
(Above)
Capt. Eric Forsyth and the Fiona
MAY 4, 2008
APRIL 27,
2008
Crew Status for
Summer Cruise: all berths are filled. Crew signed on are:
Wayne, Long Island to Horta
Jason, Long Island to Terceira
William, Terceira to Long Island
Alicia, Terceira to St Johns
Knute, St Johns to Long Island
APRIL 18,
2008
Save this date--Sunday,
25 May, 2008, for Fiona's
Bon Voyage Party. Details, later.
APRIL 13,
2008
Just to help
dispel the notion that sailing simply consists of casting off
the lines and pushing out to sea here is another list of the
maintenance jobs currently in hand by Captain Forsyth.

Before |

After |
Reference my earlier note on maintenance
here is an update:
1) New galley countertop in Corian installed, see before and
after pics.
2) New cabin curtains and track installed.
3) Platform for aft head rebuilt.
4) Thru-hull valves in galley replaced.
5) Steering wheel leather re-stitrches.
6) Victor the Vane refurbishes.
7) George replaced by Raymarine 'SmartPilot'.
8) New filter installed on fuel line.
9) Trap installed on forward sink waste line.
10) SSB ground plates, inhand.
11) New AIS receiver presently being installed.
12) New port spreader support bracket in fabrication.
13) New cockpit box and AC inlet being installed.
14) Leak in aft hatch under investigation.
15) New lifeline installed on port side.
16) New forward bilge pump controller installed. |
APRIL 4,
2008
Captain Forsyth's
article entitled "Some Things Work and Some Don't,"
was published in the recent issue #169 of Ocean Voyager.
It was edited to match the space available. The full version
can seen on this site here. An abridged version was published in
Ocean Voyager magazine in March, 2008.
MARCH 29,
2008
Summer
Cruise Crew Status: LI to Azores, berths filled. Azores to St Johns
via Greenland, one berth open. St Johns to Maine, one berth open.
Maine to LI, two berths open.
MARCH 14,
2008
Capt. Forsyth's
latest DVD, Fiona Returns to Antarctica, is available
for sale for the first time here!
FEBRUARY
28, 2008
CREW CALL
The schedule for Fiona's summer cruise is posted on the
site. Anyone interested in crewing on the whole trip or a leg
should contact Captain Forsyth via email here. Sailing experience
is a must, although deep water experience is not necessary. Crew
are responsible for getting to and from the boat, expenses on
board are bourne by the captain.
JANUARY 22,
2008
Just to help
dispel the notion that sailing simply consists of casting off
the lines and pushing out to sea here is a short list of the
more major maintenance jobs currently in hand by Captain Forsyth.
At the moment work has come to a standstill as he recuperates
from a hernia operation.
The winter maintenance work.
When Fiona was hauled out at Weeks' yard in early November.
2007, I was able to start the winter refurbishing program. Here
is a brief list:
1. Winterize the hull and engine- completed
2 Replace sections of rubrail- completed.
3 Replace cabin curtains and track- new curtains obtained, track
yet to be installed
4 Replace galley countertop- new sinks on order, old countertop
removed.
5 Repair aft head- fabricated new mounting platform, parts on
hand for rebuilding toilet.
6 Repair of Force 10 stove- completed
7 Replace through-hull valves in galley- fittings installed,
valves on order.
8 Refurbish Profurl lower unit and swivel- completed.
9 Replace galley sea-water pump- completed.
10 Refurbish leather cover on wheel- not started.
11 Refurbish Victor the vane- Parts on order.
12 Replace George, the Benmar auto pilot- not started.
13 Install trap in forward sink drain- not started.
14 Replace wire mesh filter in fuel line- not started.
15 Refurbish SSB grounding plates- not started. |
JANUARY 21,
2008
Captain Forsyth
will show his recent video, "Fiona Returns to Antarctica"
at Berkner Hall, Brookhaven National Laboratory on Tuesday, 4
March, 2008, at noon. The show is free and open to the public.
Over 16 years of age require photo ID to enter the laboratory.
JANUARY 16,
2008
Captain Forsyth
has released the following:
FIONA'S
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE, 2008
|
16 June |
Leave Long Island. |
|
1 July |
Arrive Flores, Cruise Azores, CCA
Rally. Possible crew change. |
|
15 July |
Leave Horta. |
|
30 July |
Arrive Ivigtut, Greenland. |
|
15 August |
Arrive Disko. |
|
1 September |
Arrive Cape Chidley, Labrador. |
|
6 September |
Arrive Battle Harbour. |
|
12 September |
Arrive St. Johns. Newfoundland.
Possible crew change. |
|
18 September |
Arrive Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. |
|
24 September |
Arrive Bar Harbor, Maine. Possible
crew change. |
|
9 October |
Arrive Portland. |
|
18 October |
Arrive Long Island. |
JANUARY 12,
2008
The most recent
chapter of the Background on Capt. Forsyth, number eight, is
posted here.
JANUARY 2,
2008
Captain Forsyth
will give a short intro and show his latest video, "Fiona
returns to Antarctica," at Doyles Sail loft, 1345 New York
Ave, Huntington Station, Long Island on Thursday, 17 January,
2008, at 7:00 pm. Show is open to the public. Call 631-673-5055
for more details.
DECEMBER
26, 2007
A showing of
the Antarctic Cruise 2006-2007 video will be given at the Southold
Indian Museum, Bayview Rd, Southold on 20 January, 2008. Screen
time is 2:30 pm, the show is open to the public.
If you would
like to view the video, it is available here.
NOVEMBER
13, 2007
Capt Forsyth
was honored at the annual convention of the Seven Seas Cruising
Association on 11 November by the presentation of the Seven Seas
Award. The citation reads: "The Seven Seas Award signifies
the highest international recognition of a cruising sailor whose
experiences on the sea demonstrate a deep commitment to good
seamanship, and an understanding of the environment."
OCTOBER 26,
2007
Captain Forsyth's
article on the 2006/7 cruise, entitled 'Return to Antarctica'
, appears in the October issue of Ocean Navigator magazine.
OCTOBER 15,
2007
Captain Forsyth
will man a desk at the Seven Seas Cruising Association Convention
at Melbourne, FL, November 9-11. He will be there to promote
the Green Ocean Race. Stop by and let him have your thoughts
on the Race. As an incentive he will screen videos of past cruises.

Fiona off the
coast of Maine. Photo by L Schatzer |
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