Return day 8

ALLURE RETURN DAY 8- WATER WATER EVERYWHERE

Latitude 39-13 North Longitude 147-27 West
Days run 158 Miles
Speed 6.6 Knots
Total distance 1337
To go 1446

Day 8 of our "fantastic voyage" begins still deep in the Pacific High. Winds are Lt. and Var. which means we hear the constant drone of this infernal engine. Arr!, me sailor's blood longs for a following wind to fill our sails! The horizon remains empty, save for passing squalls and albatross. Water water everywhere and nay a drop to drink; Good thing we have plenty of grog.

Held Sunday sunrise services with all hands in attendance invoked the Almighty for wind and a pox on this blasted eddy!

In these becalmed conditions the Chief has become the star of the boat. We've given him special grog rations and plenty of sleep. Orders were given to treat him in a kindly manner. No gruff talk or unkindly words while we're under power. Not much use for the Sailing master, so I relegated him to be the Chief's assistant, fetch his coffee, etc. I've even given up me beer ration to the Snipes. Sometimes the Capt. must sacrifice for the good of the ship. The Chief can't believe the change but we'll abuse him later after the sails are full. Arr.

I remain Capt. Bligh
Footnote to the above (the real story): Two days ago, after beating to windward for a full week, I hauled myself aft to Captain Blight's office and told him exactly what I thought of him and where I thought he should put his infernal vessel! Ouch!

I've never seen such a poorly run ship. If I didn't know better, I would swear the damn cook was in charge! After I gave him a piece of my mind, without fanfare I quit the Deck Department (voluntarily, mind you!). He tried to get me to stay and give him another chance, but I told him I'd had enough of his academy-boy B.S. I also informed him that I would be filing a grievance with the S.U.P. patrolman shortly after we're all fast-Pedro. That got his attention! Solidarity!

Hoping to benefit from the Chief's elevated status (and his extra beer ration), I re-upped by signing articles as Oiler. We'll see how working for the Chief plays out (he's been a little moody, even downright cranky, lately). But, what the heck, if he turns out to be as big a pain-in-the-ass as the Captain, I can always switch back to the Deck Department after the wind shifts (stops blowing out of the Captain's arse and starts blowing out of the NW).

I remain; Bull Oiler, M.F.O.W. (ex-sailing master, becalmed)

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Return day 7

ALLURE RETURN DAY 7- HOMEWARD BOUND?

Latitude 39-08 North Longitude 150-50 West
Days run 161 Miles
Speed 6.7 Knots

Mid Watch set @ 0000 7/30 Capt. Bligh and Chief on duty. Finally reached our goal on the Southern end of the high! Wind and swell diminished, @ 0100 the order was given to strike the jib, center the main and turn for home under power, Huzzah Huzzah, a cheer went up, we're on our way.....then the engine died, aw sh..!! We were bobbing like a rubber duck in a tub. The high which we worked so hard to find now became our nemesis. Time for the Chief (who for the past six days had been drinking beer and working on his tan) to get to work. I stayed @ the wheel and engine control while the Chief, assisted by Cookie changed the Raycor filter. The Sailingmaster popped his head out of the bunk to find us becalmed with the sails on deck… he went back to sleep. Approx. 30 min. later the Chief gave the order to try the engine...Huzzah she fired and away we went homeward bound once more.

God Bless America and our Chief Engineer! What a crew!

1200 Lunch was served by the downwind cook; tortilla wraps al fresco with chilled wine. Capt. declared general R&R day for recognition of exemplary behavior (near mutiny notwithstanding) while beating to windward in a SC 50 for over 1000 Nm.

Staff meeting was held and "motor boat" watch schedule was agreed upon 3 three hour watches commencing @ 2100 ending @ 0600 one up one man sleeps all night. Rotate sleeper thru the high. Since the Chief may be called out for engineering difficulties he will be the first sleeper. Time to recharge!

Still expecting 08/08 ETA

By order of Capt. Bligh

SHIPMATES

When one goes to sea, we encounter Shipmates of all varieties and forms. It may be the Captain who was tyrannical and made your day, weeks, months, pass with such pain. It may be the joking AB who made you smile on that mid watch, or the Radio Officer who carried a bit of Left Rudder… Whatever, Shipmates and their proclivities flavor life at sea, and memories for a lifetime
Some of my fondest memories, and finest Shipmates I have are, Shipmates from my Days at California Maritime Academy. I would not be here today if not for them. Thirty five years have passed since the seeds of friendship were planted and they continue flourish to this day. I sit here today after one week at sea on a cramped, smelly ,uncomfortable racing sailboat, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with a big smile on my face because of the three shipmates aboard and one at home watching, wishing he were here.

Cookie

Late breaking news

Hove to this afternoon for engine maintenance. All decided to have free swim. The captain masked up for underbody inspection. He found a huge rope affixed to the propeller shaft… Cut it away, and we are back chugging along. A little bit faster and a little bit cleaner.

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Return day 6

ALLURE RETURN DAY 6 1000 Miles north and turn right. "The Windward Boys" renamed the "The Westward Boys"

Latitude 37-48 North Longitude 152-57 West
Days run 184 Miles
Speed 7.8 Knots

Today's noon position showed a total run of 1018 miles. At morning radio check in we were again the most westward vessel of the returning bunch. Oh well…"Allure" is a fine vessel but it
Sucks at being "Sea kindly" sailing close hauled. We have taken the comfortable approach, (if you could call it that) by backing a few degrees off the wind. Maybe a change of orders for Japan next port!!!
Looks like we are nearing the high, Westerly's are in our future.
Spirits are high; food is good, company great.
All for now, Cookie

Held Captain's Mast at sunrise this AM to determine who was responsible for the unauthorized consumption of the ship's tequila stores. Sailing master acted as Master-At-Arms as the accused, Cookie was brought before the tribunal. Ch. Eng. acted as scribe. Asked why the tequila stores were precipitously low Cookie broke down and threw himself on the mercy of the court.
FINDINGS: It seems Cookie was not the only guilty party as he ratted out the Chief and the Sailing master, of conducting an unauthorized tequila chugging contest. Sensing a near mutiny brewing I armed myself with the fish billy backed to the leeward end of the cockpit close to the MOB float least I had to jump to save my life!
CONCLUSIONS: Fearing a general uprising was in the making I absolved all parties of their crime of theft of ship stores on the high seas. Usual punishment for such an infraction is ten lashes, however being out numbered and staring into shark infested waters the sentence was commuted, with the proviso that all future parties MUST INCLUDE THE CAPTAIN.

Being no further business this court was adjourned. Arrrr

Capt. Bilgh

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Return day 5

ALLURE RETURN DAY 5 Say good bye to the Islands
Latitude 34-50 N Long. 153-46 W @ 1500 HST

There are many transitions in life…Some of them happy, some of them sad. I remember the happiness in my heart on the day of my oldest daughter's wedding. On the opposite side of the spectrum I remember the sadness of my father's passing. It's with a bit of a sad note that Allure had a transition of her own. In the last 24 hours we have gone from Island weather to "who knows what". Today brought first, a loss of wind, we had to motor for an extended period for the first time. Daybreak found us with overcast skies, much different than the beautiful sunrises we've enjoyed. The heavier layers of clothing and foul weather gear came out. As we are approaching the High we are encountering an array of conditions. At one moment it will be howling wind and rain, followed by calm, followed by wind shifts. In the coming days I expect we'll continue this pattern until we are on the other side of the high and the Westerly's carry us home.
We are eating great: Don't know of too many bare cabin racing boats having French Toast (Yesterday) or pancakes (today) for breakfast. Crew spirits are high, morale is great. More tomorrow…
Cookie

Thanks Cookie inventory of the "Gold Locker" indicates this bare cabin racing boat has ample grog to make the mainland, however the Tequila supply seems to have gone down at an alarming rate. Whiskey supply fair, and box wine better than expected. Ship' crew will report to the mess hall for Tequila investigation starting with the stewards department….Now where are my ball bearings…COOKIE!!!

Capt. Bligh (Quigg)

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Return day 4

ALLURE RETURN DAY 4 "Clean Sweep Down Fore and Aft"

Latitude 32-48 N Long. 155-00 W @ 1600 HST
Noon position showed a total run of 700 miles, We are approximately 1900 miles west of Los Angeles

We continue cruising to our first waypoint with the intent of turning through the Pac High @ about 37-38 North. Wind as expected is diminishing but we are still making good headway. Shook out the reef @ first light avg. speed last 24 hrs. about 6.75 kts.

Today due to some hot and stinky conditions we agreed all should take a bath, salt water soap down followed by fresh rinse ahhh heaven!. We pumped and cleaned the bilges, head and overall spruced up the living quarters. Stopped short of inspection…everyone looks and smells a lot better especially the Chief. Whiskey ration was doubled.

The Allure delivery crew is eating well thanks to Cookie's spending spree @ Costco, however Cookie has yet to join the Capt. In the galley except for occasional cleanup. He promises a special treat in the future.

Yesterday Sailing Master and Chief repaired outhaul shackle that mysteriously lost its pin since we still had the reef in it was a nonevent. Otherwise Allure is performing beautifully

Hooked five Mahi Mahi since departure So many, we have been releasing last few lucky fish!

We continue to thoroughly enjoy this adventure. A bad day of sailing beats a good day ashore anytime and we've had four great days!

That's all for now from the hearty and happy crew.

Love to all, Michael aka Capt. Bligh

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Return day 3

ALLURE RETURN DAY 3 "Los Pilotos, Pedicure day at sea"

Latitude 30 degrees North at Noon
Approximately 1900 miles west of Los Angeles

Today brought us a beautiful star-filled morning watch, followed by a mellow, relaxing day. After one rough night, and another transition day, the good ship "Allure" crew found their rhythm and decided to spruce things up after a rapid fire departure.

The crew has been busy cleaning up the vessel and all aboard. We broke out the sponge bath and the nail clippers on this warm Pacific morning and went to our work. We were able to find wire snips to take care of the Chief Engineers toes.

We continue sailing northward from Hawaii under a #4 jib and a reefed main sail. The winds have been consistently from the east and fluctuating between 12 and 20 knots. We've sailed continuously since departure, having logged 536 miles for an average speed of 7.8 Knots.

The rising barometer (1027 mb) and the cloud pattern both confirm we are approaching our first waypoint - near 37 degrees North, on the southern boundary of the 1030 mb North Pacific High (which is situated farther to the north than usual). Once there, we plan to fire up the iron mainsail and head eastward, skirting the lower edge of the high pressure zone, until we find the prevailing NW-lies, which will bring us home under sail.

We have sighted no other vessels during the last 48 hours, but have been maintaining daily radio communications with several other homeward bound yachts, trading weather and position information.

We continue homeward. Crew and vessel "Ship Shape" Everyone is doing fine.

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Return day 2

ALLURE RETURN DAY 2. Yeah We Signed on for This!

Made almost 200nm from noon-noon pretty darned good running to windward on a reefed delivery main and the crew is in high spirits. This is our third delivery together aboard the Allure and the crew synergy is great, we almost know what each other is thinking, (at least we know what Cookie is thinking.)

Nothing compares with sailing on the open sea…you just have to be here. It's hot, cramped; the boat is in constant motion, but the views of the endless horizon, blue sea, and spectacular stars make up for it all.
The most used piece of equipment is the new cockpit dodger and Bean bag chair (can't get the Chief Engineer out of it) Thank you Jimbo! Next time order a couple more bean bags and we'll carry less whiskey.
We hope to hit the high in the next 48 hrs. motor for a while then turn for home. If all goes well we should be home 8/8 in time for my anniversary.

Love to all from Capt. Bligh and the stalwart crew.

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