Zoom, Zoom, Zoom! - 01 06 09
What an evening it's been: 50ft waves and 50knot winds!
I've been hand steering for most of the evening to keep Totallymoney.com as happy as she can be in these incredible conditions - and what fun it's been, even if really nerve-wracking at times!
Every now and again, the moon shines through the clouds and lights up the great, untamed beasts, and little old me hurtling down them in my tiny boat (as safely as humanly possible!).
I was dressing up for the evening earlier with my oilies. Just before I went outside I had a good look at the conditions, came back inside and thought ‘Sod it, I'll bung on the dry-suit!’ It was the right thing to do as it really is wet, wet, wet!
The swell is just huge at the moment. I've never seen anything like it and it makes Totallymoney.com feel very tiny. I've had to keep the power on so that we don't get caught under any breaking waves - our boat speed has been seriously fast over the last six hours. To say that it's like being on a giant log flume right now wouldn't be far off. I just got a message from my Dad saying that my tracker clocked me doing 24.6knots not that long ago!
This is what happens... The surf begins, Totallymoney.com edges forward at 14knots or so as we begin our descent. As the waves are both long and steep, the bow drops away and I feel the boat accelerate beneath me very quickly. I look left and right, and see the face of this huge, roaring wave of pure power on either side of me. I feel Totallymoney.com really lift up onto an incredible plane now with only the back third of the boat in the water and still the speed increases, 15,16,17knots. It's dark and I wonder what's going to happen when we hit the bottom of the wave travelling so fast. Still we sail faster and faster, 19, 21, 24knots! I see it approaching and brace myself for the deceleration.
But Totallymoney.com just ploughs straight into this wall of water, sending waves and spray cascading across the deck and over the coach-roof 20ft in the air. I grab onto the handholds to prevent myself being washed backwards and…here we go again!
©MikePerham2009
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Mike,
You are a master of understatement when we see you careering along at 28 knots! What a craft and what a sailor! as we follow you exhausted in our armchairs!
Take care and stay safe,
David and Brigid, Taunton
Comment by David Akenhead and Brigid Kellett on June 1st, 2009 at 4:27 pmMike,
The Tracker shows 28 knots now and your blog makes us breathless!! How ordinary and small our world seems after accompanying you on one of those swells ..
May you get fairer winds soon so you can cruise a little more leisurly and get some rest!
Rob & Kyoko from Nagoya, Japan
Comment by Rob Domloge on June 1st, 2009 at 4:42 pmCheeses.
I find myself asking if there's room on a 50ft boat for balls the size of yours. You're a ****ing hero.
I'll give £5 to charity if you get a picture of yourself wakeboarding behind TM alone in 50ft warves in the dark.
Just in case anyone missed it this guy is doing the Ostar on a budget and writes a blog with similar enthusiasm to our Mike so might be of interest to those here:
Comment by Mark on June 1st, 2009 at 4:48 pmhttp://www.willymakeit.co.uk/
Hi Mike,
Wow what a great description!! The tracker has you doing 28 knots right now, that is seriously fast for a boat.
Hang on in there mike, Stay safe and keep enjoying it, I am so impressed at your sang froid!!! Keept eating well and smile occaiosnally! We are all with you, this is where you show us that we are all just mice compared to real adventurers like you!
Go for it mike!
Russ
Comment by russ (cumbria) on June 1st, 2009 at 4:52 pmWow!! Amazing ... do you feel as calm as you sound?? You're doing brilliantly Mike.
Comment by Ishbel, Inverness on June 1st, 2009 at 5:07 pmMike, you and your boat totally rock. Your naratives are wonderfully entertaining and descriptive. You sound as though you are having the time of your life. What is it they say about sailing, 90% fun and 10% terror. Rock on Mike, your are keeping this Granny on the edge of her seat.
Comment by Julia on June 1st, 2009 at 5:29 pmJust glanced at Tracker and it registered you at 28 kts...
Hang on, Mike,, please be 3X careful!
Comment by Alan on June 1st, 2009 at 5:55 pmOh, mercy! Get Mike and that speed boat through this is all I'm asking Him to do. It was all I could do to read about the 50 ft. waves and the 50 knots of wind confusing the waves. If I saw it on video, I might pass right out! (I think I was holding my breath while reading your blog) Thanks for sharing your wild adventure, even though I'm wondering how you found the time to post anything under the circumstances. You are made of tough stuff, that is for sure!
Be safe!
Comment by Becky on June 1st, 2009 at 6:01 pmwow...exhilarating even from this static screen. Are you strapped to a harness, I mean where are you as this fury surges you on? Does it get wet inside your little cabin? Totally amazing! The sounds must be incredible too. Keep safe and never stop grinning that grin!
Comment by umm bilal on June 1st, 2009 at 6:11 pmHi Mike
I was just thinking how brave you are to sail alone across such a vast ocean, with only the odd "lump of rock" dotted around. Then, you mentioned that there was 10,000 metres of water beneath you, well that would just scare me. I'd be continually searching for leaks and wouldn't sleep a wink!
))))
THEN, I read this latest blog – well, I just held my breath while I was reading it. You’re an amazing guy Mike; and so cool you even keep us up to date with a blog!
Stay safe. Hope the conditions calm down soon.
Comment by Elizabeth (UK) on June 1st, 2009 at 6:36 pmElizabeth
Mike we've lost you.
We are very worried.
David and Brigid
Comment by David Akenhead and Brigid Kellett on June 1st, 2009 at 6:49 pmHave just checked Tracker again and, like David and Brigid I'm really concerned. Hope it's just a technical fault with Tracker.
Comment by Elizabeth (UK) on June 1st, 2009 at 7:57 pmElizabeth
Hi Mike
Zippity doo daa !
Just in case you need it in those conditions , an old Baque fisherman's prayer...
" Lord
Your sea is so big and my boat is so small
Have mercy"
I've only used it twice and it works ..never had to trouble the RNLI.
SUERTE HOMBRE
PETER
Comment by PEEJAY on June 1st, 2009 at 9:13 pmKeep safe Mike.
-Sven
Comment by Sven in MDR on June 1st, 2009 at 9:15 pmBlimey Mike,
I don't think I drew breath whilst reading this blog, I was on TM with you, looking left and right at the mighty wave, what a terrific writer you are. You manage to transport me out of my everyday life and into yours with your incredible descriptions, KEEP SAFE, wonderful to have you back doing what you love most,
Take care,
Sally, Dan, Freddie and Toby
Comment by Sally Barter on June 1st, 2009 at 9:58 pmHoly cow! 50 foot waves and 50 knot winds? That's a Force 10 Gale! You are one brave boy; I would be scared to death. I can't even imagine 50 foot waves....that's just crazy. Well, hang on tight, and be safe. godspeed.
Comment by Aj on June 1st, 2009 at 11:12 pmWow, er... sounds fun?! I bet that dry suit isn't very dry anymore... not just on the outside either.
Comment by johnboi on June 1st, 2009 at 11:53 pmCouldn't tune in yesterday and look what I missed!!!
Sounded terrific fun...
10% terror and 90% fun - no sea here in Shrewsbury, but hey that's my motorbike!
Ed
Comment by Ed on June 2nd, 2009 at 11:20 pmDude I hope you have been intelligent enough to lash yourself into the cockpit in such a way you won't get tangled up in it and lose and arm or foot while being swept overboard if you get a good wave coming over the deck. Hope you don't lose your mast. There's a fine chance of damage to the hull from the structural stress and smashing into waves at great velocity.. keep an eye on the bilge after things quiet down.
Comment by GL w that! on June 5th, 2009 at 12:47 amWOW...
Comment by androidchamps on June 17th, 2009 at 6:41 amhey have a great, Adventures & safety journey...hope I can go like you on voyage...