The Heartbeat IV team begin to fly out to the US on Thursday – initially Jason, Judy, Grace and Nic, shortly followed by Marcus, Paul, Sarah, Roger and then by Trevor, John and Ash.  Final work being completed at Westbrook.  Sea Survival update undertaken with approval in the UK rendering us compliant. A few pics below – labradors fascinated but did not pass as couldn’t handle flares with paws.  Current plan is to leave for Newport Shipyard on 16th.  Crew training will be undertaken on delivery from Westbrook.  Excitement building for a new Heartbeat adventure.  Always difficult to organise from 4000 miles away, but great support from Brewer’s Pilot’s Point team.  Planning to try out new anti-motion sickness TravelShades – as several of team always plagued by sea-sickness.  Normally just get on with it but would be nice if we find they work (as inventors Tim and Denise Flaxman say they will).  Lots to do on arrival – rig check, sail check, nav check, but think we have allowed enough time to mininise stress and enjoy pre-race days.

Sea Survival

Sea Survival - labradors joining in

Raft Deployment

Ready to take the plunge

Judy, Jason, Paul,  Marcus and Trevor have just spent a very, very intensive few days transitioning HBIV back from delivery/charter mode to race mode. With great support from the team at Brewers Pilots Point Marina (particularly Jeremy Maxwell) we arrived to find her tied up on the dock and in no time at all Senior Management had commanded that the EAORA, Fastnet, ARC and Middle Sea flags were raised.  We were very impressed by the marina and the entire team who went out of their way to help.  Day 1 involved emptying, categorising, mending, sorting, replacing all bits and pieces.  Due to credit to Horizon Yacht Charters and then to Captain Chris Rundlett and the delivery team,  as Heartbeat IV was looking much better and sorted than we had anticipated. Day 1 HB had to be hauled to get keel and prop measurements.  Day 2 Whit Batchelor, Measurer for US Sailing was due to start work on overhangs and stability early on Sunday morning (0700) so Saturday was spent emptying the boat to the dockside.  We also had the 17 page safety checklist to be completed on the Sunday – were honoured that Rives Potts, Bermuda Race winner in Carina kindly came and did this.  Jobs that needed to be done included installation of a new manual bilge pump operated from inside the cabin (a US Sailing/Bermuda Race requirement).  The awful news about Cheeky Rafiki is a good reminder of why safety is the primary concern of all of us.  The final day meant I had to drive to New Haven to complete immigration details for US  Customs and Border  – another early start but delayed so that a money order (cash and card not acceptable) for USD19  could pay for the entrance to the USA and our ‘free cruising’ permit.  So we left Heartbeat with a few things to be done which the marina have in hand. Dolphin are building a new main.  Still hopeful we can take a westerly diversion to Manhattan via the East River down Long Island Sound pre-race.  Time will be tight.  Heartbeat IV is looking forward to seeing everyone!!

Heartbeat in Pilot's Point Marina CT with EAORA Flags

Heartbeat IV - Road Trip

Heartbeat IV - Elevenses

Heartbeat IV - Back to Work

Heartbeat IV - Gear Off

Heartbeat IV - Up She Goes

Heartbeat IV - Looking Good

Heartbeat IV - Empty and Stability - Inclination testing

Heartbeat IV - NYC R & R

If we can we want to sail past this in a couple of weeks

HBIV set off on 26th April from Antigua via Barbuda, for Long Island, and specifically Pilot’s Point Marina. Captain Chris Rundlett is delivering with two others and are making steady progress. In the meantime the shoreside organisation continues.  Any race like the Newport Bermuda requires huge logistic support and planning. Examples of what need to be done are listed below:

• all crew have to arrange flight to start and from finish – as we’re all working this makes it quite difficult
• we have to ensure crew are properly trained in offshore survival, first aid etc (this all has to be validated by proper authorities  – and as most of us did the last 2 day course some years ago we have to repeat it)
• the boat has to be delivered to start and from finish
• all safety checks have to be completed (includes things like expired flares, expired fire extinguishers – all need replacing)
• sails have to be checked
• rig check
• new mainsail ordered (previous has done 5000 + miles)
• new mainsail has to be delivered across Atlantic
• ORR Rating for US Racing has to be measured for
• boat has to be stripped for overhangs (this means a pre-race prep trip for 5 of us)
• all crew have to get ISAF classification
• all crew have to submit data to Race Organisers
• berthing to be arranged at preparation marina
• scrub to be arranged pre-race
• berthing at start marina
• berthing at finish marina
• insurance for race and delivery trips (over and above usual)
• entry fees for boat and crew
• …..and a  bit more

But  – we’re getting there (or Heartbeat IV is anyway). She can be located at http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0DUK0fD232zkExgndx9d4cm6zLk1SOXdx  – which is quite a nifty locator.

For those that don’t know he Newport Bermuda Race is a 635-mile ocean race, much of it out of sight of land, usually lasting three to six days. It crosses a stretch of the Atlantic Ocean known for challenging weather, especially in the Gulf Stream, where there are strong currents (http://bermudarace.com/race/). It’s the most important US offshore race.

Gradually the excitement is building!  Heartbeat will be delivered to Pilot’s Point Marina by first 10 days of May from Jolly Harbour in Antigua.  At the moment a team of Paul, Sarah, Steve, Jason, and Judy and Marcus will be going out to prepare the boat for ORR measurement and safety check between about May 15th and 20th. A very tight timetable. Our Application for Entry has been accepted and we are now entered for the race! The team will then go out on for June 13th prior to moving from Pilot’s Point Marina, Long Island (http://www.byy.com/CTMarinas/Westbrook/Welcome.aspx) to Newport, Rhode Island for the 18th June.

A picture of a previous start:

We hope this will be another fantastic Heartbeat IV adventure, and with the core team already on stream we probably have a couple of additional spaces available.  Currently the requirements are slowly being completed – we all have to register to be graded by ISAF as amateur sailors.  Large numbers of forms and details need to be supplied, as with all offshore races, where the emphasis is on safety. As I complete these forms at 0300 I wonder whether Mike Slade has to do the same?

Sadly Heartbeat IV, although in Jolly Harbour, Antigua has not done this years Caribbean 600 as all efforts are directed towards the Bermuda Race.  Current plan is Heartbeat leaves Antigua late April and will travel ~ 1500 miles to Pilot’s Point Marina in Long Island. We will then have to get her race fit and rated ORR by May 22nd. No pressure.  A crack prep team will be in Long Island from ~ May 15th to 20th. Come and join us as we need all the help we can get.  We will then mainly travel out on ~ June 13th for the start of the 635 mile Newport-Bermuda Race on 2oth June.  We hope to do a quick divert to Manhattan with Heartbeat to overnight at Battery Park and sail past the Statue of Liberty.  Find out all about the race here –  http://bermudarace.com/2014-race/.

Whilst following this year’s Caribbean 600 we came across some images from 2013 of Heartbeat – see http://www.francescaphotography.com/shop/2013-rorc-caribbean-600.html.  We had been tracking Selene closely this year and she had made a great tactical move putting her into the lead of IRC 3 but for some reason she has retired. All on board are fine but the reasons for retirement are as yet unknown.

Anyway here’s a few pics of Heartbeat IV (and III)  in sunnier climes or doing other things
in the last few years. We’re looking forward to being back on board Heartbeat IV!

Approaching Redonda - RORC Caribbean 600 2013

Rolex Middle Sea Race 2011

Somewhere in the Atlantic - ARC 2012

Marigot Bay, St Lucia 2012

Marigot Bay, St Lucia 2012

Finish of Rolex Fastnet Race 2009 - Heartbeat III

Heartbeat IV and Selene (Adrian Lower’s Swan 44) were joint recipients of the 2013 David Geaves Trophy. This Trophy presented by David’s family in honour of an outstanding East Coast sailor, is awarded to the EAORA boat that races the most miles in the year in RORC races, EAORA series and the Williwaw Trophy. Unusually although neither boat raced on the East Coast this year, their participation in the ARC Transatlantic Race in the RORC Racing Divisions and the RORC Caribbean 600 meant that the 3400 miles covered gained them the Trophy. Heartbeat’s crew for both races was entirely made up of sailors who were all stalwart EAORA sailors.  The Trophy was presented at the Royal Burnham Yacht Club Annual Prizegiving Dinner. Judy, Jason and Adrian are seen below with the Trophy. Congratulations also to Paul Wood, Mike Dennehy and the Erotic Bear team for winning the RBYC Best Class 3 boat.

Signficant dates for next year (2014!) for Heartbeat IV (now sheltering from hurricanes in Antigua) are the Newport-Bermuda Race (start 20th June 2014); the Caribbean 600 (start Antigua 24th February 2014) and Antigua Week (start 26th April 2014).   Information on these respective races can be found at http://bermudarace.com/ and http://caribbean600.rorc.org/ and http://www.sailingweek.com/v3/index.php.   Heartbeat is under the care of  Horizon Yacht Charters at http://www.horizonyachtcharters.com/yachts/antigua_dufour45.html.  Hope some of you are enjoying the summer.

Got a message  from Marcus B last week who was in Antigua and checked HB IV out in Jolly Harbour. She looked good. ARC have just created an ARC 2012 Video Competition. So we have put together a 9 minute video. We would like to win so have a look at the video in the list of entrants (Heartbeat IV does the ARC 2012) and make sure you Like it (if of course you do!).  The link to the competition site is: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSC0os7BPRsdRB8C6gaFm7gmztAT_4A0C . You need to scroll down to find it.  Start Liking!!

A video (with still some corrections and additions to be made) of the Caribbean 600 can be seen by going to www.vimeo.com and then (cut and paste this) under Search, searching for Heartbeat IV – Dufour 45e.   This also shows some of the previous videos of Heartbeat adventures.

I’m not sure  – stuck in a satphone somewhere I think – and will try and retrieved them. Anyway – what a hard race – all agreed most testing ever – but fantastic.  Superb team never stopped trying – we podiumed (as we say) by coming 3rd in IRC 1 – completing course in 3d 12h 12m 45 – just before midnight on 22nd.  For now go to photoaction.com and see some of the pics (http://www.photoaction.com/six13/six13.htm).  Meanwhile some of our own pics below! Just been told Selene finished in 4d 4h 32m 2s – placing her 3rd in Class 3 (so they podiumed too).

Heartbeat IV on way to Redonda

Redonda - start of beat home

Youngest member of team tailing

Pre-race drinks with Selene

Flying the EAORA flags

Distinguished East Coast sailors - or that's what they said

Caribbean 600 start

Cookie, iBob and Posh-Boy

At 14 24 27 UTC on 10th December Heartbeat IV completed the ARC 2012. As we came round Pigeon Island from a dead run we gybed onto port tack in about 25 knots of breeze in a lumpy sea – had about a 2 mile reach/fetch towards Rodney Bay and were greeted by Tim Wright taking images.  Luckily we had got the boat looking reasonably shipshape and with everyone on the rail he hopefully got some good pics. Then we went hard on the wind to go to the pin end for optimum line bias (racing to the end).  Crossed the line to massive cheers and tears from all of us. So after 2800 miles of intensive racing in testing weather we survived. For added thrills on the last night of ~ 200 miles using an Atlantic rig at 0400 watch change (just after Jason says to Nicola – ‘calamity crew coming on watch – mast will be down in 5 minutes) there was a massive bang, depowering, and huge thumping of large object on sails and deck – initially couldn’t establish what had happened. The mast fitting of the spin pole had failed and the pole was still attached to genny clew – partially punched a hole in the main and was then controlled by Trev and JPJ and a spare attached.  The final 50 miles was then fairly event free with a scrambled egg, Serrano ham breakfast.  Great to be welcomed by the superb ARC 2012 and St Lucia welcome team but also by Mike and Sue Paterson and Mike (ex-Commodore of Marconi Marine Sailing Club). Pleased to be berthed next to Scarlet Oyster and then to catch up with Quokka team. Off the bar and then it all gets a bit hazy for some reason until this morning which dawned with pouring rain! Assorted pics of finish arrival.  Thanks to all who have helped Heartbeat IV get to St Lucia and all those who have been following and sending messages.  Love from all the Heartbeat IV team – Heartbeat IV listening, out, –  Channel Rum Punch.

Well, it’s Saturday afternoon, 16th February 2013 – two days before the Caribbean 600. All crew except Ash and John are here (ie Judy, Jason, Grace, Nic, Roger, Paul, Marcus, Trev, Dani), they are due in a couple of hours. Boat looking in good condition, all cruising stuff removed, about to be dive scrubbed, main and #3 repaired and all set for trial sail tomorrow a.m.  Great dinner in the Antigua Yacht Club last night, met up with most of Team Selene, saw Rory Munro. Saw Richard Power earlier when having breakfast. Skipper’s briefing at 1700h.  Safety check cleared.  Some other pretty impressive boats here.  See the pic of Maltese Falcon below.  Rainstorm for an hour or so this morning – now 28C, Easterly 20K. Half the team off for sightseeing at Nelson’s Dockyard.

At VC Bird Airport, Antigua

Heartbeat IV - Antigua Bay Marina

Looking across Falmouth Harbour

Our next door neighbour - Maltese Falcon

Heartbeat IV leaves Martinique tomorrow and should be in Antigua on Sunday.  Team begin to fly out on Tuesday.  Final member arrives on Saturday 16th.  On board will be Jason, Judy, Grace, Dani, Ash, Paul, Trev, Roger, Nic, John and Marcus   More details of the RORC Caribbean 600 can be found at http://caribbean600.rorc.org.    You can track the entire race (starting on Monday 18th February 2013 at http://caribbean600.rorc.org/blog/race-information/tracking/index.html.

Will she, won’t she. As ever, never quite sure with Heartbeat IV.  Repairs now finished with the exception of replacing second spreaders.  Spares arrived today in Le Marin so hopefully will be dealt with by rigger on Monday. Plan is to leave Martinique on 9th – arriving anyway, at the latest, 12th or 13th in English Harbour.  Team all with flights except J and J and G.  Hoping to get confirmed in next couple of days. Will be a bit of a rush to get ready for start on 17th but we’re used to that.  Thoughts also with Charlie Pitcher about to set off rowing single-handed across the Atlantic hoping to beat 40 day record. His boat Soma looks fantastic – but Charlie, rather you than me.  If anyone can do it Charlie can.  Fair winds, currents and rowing – follow him at www.transatlanticsolo.com and donate to his charities.

Final result for ARC 2012 – was 3rd in RORC Racing Division – with which we are very pleased as an amateur, unsponsored, production boat with a mean ew crage of  52 (how did I put up with all the old people?).

Heartbeat arrived in Martinique last Saturday prior to repair work before the Caribbean 600. A low res video of the ARC is now available at http://vimeo.com/57743327 .  The copyright free music track is awful!!

…in a total of 15 days 1 hour 39 minutes and 32 seconds. We raced a total of 2771 miles.  Tim Wright from photoaction.com was there to record the finish and with his permission reproduce a couple of the images.  We had managed to get Heartbeat IV and ourselves looking relatively shipshape and came in with perfect weather to end a challenging but fulfilling adventure.  What a fantastic team we had!!!!

Surfing St Lucia

HB IV team near ARC finish

Passing Pigeon Island

HB IV ARC team

Not far now

Crossing the finish line!

Job done!!

..running out of spare or replacement running rigging – sea state not safe enough for up mast so having to wait for a bit of a lull to see if we can re-rig a couple of halyards. Now currently the ‘Atlantic Rig’ – #2 poled out with main. Had hoped to be in in under 15 days but not possible as have lost 60 miles in last 2 days. Last night however was superb A5 and main – 8.5 – 13.3 knots – but not after temp halyard blew on 0400-0800 watch |(aka the Calamity watch). Followed  by genny halyard – so rerouted spin pole uphaul. What japes. Still a nice a selection of charcuterie for lunch with iced coffee and PB currently preparing apple crumble and custard for sups.   Pics of Jude trimming assy – Rog helming early Sunday morning and daytime downwind.

Well – Thursday night nice steady 20 knots S2 and main – sudden unexpected increase in wind butr manageable for most of the time – all helms struggling with round ups and broaches – all sail outofable (if that’s a word). Then spin halyard broke in am leaving us short of halyards. Too unstable to replace – rehoisted on remaining spin halyard (currently topping lift). Change to assy 5 – another halyard loss – then to boomed out #2 – slight lull – Trevor up mast – externalised two new halyard – S2 back up. Noted slight damage to starboard spreader 2. Wrap of S2 – down – 4 hour repair of damage by Nic. Continued on. Weather good and sunny – 13 – 15k – making good progress – 270 degrees. Overnight steady downwind – trouble free progress till 0400-0800 watch – with S2 – wrap (this time by Wrap Star Magee – previous wraps courtesy by skipper and Roger) – S2 down – tore on damaged spreader – Trev up mast repair/reinforcement of spreader. Mention must be made of Russell unwrapping a wrap by fantastic sailing – his knot tying transgression (don’t ask) now forgiven.  #2 poled in interim.  S2 back up. Temporary halyard block failed after  6 hours.  Wind slight shift so reconfigged – and now making steady progress – direct towards St Lucia.  A very non-stop 36 hours – all probs currently being dealt with but generally tiring for all. Skipper used ear plugs for first time and slept through most of early Saturday morning repairs (including hammering of spreader). Spirits high – just trying to keep as much pace as possible without damaging anything more. Very aware of positions of other boats.  More and more flying fish –  no dolphins (one small pod of 6-12 yesterday – not seen by all) – an anonymous vessel last night – wouldn’t respond. About 5 miles away port quarter.  Currently all awaiting le chef’s lunchtime wraps (a wrap master in the best onboard sense). Lovehearts, Mini Cheddars and Mr Porky’s very best pork scratchings pretty much the staple diet of all helms at present when driving. Sponsorship opportunities for these and other confections or savouries can be discussed in the future.  Pics are Trev on deck and  up mast and Saturday pre-lunch watch awaiting food!!

Sorry about lack of blog yesterday but we had satphone probs (ran out of credit – I know, I know – but luckily we were cold called about claiming for mis-sold PPI so we asked them to contact our service provider)- now sorted – and a few electronics issues (no wind or speed or location data) – now sorted. Now going upwind – yes indeedy – along the rhumb line (or Rum Punch Line as we trying to think of it) – with under a 1000 miles to go. Weather situation interesting tactically. Last two days brighter and sunnny (well yesterday anyway – cloudier today) but with a steady lightening breeze – assy 2 and 5 out briefly yesterday for a few hours – now #2 and main. Last two nights still loads of electrical storm and enough rain to need full wets. On the food front – yesterday more fresh scones with jam made from our own onboard raspberries and the previous day fresh bread rolls. Today I watch as Mr Blande prepares fresh pizza base and tuna, sweetcorn and potato salad for lunch. It is sounds lovely but as he drips sweat for flavouring (no salt required) – it’s not quite as glamorous as it sounds. Temperature in cabin around 38C. Injuries are all on the mend with the help of paracetamol and ibuprofen – Mrs P-J has been able to trim assy – so added speed. Flying fish still throw themselves at Mr Walker and now Ms Paterson – but as yet no sign of dolphins or similar. Dinner as yet to decided on team vote – curry or spicy sausage pasta. So far the plans for reading books, watching films and listening to music have been limited. Currently Mr ‘Fixit’ Bassett, myself and Ms ‘On the Case’ Paterson doing important men’s and women’s work observing Mr Blande – so no excuse for slacking. The on deck team are Mr ‘Bogmeister’ and Mrs ‘Cabin Service Director’ Walker, Mr ‘Pants’ Magee (and his magic pants), Jude ‘Senior Management’ PJ, and Roger ‘Mr Angry’ Temple (have you ever seen ‘Dead Calm’?). Now a lot of the sailors appear to be changing a sail so I’m trying to look very busy and occupied writing this blog.  Today (5th) also Lizzie P-Js birthday back in England – so happy birthday Lizzie from Dad and Jude and all the HB IV team. Now it’s the 6th and after a slightly wet night – now in sun with A5 and main in 18k making about 8.5 SOG.  Have just spotted a ship on our starboard quarter – the Global Bonanza bound for the Orinoco River –  CPA in 36 mins and about 0.8nm.  Heat now increasing dramatically – tactical strategy working OK.  Plan is just to keep racing and avoid breaking anything – temp vang exploded again but had lasted 2000 miles (thanks to Barton blocks – ‘blocks don’t come tougher than this’ and Dolphin Sails sail ties – ‘sail ties don’t come tougher than this’). Interesting Facts about ARC 2012 – 9 sailors used just one bottle of sun cream in 10 days; wet weather gear used every night so far). Just had fresh melon for mid-morning break. Pios attached are of assorted sailing last couple of days.

200 + run by midday 45 Monday. Another windy, squally, wet, electrical night but rain flattened water so last 12 h overnight straightlining at ~ 8.5 – 12k. After sunrise big change in weather with sun and lighter breezes so have been using variously A2, A5 and # 2 with unreefed main. Managed to get everything dried pretty rapidly before became cloudy with a couple of showers. Wind now SE about 10-15k doing about 8k. Lots and lots of flying fish, laundry done, watermaker working, sail repairs underway to #3. Pics are of Ms Paterson, round-the-world sailor and sail repairer at work and the laundry team working under the supervision of Cabin Services Director – Ms Walker. The third is another of our 2012 Heartbeat IV December bruise collection! And the 4th is the bilge empting team. In a separate blog we will show pics for the MoBro website for prostate and testicular cancer where Mr Blande today removed his month old Movember moustache for charity.  If you log onto the MoBro site and search for Paul Blande, donations for charity can be made which would be nice. We think he holds the record for the moustache shaved off farthest from land this year at 21 28N 40 35W.