Fanie wrote:
Hi guys,
It's obvious you had an awesome trip and that it was too short to catch all the fish.
If possible, won't you pls comment on the sailing, the cat's motion, stability, berthing, galley and the important things no one ever mentions.
Some was mentioned - the medical kit, kneeguards, heavier line :-D
What made life easier, what was missed. Many okes are not aware that these cats are used to sail around the world in all kinds of weather.
It would also be nice to know if there was a preferred spot for mooring and the weather you may have considered, fairly strong wind was mentioned.
Fanie,
On this speeding world of ours the first few hours at around 8 Knot were a bit of a turn down, we quickly realized it would take ages to reach the destination (nothing we weren't waiting)
After the first day the sensation that vacations had arrived and that time has got a totally different meaning totally surrounded by sea your body get's used to the rocking motion and you start enjoying it as you would do with a bottle of nice old red wine that you must taste slowly bit by bit to get the full flavor.
Actually on the return I think we all enjoyed the "speed" and hoped for it to take even longer and I think it was there that we really started not thinking about fish but about the whole dimension and flavors of the trip itself.
I know you want to hear about the boat so I'll tell you my personal impressions.
First I am not a sailing man and I realized that in the middle of the crossing on the way to Bassas, strong wind means sailing at increased speeds and moving faster but I really enjoyed the slower breeze moments where power and sail would mix giving you an incredible soft ride on a very calm sea.
I was very impressed by the boat building quality and stability, the range even on motors only is just incredible and our Captain Craig loved powering it at lower RPMs for the 8 Knots ride that allowed us to troll a couple of lines from the back of the boat. If I remember correctly Craig told me even without wind he could do several Vilanculos Bassas trip without refueling.
The specs of "our boat" Leopard 45 might be seen on this review
http://www.multihull-maven.com/Boats/Leopard_45
Actually I think this boats are not "true" sailboats, the main sail is very easy to use and it's there just for "helping" the two 50HP inboards.
I know Craig is on the process of upgrading to a even bigger boat and I tell you the 45 is huge, very stable and I love the layout of the outside lounge area but Craig wants a bigger one to have extra sleeping cabins but built by the same constructor.
Here is a couple pics of a part of the outside lounge / Dinning area and me, Andre and Denton we are rigging tackle it does not look like it but the boat is on the move to bassas on this pic
Inside it has another ballroom dining area and kitchen, although big and comfortable we never used it we loved being on the outside even when raining,
Mooring was always a question of running around the Atoll and moor on the opposite side of the wind.
For the trip the support dingy would be stored at the bow of the boat and putting it on the water and back wasn't too complicated
The Cabins were spacious enough for two people with private bathroom on each cabin
What more would you like to know?
