The boat was rolling from the 6-8 foot waves. I had just completed locking the propeller shaft so it could not slide back and jam the rudder again. Fighting off seasickness, I was able to put the locker back together. Its contents stowed neatly.
In less than 10 minutes, the wind was over 30 kts! I ran below and put on my foul-weather coat and pants. I was back at the wheel just in time…. It poured! I could barely see the bow of the boat. The rain and wind lasted less than an hour. The second reef was definitely needed! Distant Horizon had no problem in these conditions.
After the rain and clouds had passed, the sky cleared and the sun quickly dried everything.
I had 100 miles to reach Bermuda. I should arrive there tomorrow around 2 pm.
Turning Back Towards Bermuda
With the wheel working again, I engaged the Hydrovane to do the steering. Just like my departure from Bermuda, there were no eventful moments. Distant Horizon sailed well with the two reefs in the mainsail, the full jib, and the heavy weather staysail. I could almost re-trace my outbound path back to Bermuda. I was able to sit and enjoy the sail. Although there was a certain amount of angst regarding the propeller shaft; where and how to get this fixed… and of course the cost of doing so in Bermuda; one of the most expensive places to visit on the planet.
The day ran into the night. Distant Horizon kept sailing effortlessly. By morning, the winds had veered and dropped just a little. I had left two reefs in the mainsail for the night. So, progress was not fast. Instead, I was concerned more about being gentle with the boat so as not to cause any unnecessary damage.
The winds were low enough that I shook out the two reefs and went to a full mainsail. Distant Horizon seemed to like that. Now sailing about 5.5 kts, a whole knot faster than the overnight speed. When I was within 30 miles, I called Bermuda radio as required. This is to inform them that I was inbound.
Bermuda Approach
They said I was doing 5 knots. I should call them back in two hours so we can check my progress.
The wind was now down to 13 kts… Anything lower and Distant Horizon will slow down considerably. I had to change my angle to the wind to maintain my speed. Unfortunately, Velocity Made Good (VMG) started to drop. The trip will be extended by about an hour.
In two hours, I should have traveled 10nm… I had only gone 9nm. Not too bad, but I was becoming anxious. Without using my engine, I would have to sail through The Cut… This will be somewhat challenging if the wind continues to drop or change direction.
When I called Bermuda Radio as requested, I informed them of my situation. They said they could make a call and have a professional towing service meet me outside The Cut. I saw Dollar signs flashing before my eyes. I told them I would wait until I was closer before making that decision. In reality, I knew the guys who would be coming out in Line 1. It was New Year’s Eve. If at all possible, I would not interrupt their holiday for my convenience.
A couple of hours later, I was less than a mile away, headed straight for the cut. I told Bermuda Radio I would attempt to sail The Cut. The conditions looked good. They said they would stand by if I needed to abort.
Sailing Through The Cut
As I approached, the wind was partially blocked by the cliffs. Distant Horizon’s speed dropped to 3.5 kts. I knew it would be worst in The Cut with cliffs and trees on both sides.
The Cut
From my previous conversation with Bermuda Radio, it should be slack tide. Slack tide is a period of time when the tide is neither rising nor falling. I steered Distant Horizon to the far right side of the channel to keep the wind for as long as possible.
Distant Horizon can make a tighter turn to starboard. So, as I entered The Cut I had to steer to the far left side of the channel. If I wasn’t going to make it, I could easily turn around in the tight space.
The boat speed dropped to 2.1 kts as I entered The Cut. There is a small opening on the left about halfway. I just needed to make it there to get some wind again. I was fixated on the boat speed as it dropped… 1.9…1.7…1.2… 1.5… 1.9… The jib had reached the opening! Distant Horizon was accelerating!
I was up to 2.5 kts when the mainsail reached the opening. However, the jib was leaving the opening and the boat speed started to drop again… 2.1… 2.0… 1.7…1.5… 1.2… 0.8… I was getting worried, A loss of a couple more tenths and I would lose the ability to steer. …0.5… 0.4… Distant Horizon was not responding to the rudder! She weighs around 31,000 lbs. If you remember your Newtonian Physics… a body in motion tends to stay in motion… and she did!
In The Harbor
St. George’s Harbor
I finally came out of The Cut… 0.2 kts! Then the sails filled and I was back to 2.5 kts in no time.
Bermuda Radio called… “I see your sails on the harbor side. I was getting worried. That took some time. Is everything alright?”
“Yes!”, I replied, forgetting all radio protocol. “Everything is perfect!”.
“Congratulations!, not many boats can sail The Cut with their engine off. I’ll inform Customs you are back in the harbor and unable to sail to their dock….”
Bermuda Radio arranged everything so I could launch my punt (Bermuda for tender) and row to the customs dock. I simply have to call Bermuda Radio when the anchor was set and the punt was launched.
Sailing through the anchorage, I said hello to Doug and Robin as I sailed astern their boat NAME. They are from Nova Scotia. I was sailing slowly. So, Doug of course responded, “I thought you left!”
I just told him I would explain over a beer later.
He replied, “Enough said”.
I had never set anchor solely under sail before. I had practiced, but with the engine on, and then used the engine to back the boat down on the anchor to ensure it was set and holding. My mind raced… anchoring is simple… but what is the best way to ensure the anchor is set and holding properly?
Anchoring and Customs
Distant Horizon at Anchor
I picked my spot and turned into the wind to stop the boat. Then, I went forward and dropped the anchor. I slowly let the chain out as the wind pushed Distant Horizon back. Several times during that process, I locked the chain. Then I would backwind the jib…hold the jib out for the wind to push the boat harder. That’s all I could do without an engine…
Customs was very understanding of my situation. He checked me back in quickly since he had all the information at hand.
I went to White Horse for a Guinness. Charlie was not there. The owner, Dennie, looked at me with a confused look. He said, “I thought you left”.
I told him the story as he looked on in amazement. When I was done he said, “Welcome home!”
Once back on the boat, I prepared my berth for a long sleep! I moved a pillow that my daughter, Brynn, had gotten me. It said, “Home is where the anchor drops”. Dennie was right! I was home.