We have returned from our open ocean experience. We have no pictures from this adventure, however we do have views of our experience:
"John, Bob and Don took on revolving 4 hour shifts being "on watch". I had the first watch 8am to noon and things were fine. By the time I got back on watch at 8pm the wind was up and for some so was dinner (see Bob's entry below). Personally I am thankful we headed to shore, 30 miles away, after our first engine failure." Don
"Being out in the middle of the ocean was horrible !! I felt like I was going to die! I didn't like it at all!!" Raylynn
"Raylynn must have been scared it is the only time she would let her mom hold her.
When the engine stopped in the ocean I immediately put life jackets on the kids and myself and we lay in bed feeling every bump for 24 hours." Kathy
"While i was in the ocean i felt bad. The engine stopped a couple of times. The boat felt like it tipped almost to the ocean. I was so scared that i went to my mom's room and laid in bed with her and my sister. While riding the waves in the ocean I threw up a couple of times. My mom and sister fell out of bed a couple of times while i was holding on to the wooden stand. Soon after that i went back into my room and laid down with my face in the pillow. Once we got through the ocean i felt much better and safer." Matt
"Just as things appeared to be going, finally, close to "the plan," we hit weather and the engine glitch. What next? Trying to put into words the feelings of crawling in hot engine spaces on a rolling seas while trying to change fuel filters and bleed fuel injectors, is a bit tough. The resulting sea sickness from diesel fumes and then having to resuming command in the pilot house was a bit too much for the old stomach, and now Don has renamed our Portuguese bridge just outside the pilothouse to the "throw-up Portuguese Bridge." What is wonderful is that when we got closer to shore, several long hours later, the sea sickness passed and everyone began to enjoy the adventure again. We are well behind our planned trip, but we have to realize that it is the nature of cruising and one must always plan for delays. Still having fun! - Bob
"My hopes for this first leg of the journey of getting M/Y Arrluk to Alaska was to get as quickly south and in warmer weather as possible and to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone. There was a lot of work done on the boat prior to our departure and on whole the boat has preformed quite well. The engine issue were unexpected, but was sorted out and repaired very quickly. The family has functioned very well together despite having been confined to 48' for 24 hours per day for well over a week now. It hasn't always been fun for them, but I think they will have a few good stories to share with friends and some lifelong memories." John
Safe harbor tonight, found in the dark by spotlight, is McCellanville, SC
