARe5wf6cmkAYNlQSUODf-h4bK4q1cyCBkaVOio-RflY-ed4&mid=1UiW0t61m2NF2aHiWQ8Q3S3TvQhdhfRoW&ll=24.1543392634245%2C-34.61520870937977&z=8
    Weather Forecast Maps https://www.ventusky.com/?p=24.2;-39.0;4&l=wind-10m
     
Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.