Archive
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vendredi 10 novembre 2023
ALCYONE Outremer 55light 2004 : 55 000 000 xpf (458 333 €) "ALCYONE" avec son nom d'origine est mon 7ème multicoque , le 3ème hauturier après: - " SALE GOSSE " Trimaran repliable F31 avec…
dimanche 5 novembre 2023
Polynesian waters and atoll's life...What else ? After such a long cruise in the Pacific, ALCYONE is now "relaxing" in polynesian waters: We met again in a remote Tuamutu atoll Bertrand, a…
jeudi 3 juin 2021
Well... I feel sorry as internet irregular connexion and intensity of this last polynesian experience will delay the blog to undetermined date. But I keep taking photos n ll fill it…
mercredi 2 juin 2021
2 degres latitude North...we have some light South wind...this wind should switch sooner or later to south east; the challenge is to stay as closed as possible from this wind to gain some…
lundi 31 mai 2021
08 05'N/ 119 16'W is the point where we sailed south to cross the doldrum. This doldrum is not stable in april but most of the time between 2N and 10N. As we can move between 2 and 3…
vendredi 23 avril 2021
23 april morning: A very short sailing to Nuevo Vallarta with the landbreeze, a very friendly custom n immigration visit, we anchored a bit in the front of NUEVO VALLARTA to hide the heavy…
jeudi 22 avril 2021
Covid still create a mass: in LA CRUZ anchorage and marinas of PUERTO VALLARTA , many americans decide to stop or to sail north to Baja...or to reach us west coast through Hawai, French…
samedi 10 avril 2021
For us the sea of CORTES cruise is over: we have to reach now directly Mexico mainland 550 miles more south before our next pacific passage. We are surprised: the northerns, so numerous and…
samedi 10 avril 2021
BAHIA CONCEPCION is one of the most famous cruising place in Baja...this is also with SANTO DOMINGO anchorage the end of our real cruising in Baja this year. Covid pushed us in 2020 to rush…
samedi 10 avril 2021
We intend to spend time on isla SAN MARCOS, in front of SANTA ROSALIA. This island seems very attractive for spearfishing despite the gypse mine in the south; unfortunatly the water is nor…
vendredi 2 avril 2021
SANTA ROSALIA: The contrast is strong with our last stop, KINO on the other side of CORTES SEA. This little town is more than a simple transit place for regular ferry linking GUAYMAS 72m…
jeudi 1 avril 2021
The timing is tight: A Northern is coming on 31st, the next real stop is STA ROSALIA more than 90 miles away and tempting Isla SAN PEDRO MARTYR is almost on the way. To keep a slight chance…
mardi 30 mars 2021
TIBURON ISLA is already a miss... I'am sure the west coast can offer pretty spots; unfortunatly wind ll blow strongly from the north for the coming hours and we have to point to the south…
mardi 30 mars 2021
SAN ESTEBAN in the middle of the sea of Cortes should provide a decent anchorage on the east side and we leave EN MEDIO COVE before day break, a nice downwind sail and we arrive early…
mardi 30 mars 2021
Pierre left and we are again alone together with Helena...we leave next day with a good wind for anchorage hopping in Bahia de las Animas; This bay share with Bahia de Los Angeles the same…
mardi 23 mars 2021
What a pity...we are connected with Pierre from many weeks for the Tuamutu project, we joined together in Mexicali despite the covid problems and spent 2weeks n half in Puerto Penasco to…
mardi 23 mars 2021
We leave Puerto Refugio with the same unexpected weather; a few days without northern lift the morning temperature from 11 to 18 degres...no need of the small heater in these…
lundi 22 mars 2021
Again we use the engine most of the time to reach Puerto Refugio, even with a start before daybreak, we want to use the very calm wheather forecast on the spot. Camaroneros also start…
lundi 22 mars 2021
The afternoon beach shore break give us a wet experience and we decide to move to the better anchorage of Bahia Willard, a bit more north. The Fernandez family (18 members) lives…
lundi 22 mars 2021
South is the only direction for us: with the still dominant north winds, mornings are chilly... not much above 10 degres; The first move before breakfast is to open the heating...fortunatly…
lundi 22 mars 2021
Isla san Jorge is only 20 miles more south: our first stop As in many places in Baja, a noisy sea lion colony lives here... But not only... as numerous boobies choice the island to breed…
samedi 13 mars 2021
This is the D day... ..with a complete new bottom n polish, Alcyone has never been looking so nice ! Smiling and superfast Pancho at work to move the cat... ... when Pierre is using the…
mercredi 10 mars 2021
We could have splashed the cat before but some delay with an order postpone the splash from a few days, we rent a car to have a better idea of PUERTO PENASCO than the few restaurants at…
mardi 2 mars 2021
The Boat is in good condition immaculate inside...but very dirty outside, no doubt: PUERTO PENASCO is in the middle of the desert ! 2/3 weeks are normal to prepare quietly the cat; this is…
lundi 22 février 2021
Unlucky: from a few days, France restrict a lot all kind of international moving . We always respect the anti-covid measures but have really no choice with our one way flight to Mexicali:…
samedi 20 février 2021
We HAVE TO come back to the boat in Puerto Penasco: Some work wait for us in as the hulls are already sand blasted, waiting for a complete epoxy protection and it's take usually 3 weeks to…
mardi 12 janvier 2021
12 january: update our flights to Mexicali are booked for 19th feb. We cannot wait more to join ALCYONE: let'hope this plan is not delayed as the hurricane season is not to far now; we have…
vendredi 1 janvier 2021
Jean Luc taking off before us above Roselend lake...
vendredi 1 janvier 2021
After so many month cruising, how delicious is it to enjoy on home shore infinite food choice, best bed and long showers. France, avoiding the crowded time, remain an unic playground to…
jeudi 9 avril 2020
26th march at 12h ALCYONE is anchored in SANTO DOMINGO, on the east side of famous BAHIA CONCEPCION. With a light northern, this shallow anchorage is note really protected but not far from…
dimanche 5 avril 2020
On 22th march, ALCYONE is anchored again n SOUTH CORONADO, about 7 miles away from LORETO: A nice place with a special interest (what a shame for a cruiser) : an internet connection: Our…
dimanche 15 mars 2020
After a serious fresh food fill, we can leave LORETO for CARMEN island. The east part offer a safe but not always confortable anchorage in front of the deserted bahia Salinas. This site is…
jeudi 5 mars 2020
SANTA CATALINA ISLAND has 2 tricky mooring posibilities by Northwind; tricky because the bottom is a stone field without sandpatch to burry anchor; on the west coast, by settled weather,…
mardi 3 mars 2020
We say good bye to our friends in La PAZ airport n prepare our trip north: This time from False Bay: no need to enter in the laguna again; here is a safe place for our dinghy under a…
dimanche 9 février 2020
ALCYONE has time to push a bit north of the park, in a landscape dominated by SIERRA LA TARABILLAS with 5 very attractive anchorages mostly classical between the mainland and both islands…
dimanche 19 janvier 2020
We wait for some closed friends to spend 2/3 weeks around LA PAZ; the city is very convenient to get all we need: Clean diesel "top up" jerry-jug from gas stations, good choice of food and…
samedi 18 janvier 2020
Waiting for our spare parts in LA PAZ...we can't resist to rent a car to make a day trip to the SIERRA DE LA LAGUNA...this is a 300km roundtrip drive including 50km on a sand road but it's…
vendredi 17 janvier 2020
Its the first time that ALCYONE spend so much time in the same anchorage, especially "downtown" as she is just a few hundred meters from the Malecon, the local "Croisette"Why ? - LA PAZ…
dimanche 29 décembre 2019
Alcyone is downwind from CANADA, but things ll change now as we have to sail back north and the sea of Cortez is dominated in winter by ...northern. There is not many choices if we don't…
samedi 28 décembre 2019
Less than 20 miles separate SANTA MARIA from the entrance of the MAGDALENA laguna...Or first anchorage is not far, befhind the PUNTA ENTRADA....Rocky botom n tidal stream but a wonderfl…
samedi 28 décembre 2019
From TURTLE BAY, we ll try to follow the coast as closed as possible. This coast is hilly and very dry but scatterd with small fischers camps. It's hard to believe but except in front of…
jeudi 19 décembre 2019
December...its late in the season and North Baja ll receive visit of other lows; we decide to rush south with an offshore course to classical anchorage of TURTLE BAY with only one stop in…
jeudi 19 décembre 2019
Almost one month later than the famous Rallye BAJA HA HA (a fleet of 150 boats) ALCYONE cross the mexican border. First stop is in ENSENADA s we want to cruise some parts of the pacific…
samedi 2 novembre 2019
South California...we expect the worst but what we are going to see is opposite: The coastline between Port san Luis n Santa Barbara is one of the wildest we sailed. Down the coast,…
mardi 22 octobre 2019
Sailing along the US coast is easy despite the fog n the lack of wind...we just follow the highway one as many tourists... Central California show us how the landscape change from the…
samedi 19 octobre 2019
Thanks the small heater, we are not in a hurry; let's follow the coast down to Mexico ! In USA, this is more tourism than adventure to follow southward the famous highway 1. Leaving…
mercredi 2 octobre 2019
Newport...after 2 nights, we wait for the best time to enter in the Yaquina river as a depression arrive, no problem, no bar...one big unit of the coast guard is permanently dredging the…
mardi 1 octobre 2019
Many surprise expect us to cross the JUAN DE FUCA strait, the first step before sailing south to OREGON : First good surprise on 28 september morning: No need to stop to the Sidney custom…
vendredi 27 septembre 2019
To drop anchor as closed as possible from VANCOUVER downtown, the solution is FALSE CREEK: cruisers must obtain an authorization; This is easy n immediatly available through internet but…
vendredi 27 septembre 2019
The Sunshine coast is the closest from VANCOUVER and it's easy to notice: More constructions on the shore and less space for the non local cruisers: Anchoring space is scarce; if this is…
lundi 23 septembre 2019
With a cold water of the strait, the fog is persistant and we freeze, even if we sail fast downwind and meet superb couple of Killer whales, diving in a perfect synchronicity. After a last…
lundi 23 septembre 2019
My son JIM has short holiday n come from Auckland for a couple of week; if sailing alone is interesting, enjoying alone is not... sharing good moments give double pleasure n this news is…
dimanche 22 septembre 2019
I can tack with pretty strong NW to no distant OTTER COVE where life is plentyfull. The current tables n the hope to welcome Helena on a landing spot pushed me to leave the cove at 5h00…
samedi 21 septembre 2019
From KLAKISH INLET, only 2 steps separate ALCYONE fom cape SCOTT, top NW of VANCOUVER island; my obsessionnal quest to find other bears, using the tiniest chunks of rivers is vain but the…
samedi 21 septembre 2019
Cruisers are not numerous north of last sound and they prefer docking than anchoring; if you want to meet them, you can do it along the docks of the rare small communities; ALCYONE is…
vendredi 20 septembre 2019
This part of VANCOUVER ISLAND is historical with passage of Europeans (Spanish then English) when France was still busy with the revolution; YUQUOT was also a major trading center for the…
vendredi 13 septembre 2019
Unfortunatly, Helena had to leave ALCYONE to fly back to Hong Kong as her mother health was quickly deteriorating, I continue alone north with intention to sail around the island: No many…
vendredi 13 septembre 2019
BAMFIELD is a very pretty place to visit with a boardwalk along the north side of the inlet; we left to anchor deep inside before returning closer to the ocean in UCLULET. ALCYONE anchored…
vendredi 30 août 2019
BARCLAY'SOUND is the first one we ll cruise, it's also the largest. This area is popular with the US boats sailing from Oregon and even from more south as the first place where they can…
jeudi 29 août 2019
Why sailing away from British Columbia? The climate is now very pleasant, the food is excellent and it seems to be a potential of many years of cruising in this maze of island and inlets.…
mercredi 31 juillet 2019
Very few european boats visit British Colombia: The cruising season is quite short if you like warm weather and the way to arrive here is not so easy even from panama canal; as adverse…
lundi 15 juillet 2019
The depression leave us a few milles from the USA/CANADA border; we have to require help of the engines to enter in Neah Bay, on the US side with our yellow flag ; without VHF american…
dimanche 14 juillet 2019
After 20 hours engine hours during this calm, wind catch up from the SE again and we can rig the Code 0 ... the sunny sky vanished n all become grey, the jib replace the Code 0, we start to…
vendredi 12 juillet 2019
Efficiency n courtesy of the custom officer was prefect n we could get a 1 year cruising permit n USA for 19 usd, writing on the official receipt that "we did'nt know we had to require such…
lundi 24 juin 2019
Nothing happen again as we thought; this time to our advantage as we virtually never face any doldrum conditions between 2 and 7 degrre north and we could regulary establish stages of more…
lundi 24 juin 2019
The weather is very calm...let's spend a couple of days in the atoll... First at all: heading to a protected zone upwind... ...avoiding with good light these coral heads of course not on…
lundi 24 juin 2019
Leaving with an established SE (This time) we can sail to Tuamutus with relative confort an good speed to arrive in AMANU, an atoll I visited in family in 2001; I got a special memory about…
dimanche 23 juin 2019
RAIVAVAE is not so far from the other austral island RAPA wich is famous in Polynesia for the strong natural conditions including wheather as the location seems ito be n a corridor that…
mercredi 29 mai 2019
The strong winds blowing in RAIVAVAE "help" us a lot to spend 2 weeks in this place, so remote from the world even from Tahiti despite the recent air connection; an island you can walk…
mercredi 22 mai 2019
A very important religious ceremony happen in may each year when each one of the communities of the island invite the others ; about 1/3 of all the island is there and to spend all the…
mercredi 22 mai 2019
From 15th, conditions soften a lot, n we can remove the 3rd reef; but expected Alizee don't show up, we could sail half of the road with weakening westerlies before tacking the last couple…
mercredi 22 mai 2019
On 9 may, we still have 1100 milles to sail, mostly north to arrive in RAIVAVAE n we expect SE wind to rocket in 5 days to our final destination...but nothing in this trip happend like it…
mercredi 22 mai 2019
We don't see how we can sail around the huge high wich stay on our direct track to Raivavae, the only way except waiting for days n days, tacking in 25+k with the risk of another dep coming…
mercredi 22 mai 2019
Since the 3rd day…we are ok with the classical 3 hours shift rythm of ALCYONE ; we have to keep the nightly 2nd reef as wind switch to NE , but the worst is this nasty depression wich is…
mercredi 22 mai 2019
Wheather forecast is ok for the next 3 days n nothing wrong appear further on both GFS n competitor model... there are no reasons to wait more to leave: Biggest Danger is a strong…
vendredi 12 avril 2019
Jordan our british-american crew stop working in Nelson on the south island n we must meet him in Auckland with Jim who start some school holiday: a last cruise with Helena n a way to come…
mardi 9 avril 2019
We splash the cat on 28th march, expecting a crew on next day to test everything...on a 2 nights mini cruise in the area; Jordan a young british/american don't hesitate to take the plane…
vendredi 5 avril 2019
Working to prepare is an endless job...This time, ALCYONE has almost no more major refit, but w mut prepare it for a huge crossing to Canada; in Whangarei, we can escape NORSAND (definitly…
lundi 4 mars 2019
We find back ALCYONE on dry dock of South Pacific Gateway Marina in february. This time, the cat must be prepared for longer navigations: We intend to cross Pacific with objective to be in…
dimanche 3 mars 2019
As last year, the break is in les Saisies for christmas and new year; not for long; the old skiers met this year in Valmorel a bit letter with a nice powder delivery. Les Saisies the white…
vendredi 1 mars 2019
Time is running out, ALCYONE make another relaxing n cultural stop in Bay of island with visit of historical Keri Keri: Interesting to follow the river upstream with the dinghy and at the…
jeudi 28 février 2019
November along north coast...when kiwi wheather shows his good face...what else ? Manganui: not easy to find a space among the private moorings Mangonui fish n ship is supposed to be the…
jeudi 28 février 2019
Arrived in NZ on 9 november, we have the time to cruise to cape Reinga before lifting the cat in Whangarei dry dock; Jim is reaching us from Auckland: Bay of island is a nice park, very…
jeudi 28 février 2019
Just a couple of days in Noumea to say hello to family and goodbye to Alain, we rush with Philippe to clear the boat out fromNew Caledonia as it seems to be a good window coming; we do a…
jeudi 28 février 2019
Time is a bit running out and we don't stay more than 2 days in Belep before sailing back to Noumea, this time along the leeward coast. The north west part of NC is very attractive with dry…
mercredi 27 février 2019
We continue to extrem north of Pott island; no need to take the risk to enter in the north inlet with this strong wind n average clarity of water as anchoring in the leeward of the coast…
mercredi 27 février 2019
We arrive in Belep main anchorage in Wala on ile Art to do "coutume"; as often , a no touristic island offer nothing special but all we look for when we cruise: Authentic local life and…
lundi 25 février 2019
We start a few hours too early as huge quantity of water ll fall on the way north, especially on this place not far from highest peak of NZ mont PANIER;Local charts are very good here and…
lundi 25 février 2019
The wind catch up, we want to take a look to Astrolabe reef before heading to mainland Hienghéne; With the wave moving the bottom, water loose in some places clarity and coral patches are…
samedi 23 février 2019
Do not anchor BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE without a visit to St Joseph tribe in Ouvea. This remote island belong to their territory; this world belong also to nature in the air and numerous birds…
mercredi 20 février 2019
Turquoise is the color of Ouvea and the persistent light n sunny wheather alllow ALCYONE to cruise and anchor even windward of the desert islet of North Pleiades, very closed to offshore…
mercredi 20 février 2019
Impossible for u to visit teh "North Pleïades" without a visit to St Joseph tribe, owner of these islands and also of "Beautemps Beaupré island further north. With such light wind, no…
samedi 16 février 2019
Not many real anchorages on these south pleiades island controled by Mouly tribe, but the light permanent wheather authorize to anchor the cat almost anywhere; as soon as you leave the…
samedi 16 février 2019
The "coutume" is not always practiced in Ouvea but this belong to the tradition as the kava in FIJI. the "Pleiades"islands are controlled by 2 tribes and this is a big mistake to forget to…
samedi 16 février 2019
Alain come with us: he live in Noumea from dozens of years and could never circumnavigate the island...This is the best time to do it and his motivation is impressive; we left Noumea with…
samedi 16 février 2019
We leave Musket cove before the end of the event; a good window allow us to arrive earlier in New Cal; project is to circumnavigate the island at the best season. Helena has to fly back to…
dimanche 10 février 2019
Mamanucas are as dry as Yasawas, but even closer to Nadi airport and Port Denarau. Locals live from a long time from tourism: no dream, money is always the first question to visit anything…
dimanche 10 février 2019
This is the 7th time I visit the Yasawas: The top north offer superb deserted beaches where we could always anchor without any problem even without any "Sevu Sevu"... but not this year: We…
dimanche 10 février 2019
This is time to leave SAVU SAVU with Helena and to sail to the MAMANUCAS; solution we choice is not the shortest but probably the easiest: Sailing between the 2 main islands, crossing…
dimanche 10 février 2019
Leaving WALILAGA, no time to continue to some other reefs in the north as Qelelevu or Nuku Basanga we could visit 15 tears ago; we have to approach SAVU SAVU to drop Jim to his flight back…
samedi 9 février 2019
It's time to leave the reefs, not before anchoring in WAILILAGA, the only atol in FIJI; an easy pass, but a secure - but not confortable-anchorage. Beautifull paths cross the main island.…
samedi 9 février 2019
Let's sail to one of the reefs north of VANUABALEVU: Trade wind stays around 25k making Passage and mooring are a bit bumpy but the feeling to stay alone and the spearfishing are great.…
samedi 9 février 2019
That is the time for some remote experience : The crew want to fish...We have to tack against the trade when leaving SUSUI but it's the price to pay for a stay in this friendly village...A…
samedi 9 février 2019
The trade is established n blows around 30k+ during 3 days; no way to enjoy any "average" anchorage: we went to famous "MBAVATU" east anchorage; nobody there except a mooring in the middle…
vendredi 8 février 2019
It's time to leave FULAGA probably for ever; we have not so much time with Jim and decide to sail to the north of the LAU. An pleasant overnight sailing lead us to the VANUABALEVU ; but NW…
vendredi 8 février 2019
ALCYONE is probably the only sailing boat making an instant roundtrip between FULAGA area - and SUVA: we can get our son JIM on board for a few weeks. When somebody come on board for such a…
jeudi 7 février 2019
Not far and inhabited, this system of islets is more simple and a bit more visited by cruisers as no Sevu Sevu required. Entry is wide and 2 main anchorages are possible ; deep lagoon is…
jeudi 7 février 2019
After visit to the village, it's time to enjoy the huge lagoon; we could stay alone during these days n this gave us one of the best feeling we got in a cruise. OGEA offer a rare…
jeudi 7 février 2019
OGEA is very closed to FULAGA and if you look for another feeling, this is the island: Presenting your Kava to the single village is a challenge as you must target not more than one hour…
mercredi 6 février 2019
The LAU islands group was off limit for cruisers in 2003 during our fisrt visit in FIJI, but this group of island is now open from a few years ; we miss it last year: for the first…
mercredi 6 février 2019
SUVA...We got a 2003 bad experience about FIJI's main city when we stop during our circum navigation; this is a very wet place and the harbour is full of wrecks and decaying vessels ready…
mardi 5 février 2019
This year, no way to leave Opua with a gale warning...except some very wet time, we enjoyed a plrasant sailing without any stop in Minerve reef; so nice when above the 25th south we can…
samedi 2 février 2019
Great Barrier island: Any NZ cruiser ll talk about this place, not far offshore of North Island: ALCYONE had to sail there before her trip to FIJI; a nicer place than any marina to arrange…
samedi 2 février 2019
We are back to New Zealand full of energy: We know, after this first season in Melanesia that we still enjoy cruising and we are ready to seriously upgrade ALCYONE before a second season.…
samedi 2 février 2019
On the way back to New Zealand, impossible to avoid the short stop in Hong Kong with Helena'a family... I don't' like cities but this one is special...Any stay in Hong Kong give you a…
vendredi 1 février 2019
ALCYONE is on a dry dock . After this tough first season, the best way to keep the cruising motivation at highest level is to make a break: A complete break: change season from austral…
vendredi 1 février 2019
First solo experience for a week of sailing return to NEW ZEALAND...If cruising in paradise alone is something frustrating as you can't share anything, offshore solo sailing give a good…
vendredi 1 février 2019
Again in New Caledonia, but never tired to show the highlight of the south: One "islet" and... famous Ile des pins...
vendredi 1 février 2019
More than 6 days between these island is a kind of record...but challenge was to avoid any Yanmar use; ALCYONE need minimum 3k of wind to move with the autopilot. With less wind, better to…
samedi 8 septembre 2018
No reason to insist on all details of this first full responsable accident caused by ALCYONE...It's my fault as a captain; let'say nobody even one of the best Finn sailor can replace years…
samedi 8 septembre 2018
vendredi 7 septembre 2018
Nothing special, but a very peasant walk along the 27 km sandy road around this pretty island No taxis, no resort, almost no car ; only friendly smiles...This island can live very well…
vendredi 7 septembre 2018
. The police is chasing us during 2 days as we changed anchorage and were supposed to clear in despite our cruising permit, they found us in the empty store of the main village; After…
vendredi 7 septembre 2018
The paradox of Rotuma is that even if the island is written black on white in your cruising permit, the island is so isolated from the other and receive so few visitors that police want you…
jeudi 6 septembre 2018
Rotuma is a very isolated island; far north of FIJI, you cannot access to this place on a day sail, that why less than 6 boats a year visit the spot. Additionaly, the local inhabitants are…
dimanche 2 septembre 2018
Deciding to reach intriguing ROTUMA, we follow again the Yasawas heading north, not many milles to sail before finding deserted spots away from the resorts.
lundi 27 août 2018
A break before a crew change, just to try the cat solo in the Mamanucas n to use the dry weather to continue the refit at anchor in Musket cove: New bilge painting in both hulls, floor…
samedi 25 août 2018
ALCYONE cross again the Bligh waters; this time we reach the Yasawas and the touristic zone; The good reasons for the success of these islands: Dry weather, water clarity, easy acces from…
samedi 25 août 2018
Trade wind is sleeping a bit and we can stop an the return trip to Denarau on west coast of Yaqasa island...this is also out of the Fijian beaten track; brazilian side of Fiji... Best part…
jeudi 23 août 2018
We left KIA and met in the way back the only boat of this trip: A tahitian flag catamaran Pahi "AORAI" These Wharram designs are inspired from Polynesia , and are magic: so simple, so smart…
jeudi 23 août 2018
This island has the same name than another one on east side of Vanua Balevu, much bigger and more popular; in fact civilisation is not too far here with Labasa reachable in a couple of…
mercredi 22 août 2018
Jim our 20yo son can make a break in his Auckland study to join us 3 weeks...The crew of the round the world (1998-2004) is back; but this time Jim is no more a small kid, but a solid…
lundi 6 août 2018
We left Savu Savu n cross Bligh waters stopping in Makogai, then through channels around north of Viti Levu to Lautuka, where I met my younger brother Franck, new Caledonia resident on his…
lundi 6 août 2018
2 days of soft sailing more and we arrived in Savu Savu in FIJI; 16 years later, the place changed a bit with the very nicly renovated coprashed building but also much less possibilities to…
samedi 28 juillet 2018
5 days later we are in Minerve, just before the return of the NE, and shortly before a huge depression: in fact some cyclone still wander in the south west pacific, but being in Minerve…
samedi 28 juillet 2018
Time to leave NZ as Opua is really too cold in the morning and a 2 dozens boats rallye is also ready to head north. David a young italian backpacker got the dream to sail; we decided to…
samedi 28 juillet 2018
Alcyone begin sail more in Haurakei gulf for sailing tests, partly with the strangest cruising cat ever seen in 20 years "SQUID" own by a kiwi family we saw 15 years ago in Australia n…
jeudi 26 juillet 2018
Alcyone ll anchored in front of Bays water marina n after Jim's university start, we continue the refit with almost daily dinghy roundtrip to Auckland technical zone on south shore:…
jeudi 26 juillet 2018
jeudi 26 juillet 2018
jeudi 26 juillet 2018
Not so far from Whangarei...one of the easiest opportunity to approach Maori culture
mercredi 25 juillet 2018
PRIORITY REFIT BEFORE LAUNCHING with Helena n Jim on NORSAND drydock. Cleaning n trashing party of whole boat including bilges (many personnal cloths, food ...) Complete inventory of bat…
mercredi 25 juillet 2018
mercredi 25 juillet 2018
December 2016: Bisanne (Les Saisies) n the exceptionnal ski ...around the grass as snow was striking. December 2016: Le lac des fées (Beaufortain); no need ski this year to approach to…
mercredi 25 juillet 2018
Muriwai on NZ west coast: Ganets n surf Checking details of ALCYONE , an Outremer 55L in Norsand dry dock Whangarei ... ALCYONE first contact in Norsand Whangarei: Abandonned, dirty, but…
mercredi 25 juillet 2018
South lagoon with islets and many reefs offer wild moorings in permanent cristal clear water
mercredi 25 juillet 2018
Famous Ile des Pins receive now cruiseships, but not all days of the week...
mercredi 25 juillet 2018
After leaving Nouméa neighbourhood, respecting "Coutume" with locals help a lot to feel at ease especialy in Loyautés islands . Closer to "grande terre" Grande terre,.. Tiga... Ouvea...
mercredi 25 juillet 2018
"TORFOUYOU" means nothing but was the name of our first multihull bought with my brother Franck in the seventies: the Catyak from taburmarine , a very small boat with a kind of Optimist…
mercredi 25 juillet 2018
A choice far from the "Hollandie"...but also from the parents Anglosaxon organisation n social dynamism Auckland, city of sail...New Zealand is half of France with only 4 millions…
mercredi 25 juillet 2018
september 2016: Byby Cannes around the most famous poker of the area A Finn can get up to 3 people...not only 100kg guys Most famous "doctor" of the area, always at work...we ll miss him…
jeudi 3 novembre 2016
After 1st test season, 30% of cat's value spent and 2000 hours of work with Helena and Jim, ALCYONE is splashed in NORSAND Whangarei; she is now almost ready to sail back in South Pacfic…
lundi 15 août 2016
Many young sailracers now come from competitors'generations who "knows the system", but not everybody ! We love sailing, have an extensive cruising experience but had zero knowledge about…
lundi 25 juillet 2016
160730 DAY1-2: SLOVENIA/PRACTICE RACE N OPENING CEREMONY (129 pict.) We are not on the spot on day 1 for a "detour" through the cool part of Slovenia; such a small country with so many to…
vendredi 15 juillet 2016
160715 WORLD 420: DAY 1 WARM ITALIAN WELCOME IN MARINA AREGAI You ll find more than 2800 pictures in free picking about this world event. It ll be the first world championship and the last…
samedi 11 juin 2016
Kiel ! A magic name for every sailors... ... But sometimes so hard to participate for french crews due to timing of final exams... Price to pay for this second and last year participation…
samedi 11 juin 2016
BREAK: Beyond competition, sailing offer a world of options (p.64-69) ...
dimanche 29 mai 2016
PACA = Provence Alpes Côte d'azur: this french region get snow, see, sun and much more ! DAY 1 Aline and some Moth Europe join the party As in Cannes last year, more than 400 dinghies meet…
vendredi 29 avril 2016
DAY1: MISTRAL 160514 Sablettes IL Day1A 126 pict. Third and last "Interligue" of the season in this unusual and beautiful spot of "Les Sablettes". Wich westbound med cruiser never stop here…
mercredi 20 avril 2016
The "CIMA" is The big week for 420 sailors. Teams for all over France came to train on this special spot when others enjoy good food as not only oysters are famous here ! Everybody feel the…
samedi 9 avril 2016
Cantin and Arthur: Enthousiasm, Talent, Results ...with micro budget ! What a nice story ! 2 very young sailors Cantin ROGER and Arthur Boc HO met 1st time on the RED BULL french selection…
dimanche 20 mars 2016
160319-20 Interligue 420 MAUGIO-CARNON FRA 3 albums 367 pict. Benedicte at work with Xavier One of the 3 yearly "Interligues". Winter is still there even in Maugio-Carnon: it was a very…
mercredi 9 décembre 2015
IMPERIA WINTER REGATA 2015: A RECORD 151206 DAY 1 470 (61 pict.) 151206 DAY1 420 L (116 pict.) Wahou... More than 200 boats (470 n 420) of 10 countries this year in Imperia ! Coming 420…
mardi 1 décembre 2015
Dimanche 8, comme chaque annee le boulevard Gazagnaire est boucle. Cette fois, je ne resiste pas a descendre avec le Nikon pour prendre une petite tranche de cette belle epreuve... ...belle…
jeudi 15 octobre 2015
Georges, friend, offshore cruiser and cat's maniac Georges call me to help him on board of , TIVICAT , the press-catamaran of the Generali Solo 2015 . A good opportunity to discover another…
mardi 28 juillet 2015
150729 EUROSAF BREST 2015: In 420 serie, 16x2 boys and 10x2 girls from 7 countries are racing in huge Brest waters; no authorization received means no pictures (close up) to display... a…
samedi 30 mai 2015
150330 "FINALE DE LIGUE PACA" (multiserie) DAY 1 150530 Cannes "Finale de ligue" Cata/Mini J Day 1 (94 pict.) 3 clubs of Cannes : Cannes Jeunesse, Yacht Club de Cannes and Cannes Croisette…
dimanche 10 mai 2015
Don't look for the best smiles of this event on this blog as they are on official sites I invite you to visit as soon you can Given DVD photos Raphael PABLO . What a welcome from the…
lundi 20 avril 2015
150421 CIMA (420) BANDOL FRA The CIMA (coupe internationale de la mediterranee et de l'amitie) is one of the most competitive regatta in France. The prize for the top crews is to…
vendredi 13 mars 2015
150328 Interligue 1 (420) MARSEILLAN (5 albums 427 pictures) 150329 Marseillan IL before: saturday swimming party (64 pict.) Marseillan is a wonderfull place to eat oysters and any other…
lundi 9 mars 2015
150306 Cannes sailing cup (Nitros+SB 20) FRA : 4 races of 1st day only (707 pict.) This 3 days regatta is the new event 2015 choiced by the YC Cannes. 12 boats (SB20) joined the endemic…
jeudi 26 février 2015
150220 Carnival regatta (420) SAN REMO ITALY (738 pict.) Marina Aregai in Santo Stefano offered numerous advantages to organize this 3 days regatta: Very closed to attractive San Remo, a…
lundi 9 février 2015
150208 lig SANARY FRANCE (228 pict.) 137km/h mistral in Avignon this sunday...Courageous Sanary club - a famous club nested in such a tiny sunny space - start on time the first race at…
samedi 24 janvier 2015
150121 Ski voile (420/ski) ANTIBES FRANCE (128 pict.) What A great year for the ski after the miss of 2014 (no access to AURON). A 40cm powdersnow night delivery before a clear day. Jean…
lundi 8 décembre 2014
141205 IMPERIA ITA (389 pict.) Imperia...May be the worst and the best of Italy: The worst with the yearly unpleasant disparitions: from cheap pins from 420-trolleys every morning to…
samedi 15 novembre 2014
140418 Cip selection (OPTI) CANNES FRANCE (380 pict.) What a beautiful event this CIP ! the best optifrenchies under 16 fight to obtain a place in IODA world and european championship. I…
mardi 11 novembre 2014
140423 Cima sel. 420 CAP D'AGDE FRANCE (997 pict.) With 4 crew among the top 5, PACA start an impressive season. Day 3 was a super windy day and only gold fleet was authorized to…
mardi 21 octobre 2014
140524-25 "finale de ligue paca voile legere" EMBRUN FRANCE (276 pict.) A warm welcome from the locals; we could forget that the water level of the lake was very low. However, optimists,…
dimanche 19 octobre 2014
140727 TOUR DE FRANCE A LA VOILE: LAST DAY IN NICE (543 pict.) Georges invite me to follow this historical race of Tour de France a la voile 2014; historical as the last one of the year and…
lundi 13 octobre 2014
140626 Kiel week (234 pictures) Achtung Achtung !...Kiel 2014, not the best vintage about wind, anyway I was not at sea with my Nikon…and pictures including compact made are just here for…
vendredi 10 octobre 2014
140712 French National (420) OUISTREHAM FRANCE (653 pictures) Everyday sailing, international participation, nice organisation despite the bloody ferry, delicious seafood, dolphin's welcome…
jeudi 9 octobre 2014
What is this blog ? This blog "sea sail and us" follows many sailing events I participate with my NIKON. Why this Blog ? To allow friends, families or sealovers to download pictures…
jeudi 9 octobre 2014
140925 Regates Royales CANNES FRANCE (803 pictures) As perfect tourist, 2 days spent with Bernard on my RIB after the"Grand Pavois" in la Rochelle, among these sailing cathedrals fighting…
vendredi 3 octobre 2014
140829 Chpt de France espoir 420 MARTIGUES (602 pictures) Easy to understand why this major 420 event arrive in Martigues again in 2014 as the place offer a lot of positive points,…