Voyage of Commander "Faith" Chicago to California

[commanderpete]

Came across this webpage.

These guys are about 3 weeks into their trip now. They got down the Rivers to New Orleans. Then they're going to make their way to the Panama Canal.

Pretty cool

http://www.geocities.com/sjfaul/Sailing.html

[c_amos]

Great name!

Can't get the link to work for me yet, but can't wait to read it.

[eric (deceased)]

by looking at the their website it would have been alot easier to get there by trailering it.the boat itself seems to be very plain...they have the convienience of gps,since theres 3 on board theres no need for self steering,I would bet they have a large outboard with extra fuel,and at least since its mostly coastwise,they can stop off for a burger any time they please

[commanderpete]

Yeah eric, I wonder how many people told you to go back and forth to Hawaii on a 747 instead of an Ariel? What's the fun of that?

I enjoy reading The Log. Well written, good attitude.

A properly provisioned boat

[eric (deceased)]

when I helped sail a 90 foot schooner to hawaii that same year I came back on a 747.I just hope they get as much out of their experience as I did mine.I know many people had doubts about my capability at that time.I dont have any doubts about the boats potential. I only hope that they studied as extensively as I did

[iceman]

Right On!!

Just launched Blue Penguin Commander 264
For new season on Lake Champlain

If any one visits our fair state this summer..please email me for a visit to the yacht..possible sail..shot of rum at the least

Iceman

[iceman]

My computer is not letting me save and download this adventure website
Can any of the Association members tell me why??

Iceman

[SailorLiz]

My computer is not letting me save and download this adventure website
Can any of the Association members tell me why??

Iceman

Iceman,
Are you are receiving this message on their web page? "The web site you are trying to access has exceeded its allocated data transfer. Visit our help area for more information. Access to this site will be restored within an hour. Please try again later." Some sites that host free web pages also regulate the traffic that "visits" the site. So if you have many people hitting the site and creating to much "network traffic", they take it down for awhile. Just keep checking it, and eventually you will be able to see it.

[iceman]

Thanks
Sailor Liz

Ill just be patient
Iceman

[c_amos]

[size=3]If any have not been following, the fearless crew of the Commander 'Faith' have made San Pedro, Belize. The log is a good read. Here is an excerpt drawn from the days '40-47'.[/size]
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[size=3]"For the first time nothing broke. There wasn't a crisis. We began to feel that we were healing, and I include Faith in that. The columniation arrived as we – as a functional team – sailed up to the south end of Chinchurro Banks Reef on the evening of Sunday the 15th. The reef is one of the only atolls in the Caribbean, just off the Mexican/Belize boarder. It is also completely invisible at the surface of the water. Wrecks litter the east side of the reef, marked on our chart as little half-sunken boat-shapes. Slowly, carefully, we approached the color change delineating the shallows from the deep. We watched over the side as the bottom came up to meet us, a touch we very much desired to avoid. At last, just yards from a coral forest whose branches came inches shy of breaching the surface, we let the anchor fall gently to the bottom.
We unpacked the flippers, masks and snorkels. Our breath came fast as we prepared for the plunge and – the world under the sea welcomed us! We swam about the boat like children, for everything was new. Each fish was brightly swatched in yellows, blues, greens….wait, that brown one is invisible under that coral overhang! There's a conch shell! Wow, look at the size of that round thing! I don't even know what that is!! Later, drying in the last rays of the day's allotted sun, we grinned like fools. Tired in the most relaxed sort of way, we all drowsed and finally slept. Very, very well.
I woke first, checked the time (10:30 pm) and roused the others. We whispered to each other not because it was necessary but as an instinctual reverence for the solitude. The mainsail was raised as the anchor line was retrieved, our about face away from the reef was accomplished with only the ruffle of the sail. We wouldn't try the engine and break the silence here. In gratitude the wavelets whispered in the coral behind us.
Perhaps coral reefs talk to each other. We sailed the night through, arriving off the town of San Pedro, Belize, about 10:00 the next morning." [/size]
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[size=3]Get the most current update, and leave a comment in their visitors log at; [/size]
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http://www.geocities.com/sjfaul/Sailing.html

[Tony G]

SAN PEDRO!!!

I just got back from there the 8th. I wish I had known

[commanderpete]

Our intrepid voyagers have reached the Pacific. Wish them well

More log updates coming soon

[ElBeethoven]

I'd be VERY interested to hear what the charges were for their canal transit and if they had any of the alleged problems with the Panamanian management of the canal.

Best,

J.

[c_amos]

[size=4]Having just spent the better part of the afternoon, and evening reading the excellent log of this journey I have a couple thoughts.[/size]
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[size=4]The fact they made it is quite a testimony to the crew, and to the 40year old boat they sailed.[/size]
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[size=4] There was little (no?) mention of any 'off shore' mods done to the boat, yet it endured everything short of a hurricane with no serious failures other then the steering casualty (and that not a catastrpophic failure).[/size]
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[size=4]"Faith faired well, as she always does in seas of this type. Technically, the event was a knock-down: her mast went over on its side so far that the starboard spreader (the crossbar a little more than halfway up the pole) was dipped in the brine while the starboard combing (to which Eric still clung to the forward portion) allowed copious amounts of water to spill over. With two thousand pounds of lead in her full keel, the little Pearson Commander is designed to pop right back out of the water when this happens and that is just what she did. Within the space of three seconds from total prostration Faith had righted herself and was back on course. Man, I love this boat!"[/size]
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[size=4] The log was so well written, what a wonderful gift! To have shared the voyage, bringing us along.[/size]
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[size=4] As I formulate my plans, and endure the sideways glances of those who believe they 'know better' I am inspired.[/size]
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[size=4]Lord willing, I hope to share the adventures of the (Ariel) Faith, till then[/size]
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[size=4]Thank you Captain Sean, and the bold crew of the (Commander) Faith......[/size]

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