Voyage overview
- Year: 2006
- Destination: Maine, USA
- Boat: Alamar
- Vessel type: Traditional Wooden Schooner 45 (built 1947)
- Distance sailed: 190 nm
- Skipper: Mark Daniel
- Crew: Chris Robson (“Dog Walker”), Simon Tyler (“Merch Meister”), Mark Wells (“Flannels”), Andrew Wagstaff (“BigWag”), Warren Creates (“ThaiGreen”), Boris Ulehla (“Boramar”), David Ashfield (“Shipmate Whisperer”)
Logbook notes
Part sailing, part circus, wholly unforgettable signature Phat Buoy adventure.
Alamar, an old wooden schooner used, in high season for school trips, offered bunks stacked like hammocks in a dormitory and miles of dangling rope, huge iron pulleys and curious rigging. No winches, no comfort, plenty of laughs.
A falling iron pulley nearly decapitated Warboy mid-conversation, saved only by inches and irony and the inconsistency of his story.
Below deck, the galley stayed warm thanks to Miss Shipmate 212 — our endlessly hungry wood stove, who Dasher had tickled into life on the second day at sea. She also supported the presentation of amazing meals, with the supporting cast of deck walking lobsters, uni (sea urchin) and a sea of honey bled from baklava.
Simon celebrated his 40th birthday aboard — a milestone toasted with rum, rice wars, the Supremes, guests from Islandia and very little dignity.
A wharf in beautiful Castine was the last night aboard, the crew dressed ready to go ashore after on-deck sharpeners (‘MarkGrrEaters’), but there they stayed drinking and talking all night long, never leaving Alamar. A clue that Phat Buoy connection and camaraderie held greater power than any shoreline attraction!
The story of the trip publications continued, Simon designed & wrote the most colourful journal yet, entitled “The Maine Course”.
