Captain's Log

Adventures at sea...

Tideline Yacht Sales
17 Lockwood Drive
Charleston, SC 29401

PHONE: 843.813.3711
FAX: 866.467.8840
Email: glen@tidelineyachtsales.com

      In 1996 I bought a Belliure Endurance, and decided to go cruising. That simple statement has brought me diverse experiences and in contact with people from all walks of life. The boat is a 50 foot center cockpit sloop, with a draft of 6'7". She is very well suited to cruising and comfortable living aboard. A somewhat different lifestyle from working in a suit and tie for a stockbroker!

We sailed from Cape Town, South Africa in February 1997. We had spent about 3 months preparing the boat, and ourselves, for the voyage. We said goodbye to our neighbors, who had lived aboard their Gitana 40 “Three Ships” for ten years. They had done the crossing twice, once each way, and were going to do it again. He had a son in Recife, and thought they might cruise through the Caribbean at some point again. We did not know when we would see each other again.

Not wishing to tempt the wrath of the sea, we did not depart on a Friday, but rather left at 10 minutes before midnight on the Thursday night. We had to motor overnight, but in the morning we were able to set the sails. In fact, we raised the spinnaker pole and only set the Genoa. After 11 days, 1700 miles later, we anchored in the bay in St Helena. This is a volcanic island that comes down to sea level, and continues falling. As a result, there have been many instances where boats have anchored, sailors have gone ashore, and have returned to find their boat gone! We anchored in 60 feet of water, and I used a 75 lbs CQR with about 300 feet of chain.

The arrival onto the shore is also an interesting experience. There is a concrete landing about 30 feet long, with a bar raised about 10 feet. There are 5 or 6 lines hanging from the bar, and the idea is for one to step up, grab a line and swing ashore. Not always easy in a swell! continue to page 2 >>