When imagining early on the two poleward legs required to complete a Figure 8–the long Southern Ocean loop and the Northwest Passage–it was the latter that gave me fits. The maze of remote waterways, some without soundings, all with the likelihood of pack ice, was enough to freeze my courage. So, when it arose,, Read More
Jo reminds me I don’t know how to go on a one-year cruise.
November 5, 2019 Days since return: 15 Noon Position: 37 46N 122 08W Miles Since Last Noon: 5 (a walk in the Oakland Hills) Course and Speed: uncertain I thought I had re-entry figured out. After a longish cruise for home, I anchor awhile in Drakes Bay before proceeding on to civilization. From here, Read More
It began as a simple enough idea–to solo circumnavigate the Americas and Antarctica in one season. A boat, a sailor, a big sea, some ice and a double loop of the globe in roughly the shape of an eight. But as time went on and as the idea developed, it required the help of, Read More
Drakes Bay October 19, 2019 5am. The alarm sounds to wake me though I’ve been up since three o’clock. For some time I lay in the dark listening to the wind whine in the rigging. Mo tugs at her chain. I wait for sleep to descend again, but it has slipped away in the, Read More
Hello all! Quick update on the return plans. Yes, Randall will arrive in Northern California in plenty of time to make it to the GG Bridge for his return. He’s going to gently potter down the coast and get prepared for his return to civilization so the official return date of October 19th is, Read More
September 28, 2019 Days at Sea: 294Days Since Departure: 363 Noon Position: 52 06N 152 38WCourse(t)/Speed(kts): SxE 6Wind(t/tws): S 20+Sea(t/ft): S5Sky/10ths Cover: Overcast, drizzle 10Bar(mb): 1023+On-deck Temp(f): 59Cabin Temp(f): 63Water Temp(f): 54Relative Humidity(%): 73 (wet inside)Magnetic Variation: 13.7 Sail: Main and working jib, two reefs, close reaching Noon-to-Noon Miles Made Good (nm): 125Miles since, Read More
September 3, 2019 Days at Sea: 275Days Since Departure: 339 Noon Position: 70 16N 125 53WCourse(t)/Speed(kts): WxN 5.5Wind(t/tws): E 15Sea(t/ft): SE 3Sky/10ths Cover: Clear 0 Bar(mb): 1015, steadyOn-deck Temp(f): 45Cabin Temp(f): 65Water Temp(f): 32 (ice is near)Relative Humidity(%): 35Magnetic Variation: 20.7 Sail: Under engine; full sail as well. Noon-to-Noon Miles Made Good (nm): 132Miles since, Read More
August 22, 2019 Mo with Alioth in tow rounded the corner into Cambridge Bay at 11pm last night. Alioth came to anchor over a forty foot shelf in the bay’s West Arm, and Mo took a berth a few hundred feet further on. Another consort to Alioth, Mandragore, also took shelter nearby. Shelter. Because, Read More
August 16, 2019 Days at Sea: 262Days Since Departure: 320 Noon Position: 74 20N 90 54W Course(t)/Speed(kts): WxS 6.5Wind(t/tws): –Sea(t/ft): –Sky/10ths Cover: Clear 0 Bar(mb): 1015, steadyOn-deck Temp(f): 57Cabin Temp(f): 68Water Temp(f): 35 (note water temp is steadily dropping.)Relative Humidity(%): 36Magnetic Variation: -25./3 Sail: Under power with double reefed main as steadying sail Noon-to-Noon Miles Made, Read More
Aug 11, 2019From Tay BayBylot Island73 29 6N 80 45 5W Departed Hatt Trick Harbor at 9am after a few more surveys of depths in the arms. I wanted to explore the mountains, the back country, to sit on the bluff and watch the snowy peaks on Bylot change colors as the sun circled., Read More
Yesterday, north wind with rain. Then north wind with fog. Then just north wind. As our goal is north, Mo and I sat out the day here at the Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club twiddling our thumbs. Mo is ready, dressed for departure, impatient, as am I. Today, a clear sky at dawn, directly overhead, Read More
One last repost as Mo and I ready to depart Newfoundland tomorrow, this a summary of the clothing strategy I employed for the Arctic in 2014. Having completed that passage and a few other cold ones besides, I’d say that the clothing inventory was suitable for the environment of interest, with some amplifications. Layers,, Read More
Halifax was unable to solve all my problems. I found there neither a spare alternator nor a spare starter motor, and the engine fuel line hose I wanted could not be got locally nor, in a timely manner, from the manufacturer. The first two issues have since been sorted, but what to do about, Read More
Things continue busy for Mo and Randall at the Royal Cruising Club of Newfoundland near St. John’s, and the only way to keep up is to hand you, dear reader, another repost. This one, also from the 2014 Northwest Passage attempt, chronicles my first days in hard-won Nuuk, Greenland. Nuuk is Mo’s target once, Read More
As Mo and I make our slow approach to the Arctic, I am reminded of my first experience of the Northwest Passage. This was in the summer of 2014, and even then planning for the Figure 8 Voyage was well underway. Though such an endeavor as the Figure 8 presented difficulties at every turn,, Read More
The anchor comes up clean at 6am and we are on the move again. In the bay, wind has gone into the southwest overnight. It has warmed and become fragrant with the exhalations of evergreens. Terns are already on the wing in search of breakfast, but above them, the village surrounding Admiral’s Cove remains, Read More
July 6, 2019 Day 241 Noon Position: 46 39N 53 01W Course(t)/Speed(kts): NE 6 Wind(t/tws): E 4 Sea(t/ft): — Sky/10ths Cover: Fog/10 (viz = 200ft) Bar(mb): 1013+, falling Cabin Temp(f): 68 (engine heater on) Water Temp(f): 46 Relative Humidity(%): 52 Magnetic Variation: -17.6 Sail: Motoring Noon-to-Noon Miles Made Good (nm): 112 Miles since departure:, Read More
Eight months following wind and sea succeeded by one month tethered ashore. Neither seems real; in both cases, time has flown. This morning, Mo tugs gently at her anchor. She is happy enough here, as am I, but she knows we must move on. Much has been accomplished but not yet the goal. The, Read More
As I ready Mo for her jump from Halifax northwards, I am reminded of her first Northwest Passage attempt, summarized here by Clark Stede in a 1991 article in Yachting Monthly. Posted by The Figure 8 Voyage on January 17, 2017 Aboard Moli is a small hardbound book titled Rund Amerika, the story of my boat’s initial, Read More
Having done with the greasier mechanical systems, I moved on to restoring Monte. Soon after our Halifax arrival, I reattached the vane pendulum* and went for a test sail to see how the frame, bent upwards on starboard when wrapped by the drogue bridle in a gale, affected the vane’s functionality. Could Monte sail, Read More
“Can you please write a blog post?” asked my wife. “I’m busy,” I say. “But it’s been four days with nothing from you. You’ve posted every day for almost a year. People expect an update.” “After such a flood, I’d think those people would like a break.” “Then stop thinking and write a post.”, Read More
Note from Joanna: Hey folks. We’ve got a fun giveaway for all of you. If you’ll remember, a dear friend and supporter of the Figure 8 Voyage asked if he could name his ink after Randall and his journey. You can read about this amazing ink and the story of why it inspired the, Read More