This transatlantic delivery would be unlike any other one, since its success involved in arriving on time for the Miami Boat Show. There where many who did not think that we could travel 5300 miles in 21 sailing days, but thanks to the boats reliability, comfort and speed we succeeded at the end. Therefore, to both doubters and believers, this voyage is henceforth referred to as the FLAMINGO 5000, named after the enlightening fact that our 5000 plus mile winter journey would start and end in places populated by these skinny legged birds.

Leaving La Grande Motte in snow and fog

 Log Jan 18th: Start in La Grande Motte, the French Med.

Alize stacked with 49 rolls of  toiletpaper, 273 bottles of fine wine and enough provisions for a battalion (including the best processed food on the planet) is being readied for our transatlantic voyage. As we anticipate our departure in freezing rain I realize that I have enough clothing to start a Mt. Everest climbing shop. By the time I metamorphose into my many Musto midlayers and foul-weather gear I look like Santa Claus.

 Alize wasn’t really “well tested” since there was only time for about 50 miles of sailing in light wind, nevertheless freezing conditions. Hats off to the experience of the yard as nothing, except a main sail clew breaks. My 3 man crew steps off relaxed and refreshed in Miami to a spectacular entrance on Valentines Day, having missed only 9 hours of the first day of the show! The brilliant performance and the comfort in sometimes-extreme conditions were spectacular.

Ibiza – Europe’s party town

 Log Jan 20th: Ibiza

Now in Ibiza, after having encountered strong headwinds and having dropped crewmembers off in a small seaside fishing village in Spain. Joe and Matthieu seem to be attracted to the venerable “foam bars”. Invaded by German tourists and jet setters in the 60’s, Ibiza is the place to “see and be seen”. The island has a fantastic year round climate and the many outdoor cafés serve the best Sangria in the world. I can see myself and Flo retiring here, perfectly blending in with old hippies, artists and the many stray dogs.… 

We all come to the sobering realization that the Med is “no picnic” in winter. Anticipating the passage through Gibraltar we hear the somewhat unbelievable news that GERONIMO, Oliver de Kersausons giant tri, has been attacked by a sea-monster just  West of the isthmus. As we later learn the creature was one of the rare giant Octopus – possibly sick, and in a very bad mood . No one believes the story and it is assumed to be another press hoax until days later a 12-inch diameter imprint of the suction cup is discovered on one of the hulls. It certainly makes us look forward to crossing the very spot this freak incident occurred.

Gibraltar sunrise

 Log Jan 24th : Gibraltar

As we approach land, the smell of civilization is evident and not all necessarily pleasant. Picking our way through supertankers and unlit fishing vessels we arrive at 7pm at the “Rock” with the intention to do a quick stop and go. It leaves us puzzled when we find that all gas stations in this major harbor  have been already closed for the day, but also makes us contemplate Europe’s “social” working days and 35-hour labor week.

Fortifications dating from 1000 BC to the present remind of Gibraltar’s unsurpassed strategic significance. The notorious current, that locally can reach up to 5 knots runs West to East on the surface, greatly impeding traffic heading out into the ocean. The legendary Phoenician seafarers used possibly the world’s first active drogue by submerging them near to the ocean floor, where the West setting counter current would tow them into the Atlantic.

Blowing past big monos

 Log Jan 27th: en route to the Canaries

Continuous headwinds have been plaguing us since we left the Med, but relief is in sight as the front seems to be moving NE. With eased sheets the boat burns up the miles averaging 250 miles/day and regularily hits speeds in the lower twenties. The sad realization that in the long run the autopilot steers better than us does not deter us to hand drive ALIZE when conditions are just right. Especially when reaching under Gennaker we can anticipate the huge shifts in apparent wind created by the enormous acceleration of  the boat. The fun factor steering the boat on long surfs at 28 knots is unbelievable and is truly the second best thing in life.

Sailing on a boat such as ALIZE, soon spoils us all, despite the fact that most progress in the Med was making us thankful for every foot of waterline length. My next scheduled transatlantic delivery is for November on a 45 footer, and the disturbing question arises: Will I ever be happy on a cat less than 64’ ?

The design philosophy of the Outremers’ legendary aerodynamics and slender canu shaped hulls greatly contribute to the feeling of comfort. Going upwind into strong winds we rarely deploy the dagger board more than halfway, proving the fact that a long narrow hull creates its own portion of hydrodynamic lift.

  Roller coaster at 25 knots in F9 conditions           Log: Jan 30th heading West across the Atlantic

We have enough computing power on board to run a shuttle lift-off. On board our 4 laptops are constantly “hacked”  by Matthieus agricultural style talents. Using the brilliant Max Sea routing and weather software pays off as another 58’ performance cat, which  leaves the Canaries at the same time ends up almost 200 miles behind us. The software’s output feed on information from our speed polars, but also download wind-pressure, sea-height and a cocktail of other parameters to conclude the best course. It advises us  to head NW into a developing High, which ends up delivering storm force N-Easterlies and interesting seas for 3 days and nights. Often seated at dinner, we brace ourselves as the speedometer goes from 14-25 knots within seconds. The acceleration is tremendous.

Whoever tells anyone this or that cat never pounds, simply has not sailed across exposed water in rough conditions at night. Although ALIZES bridge deck height is an enormous 4 plus feet, she occasionally receives a wave slam from beneath. At speeds of 20+ knots, especially in the darkness, it is impossible to avoid the occasional cross-sea, which often delivers severe blows to the bridge deck. Contrary to monohulls, whose limiting factor for speed is the strength of the wind, it is the sea-state , which limits us hitting 30 knots. Putting things into perspective though, a well-designed, powerful, dagger board cat is much more preferable than a mono in these conditions. Because of her lower speed the mono would experience almost twice the exposure time in the rough stuff. The ability to adjust our dagger boards to ease strain on the autopilot on our non-heeling and non-broaching vessel, greatly reduce fatigue by not having to hand steer. Rocketing down big seas, there is always the feeling of control - most of the time at least. We make it a routine to hand steer once every 12 hours just to make sure that hydraulics are ok.

     
 Flying Fish Trophies                                           Towards America

 Log:….somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic

Today I wake up to a new passenger. …a flying fish… that Matthieu gingerly sneaks into my bed. Days of rough seas have given away to steadier winds pushing us towards America. We have settled into the rhythm of night watches, alternating with lazy days of simply hanging around enjoying each other company and life at sea. My crew is deeply touched by my philosophical realization that the world is a ship on a one-way voyage and we are merely passengers along for the ride.

My magnetic backgammon set, that in the beginning of the trip is ignored and proclaimed to be a lesser toy, has suddenly become the game of vogue. Towards the end of the trip we are all confirmed addicts. Matthieu is secretly practicing against the computer to brush up on his measly skills but cannot stop his loosing streak. In the entire three weeks at sea not one cross word is said between the crew. We also never felt healthier breathing unpolluted ocean air. 

ALIZE is a very powerful boat indeed as most of the time we carry 2 reefs in the main, yet still manage easy 250-mile days. Thanks to the Outremer’s fine hulls, the ride is so smooth that the difference between 9 and 19 knots can sometimes only be realized by checking the speedometer.

Like approaching aliens at night  we are tracking the squalls on the radar. As we can only pick them up clearly on the 12 nm setting our decision time to reef is sometimes less than 10 minutes. When the rain

finally hits, the heavy downpours transform the sea into a liquid with a seemingly different viscosity. Tonight we break 3 battens by gambling against a squall: Subchapter of Murphy’s Law: LBTAFFD: “Law of buttered toast always falls face down”.  At night still - in my underwear – I am trying to control our spectra monster. Although I love solo sailing , this is probably the most difficult thing about it….having to switch from deep sleep in my snug warm blanket to being dunked onto a pitching wet deck in the dirty black night, literally seconds later.

I recognize the compelling fact that I am passing through 6 time zones without feeling jet lagged, yet gaining a day in the process.

 
Queen of the Miami Boat Show

Log:….Feb 14th, Valentines Day. Arrival at the Miami Boat Show

We have made it and only miss the first 9 hours of the Show.  Standing at the dock, friends and family witness the grand entrance of ALIZE, flying the home made Valentines Day flag. Our first visitors can hardly believe that we have just came across the Atlantic as our boat looks detailed and our crew appears fresh and rested.

 In retrospect I want to thank the owners of ALIZE for giving us the opportunity to build and sail this beautiful boat and the people at Outremer, who put their hearts into finishing her just on time….

This article was published in the July/August 2003 issue of MULTIHULLS MAGAZINE