From: Barbara & Brian
Sent: May-22-11
Cc: Will Curry
Subject: iVane and armola

Hi again,
I am motivated though by two things: one, our splendid today at sea guided for the first time (any distance that is) by our iVane. We covered about 20 miles in 22 knots of wind with iVane studiously and without fault steering to the wind. We had a couple faults but, as usual, human error put up his hand.

This venture won’t impress you much but for me, even a small passage without a single energy demand… especially MY energy… is a grand gesture to the environment and our peace of mind. I know the vulnerability of electronic auto-pilots.

…
Cordially,
Brine

… and subsequently updated us ….

From: Barbara & Brian
Sent: October-20-11
To: Will Curry
Subject: some more small applause

Hi Will. I wanted to share this small missive from Sicily with you, just because it contains a reference to iVane. Hope life and business are flourishing.

Sincerely,
Brian A.
———————————–

Hi again, this time from the SE coast of Sicily. Once elegant Siracusa town, now looking tired and gritty, a bit sad-sack…but to us, the very finest shelter after our mini-passage of 330 miles (60 hours) from Greece. Knowing me and knowing October, you’ll expect the passage to have some of these “!!” attached to its description.

We sailed about 250 miles of the trip with deeply reefed sails in winds from 15 to 50 knots!! For the first time, we had to run downwind, under bare poles in gale force 8 conditions, with gusts to 50 knots – and don’t get me started on the sea conditions! Have you ever swallowed your tongue? Well then, you know what I mean. Oh, and we had sessions of savage rain, no visibility in the shipping lane and lightning!

We left Pilos with a reasonable forecast (25 knot winds), and if I meet up with the forecaster, I’ll happily smack him with a spade. We did want to avoid having to motor and we knew the early part of the trip might be rough. But not of the disemboweling sort. Going to the head in a seaway is never joyous, but this was like I had a live goat in there with me, he had to go too!!

As an independant measure of things, on Monday noon (we had been at sea only 26 hours) a supertanker did an unusual thing. The gentleman captain altered course, rounded into the wind and stood off about a half mile upwind of us, asking if we needed assistance! I didn’t think he had the power to beam us to the Starbucks in White Rock, so I said thank you (several times) but “no, this is a self-inflicted wound sir.”

Actually, we were doing fine and I don’t know why he suspected otherwise. The sea was in a very sour and raspy mood, but the boat didn’t seem to mind. Hallberg-Rassy for you. Perhaps the tanker captain thought we should be home bathing the children.

Other highlights of the journey? We carried a small bird, struggling to stay airborne, the last 50 miles, only to see itdie when we reached the harbour. A flying fish also landed on the boat, and died.

Oh, and iVane, our wind-steering partner. What a gem! It steered 230 hard miles without even nut rations. I don’t fully understand the genious of iVane, but I do fully appreciate its indomitable – even insouciant – response to provocative seas. I should see if it can do Wx forecasting.

We’ll be here a few days before rounding the SE coast of Sicily an on to Ragusa. I’m sure word has spread amongst the small birds and flying fish that Red Shoes is a rough ride.

Cordially,
brine and matey

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