We've Made It

[Piotrek]

Hello Everybody

Some 6 months ago we were asking for advice on this forum while we were preparing for our journey. Now we've made it to the Caribbean yahoo...

You are welcome to visit our website on whisper2.com

English version is lagging a bit behind polish, but it will improve soon. Check the gallery.

There is only two of us working on the whole thing.

Enjoy.

Piotrek & Magda

[imagine2frolic]

Congradulations,

I am sure by now you are quite different sailors then when you started. A very nice accomplishment indeed. BE SAFE & ENJOY.....John

[Lighthouse]

Well done Piotrek & Magda.

Very happy to hear that all went well.

Keep us updated please.

[redbopeep]

Great stories. We can't wait 'til you get the English version of the final legs of your trip on your site!

[Hud3]

Congratulations! Nice photos on your website, too!

[Lighthouse]

Your photos are fantastic!

[jomishx]

Piotrek & Magda,

That's great! I am from southwest Michigan and have been contemplating just such a trip on a 27'- 30' cruiser. I may have to "go it alone" though as no one seems to be interested in spending up to a year alone on a boat with me. LOL. I can't say that I would either, but I have no choice. That must be quite a trip!!

Jom

[Nausikaa]

I agree. Some really nice photos there. Obviously you are skilled at photography and, as such, will be able to take great photos with almost any camera but I am curious anyway; what make and model are you using?

One little issue, on photo no. 3 of the St. Martins group I see you have a tubular radar reflector tied to your backstay. I had a similar one at one time - until when on a coast guard cutter I saw how pitifully poor the returned echo was from another yacht fitted with the same type of reflector. IMHO, these should be banned and tri-lens reflectors or active reflectors (SeaMe type) made compulsory. In the Coast Guard we now only use SeaMe type reflectors which are great in our RIBS as they can be switched off if we want to clandestinely follow a vessel but when switched on give a great target.

Good luck with the rest of your voyage. I look forward to reading about it.

Aye // Stephen

[boatgroo]

Congrats Piotr and Magda!

The Yahoo Catalina 28 group has been discussing a trip from Florida to Bahamas and Windward Islands. Your success is very inspiring. I look forward to reading the rest of your log.

Bill

[JeanneP]

You have progressed quickly in the year you've been contributing to this board. How great to see that you've done so well. Did you make it in one shot from Bermuda to St. Martin?

It's a busy, busy island, but there are still places to go that are quite lovely. Enjoy the islands.

Fair winds,

Jeanne

[cmdrpete]

Well Done!

I think this is your boat, at Liberty State Park in New York Harbor

[Piotrek]

Wow thanks for great response.

Originally Posted by jomishx

I ... have been contemplating just such a trip on a 27'- 30' cruiser. I may have to "go it alone"

If you go alone make sure you have really good autopilot or/and windvane. We have already lost two autopilots, one after 2 days and the second after 8 days of sailing in moderatelly rough Atlantic. It seams, that small boat on big waves needs something stronger than autopilot sellers suggest. Alone without self steering would be tough.

Originally Posted by Nausikaa

what make and model (camera) are you using?

I see you have a tubular radar reflector tied to your backstay...

Nikon D40 with 18-55 and 55-200VR lens. Great little camera.

Stephen, surely there are better devices, but we hadn't enough money nor time for looking for something more fancy. It used to be attached on the top of the mast, but it felt down on the 3rd day from Bermuda.

[Piotrek]

Originally Posted by boatgroo

The Yahoo Catalina 28 group has been discussing a trip from Florida to Bahamas and Windward Islands.

Bill, I wouldn't do it from Florida east, but I know, many Americans do it this way. There are trade winds in the Carribean... I imagine, that getting from Florida to Winwards in a small boat must be really long, wet and nasty trip. From St.Martin to Guadelupe was bad enough for us. It's beating through 7-10ft chop in 35kt wind with gust well over 40kts. I recomend you going through Bermuda.

Originally Posted by JeanneP

Did you make it in one shot from Bermuda to St. Martin?

Yes, we didn't stop in the middle of the Ocean

[Piotrek]

Originally Posted by cmdrpete

I think this is your boat, at Liberty State Park in New York Harbor

Were it you, sailing this small canoe? You've got us. Thanks for the shot. It was a long stop in NJ.

Now we have no choise, but translate more of the stuff for you guys

[jomishx]

Thanks for the suggestion Piotrek. I have also heard that some of these can be unreliable. What type are you using now? Does anyone else have a suggestion fore a good yet not overpriced autopilot for a 30' sloop

Jom

[JeanneP]

Originally Posted by Piotrek

Yes, we didn't stop in the middle of the Ocean

Wrong person to make that comment to, though I am sadly aware of how many non-sailors think that you can stop and anchor every night no matter how far from land.

My question was more regarding whether you had stopped in Puerto Rico or the Virgins before heading to St. Martin. For most sailors we know, the Anegada Passage is one of the most challenging of the legs they had to cross to get to the fun sailing part of the Caribbean (excluding the sheltered waters of the Virgin Islands), and I was interested to know what your experience was through it.

This seems to be a pretty bad winter, weather-wise. But it's still a lot warmer down there than it is anywhere here in the States.

[Piotrek]

I was just joking Jeanne.

But I still don't see why anyone going from Bermuda to Windwards would stop in Puerto Rico or BVs. I't the same distance as St.Martin, but down wind and one must fight his way back up.

Btw. I saw blue boat, Watermelon in Philisburg, St.Marteen. Were it you?

Cheers

[JeanneP]

I saw blue boat, Watermelon in Philisburg, St.Marteen. Were it you?

Afraid not. We're not the only Watermelon anymore! There are four US documented vessels named Watermelon, though we're the only power catamaran with that name. Of course, our sailboat Watermelon still has that name, but she is in Singapore.

I agree that the straight shot from Bermuda to SXM is better, but the few small boats we've met that have come that way have stopped in the Virgins first, and then abused themselves trying to get the next 80 miles or so to St. Maarten. You were wise.

So, have you made it to Martinique yet? One of my favorites - beautiful island, worth renting a car and driving inland into the mountains. Love the people there, too. Enjoy.

[Piotrek]

Hi everybody

We've just put some new photos from the Caribbean on our webpage www.whisper2.com

Enjoy

Piotrek

[cartooncorpse]

you certainly look like a crazy person in some of those photos! (kidding). i bet you're a fun couple to know. all that resourcefulness and determination. seems like you would have found a way to park in the middle of the ocean at night if you wanted to. thanks for the link. i LOVE reading about other sailors adventures!