Allan & Ursula Ward: Port Owen, Cape West Coast, South Africa.

Shearwater 39:
- L.O.A. 43ft (13.22m)
- L.O.D. 39ft (12m)
- L.W.L. 34ft (10.3m)
- BEAM 13ft(3.9m)
- DRAFT 6ft(1.8m)



HOW IT ALL BEGAN .

I placed my order on Nebe Boats on the 19/10/1992 for what was initially planned to be a complete factory built yacht that l would sail home to Durban from Capetown once she was completed. Unfortunately due to the demise of Nebe Boats in the early days of her construction it did not turn out that way, so l decided to truck her home to Ramsgate on the KZN South Coast to finish building her in our garden at home.

For many years we could proudly boast that we had the most expensive piece of garden furniture in town, but at the time l had no idea of how massive this project would turn out to be. As anyone who has built a blue water cruiser will tell you, particularly if she is kitted out with all the systems and the equipment that a modern cruiser has onboard these days, it is a daunting task . Looking at the positive aspects of this project, l know the boat intimately in that l designed and installed the systems, so from a repair and maintenance perspective l have no issues carrying out the work that is necessary from time to time.



The big day arrived on the 29/8/2008 when we craned her out of the garden onto a rig to truck her through to Durban for launching . What followed was three months of preparations to ready her for the maiden voyage to our home port in Port Owen on the Cape West Coast.

We had a fast passage down the South African East Coast including a storm off the notorious Wild Coast and arrived in Port Owen in dense fog. Windward had passed her first test with flying colours and since then we have enjoyed some great sailing on the West Coast.


The master plan has always been to go cruising, so our plans are to leave for Brazil via Luderitz and St Helena Island at the end of February 2014. So far everything is on track although the “To Do“ list still grows each day.

The purpose of this blog is to record our adventure for ourselves, family and friends. Although it will probably end up being a brief summary of events while we are cruising, we hope you will enjoy and share some of our experiences with us.

LIVING THE DREAM .

Sunday, March 27, 2016

ADEUS BRASIL , HELLO CARIBBEAN .


After making landfall in Brasil in April 2014 and enjoying two great seasons of cruising this lovely country , now with our two year Boat Stay Permit about to expire we need to set sail for new horizons before l am asked to make a substantial tax payment to their Receita Federal . We have loved every minute in Brasil , beautiful anchorages , amazing people and now some special new friends who have gone to great lengths to ensure that our stay in their country was totally hassle free . We will sail away with some wonderful memories of our time spent here.

My staunch friend Philippe Gouffon has joined me for the 2200nm passage to the Caribbean and right now we are preparing our boat in Jacare to sail for Natal where after a short stay we will exit Brasil for Kourou in French Guiana .

Our plan for French Guiana is to visit the Ariane Space Station as they offer tours of the facility and then after a couple of days set sail for Devils Island and visit the now defunct penal colony where Papillon was held captive until his famous escape . I have recently re-watched the movie of this well known story to refresh my memory in order to make this visit a little more of a vivid experience .

Something l have always wanted to witness is a rocket launch and lady-luck has gifted me with the opportunity to be in French Guiana when this will take place , another large tick off the bucket list .

Straight after the blast-off we will set sail for Chaguaramas in Trinidad .
This passage from Brazil to Trinidad should be fast with wind and current both going in our direction so happy days are here again .
Can't wait to set sail . 
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