Charlie's B(oat)LOG
19th January 2010 - Day 13 - PM
High seas and a good breeze from the North East has made all the difference. It is a different ball game now, not so much strength and raw grit, but more quick thinking and agility. Lot's of small changes all the time, rudder angle, centreboard depth and wind angle to keep the boat as neutral as possible. When this is so, tapping on the oars to help her along ...and we move! The most important thing is the autopilot can steer the boat quicker than me, so I must only engage it after I've set the boat up to maintain as much neutral in the forces on the rudder as possible. So when I'm rowing, this is what I'm doing and we are very fast. My boat is also the only boat out here that has an under-hung balanced rudder. Big difference to all the other transom hung rudders!
It all has to change when I need rest and stop rowing as the boat becomes a little slower and the apparent wind angle changes. I have to set the boat up differently by sitting and watching, changing, watching etc until she is neutral again. This will take a good fifteen minutes, then I can engage the autopilot and take some kip.
The last twenty four hours have been hectic with this change in the weather and I'm feeling quite exhausted (and very wet!), but I am confident of getting as much kip as I need over the next twelve hours or so.
I have already noticed the sun going down about an hour later then when we left La Gomera, but I am sticking to UTC time for sake of communications with motherland. This means we are getting there slowly but surely. I think I have travelled about a third of the race distance.
Again, thank you everyone for all your encouragement and messages. A big hello to Chris, Howard and all at the Felsted gym and Grange Farm Trotters. I can't wait to start running again!
With all the complicated things I have to do to keep this boat and myself going at a good pace, I've named today "Complicated Bill" day. Many of you will laugh! Maybe not Bill!
Posted By: Charlie Pitcher, 19th January 2010 18:13:57
Edited By: David Lidstone, 25th February 2010 11:44:27
hey buddy, Andy Wilkins has told me all about you. I look forward to having a drink together when you return......I wish you the best of luck....we all need it!
"Swim through jelly with a space suit on"........I'm going to use that phrase all next week in management meetings - I'll quote you of course.
Charlie,
Andy Wilkins sent me to give you a vote of support. I can tell you're doing a fantastic job. Not quite sure why Andy thinks you need more to think about:-) Good luck. Will continue following your progress.
Hi Charlie - you are doing fantastic! We didn't realise we could comment on your blogs, so sorry for not being in touch sooner! You and JJ are awesome, you are flying along-keep up the good work. We check you every day and every day you impress us even more. You are totally amazing...who needs 12 men to break a record hey???? Well done Charlie, we are proud of you and JJ, lots of love Emily and Jamie xxx
Hey Charlie
All the McLeod-Jones's send massive amounts of good wishes and good vibes. We are all so suitably proud of you. Well done and I know Shaun will be watching over you from above ( or below you - depending on your view of how naughty he was)....Keep going! Love, Kirsty ( Littlest McLeod-Jones x)
Hi Charlie,
You'll probably not remember me from the RBYC 30 years ago. I'm in Oz now. But anyway, congratulations on your fantastic progress! I'll be following your progress closely. Keep up the great work.
Just stumbled across this amazing challenge - you are absolutely bossing the race. Charlie Pitcher for Sports Personality of the Year 2010 (if you keep it up of course)!
Hey Charlie,
You're doing a top job navigating that vessel of yours. Andy Wilkins brought you to my attention.
I was wondering what the one thing is that you're missing the most from your creature comforts back home? Perhaps a Big Mac - prefer the quarter pounder with cheese myself (minus the gherkin of course!) Chocolate thick shake and fries? Maybe something more 'personal'? Maybe hearing the birds tweeting in the trees, or meeting your mates in the pub to share a laugh and a beer... well, all that is going on while you're leading the pack, all waiting for you when you get back.
I'm very impressed at how well you are doingl. The boat looks tiny! Is it like the Tardis (minus the time travelling capability)
Has Andy been telling you any of his jokes?
I'll leave you with a classic... don't want to put anything too blue in case you get younger readers...
A warning shopping scam.
Next time you go to the supermarket to do your shopping, be careful, because I became the victim of a clever scam… This is how the scam works
Two gorgeous 18-year-old ladies in bikini’s come over while your putting the shopping in your boot, They start washing your windscreen, and they use their top half to wipe it dry! It is impossible not to look.
When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' and instead ask you for a ride to another Supermarket. You agree and they get in the back seat. On the way, they start kissing each other and taking off each others clothes! When they’re naked, one climbs into the front seat and starts snogging you! While she’s doing that, the other one steals your wallet.
I had my wallet stolen yesterday, last Thursday, and most probably tomorrow.
Sailing out of the Roach one morning, I saw a what looked like an egg shell out at Shore Ends. It turned out to be Charlie Pitcher and I gasped to imagine that boat out in the Atlantic. You are a very brave man and an inspiration to us all. Best wishes Charlie!
Charlie: I just wanted to say that I really think you are going about this challenge in the right way, and I think you should go for the crossing speed record of 43 days set by Emmanuel Coindre.
Your boat is very fast and you are speed and efficiency minded. I am crossing the Pacific from Canada to Hawaii in July and I am also challenging that 'human powered' record (as an average daily distance covered since the routes are different). http://www.pedaltheocean.com
I'm following your reports and wishing you the best! Remember this: "
“I am building a fire, and everyday I train, I add more fuel.
At just the right moment, I light the match.” Mia Hamm
You are lighting your fire now.
Cheers,
Greg Kolodziejzyk
Excellent work Charlie I have been watching everyones progress and especially yours and Roger and Toms. Absolutely amazing feet of endurance to remain in front, keep up the good work and I wish you every success in reaching Antigua. Pete (Crew member for Rowing for Prostate - Indian 09)
Hi Charlie,
I'm actually following a friend onboard Britannia III but felt compelled to add a message to say a huge congratulations so far and good luck in conitnuing with your amazing feat. Every morning I check the site to see how Brit III are doing but I find more and more that I'm more excited to see you still leading the race - it is awe-inspiring. Good luck again for Antigua!
Hi Charlie,
When my dad heard of the design of your boat he was excitedly impressed and was convinced you would do well. He has been a sailor all his life and I know that he is following your progress. Of course being Pete's cousin, we are all avidly watching his progess but every day I am amazed that you seem to get further and further ahead. Watch out Britannia!! No jokes!!
Take care and Good Luck!!
thats one amazing roller coaster ride Charlie. Am enjoying the detailed blogs,which give so much insight as to how its like out there. I really woudn't be surprised to see you beat Britannia.
Hi Charlie
I have to say, the first thing I do now every day at work is to check if you've updated your blog as I just can't wait to see how you're doing. I'm really impressed with your progress, your mindset and boat design is clearly a great combination.
I'm a rower myself, so to me the distance you're travelling is so inspiring to me, as someone who knows how uncomfortable rowing for long periods of time can be sometimes! Anyway I just wanted to say take care and good luck for the rest of the race, i'll be keeping my fingers crossed!
Outstanding, simply outstanding mate. Well done!
Enjoy those big rollers.
Still can't believe you're leading the fleet. Breathtaking
Chris
Hi Charlie,
You are truly amazing! Huge congratulations - we're all cheering you on from the RB.
Best wishes, Penny
Charlie! look at you go, you're summin' else! If this is 70% effort then im very excited to see 100 (no pressure)!!! Britannia will be looking over their shoulders before long! Ames xx
Just read the news on the ARR09 site that Britannia lll is now heading for Barbados instead of Antigua. A detailed explanation is given as to why they have gone for that option
Nowhere Charlie,could i see any suggestion that they were trying to avoid having you welcoming them to Antigua
Prince Charles of the Ocean with a motion, howzit going? Hells Bells have you got a motor hidden under your hull cause how is that you can beat a 12 man canoe. or what is it that you smoking out there? I suppose when you good you just darn good. Keep it up buck you are another day closer to victory. have a good peaceful evening and know that all the angels in heaven are protecting all you crazy dots.....chat tomorrow Tess Mills from EL SA
Oi Charlie,
How it going mate, I am emailing from a Blackberry that I have smugaled in the flowery dell, hoping I dont get cort!!!
Me and a couple of the lads went to the gym and had a go at a 10k row, took me an hour and an half, slaughtered me, you are something else mate.
I was in the shower area today talking about you and all your sailing jargon and this bloke rekons I need to take a look at his under hun balanced rubber, hun like a donkey he was, you must be some man using that to row over the Atlantic.
Got to go mate, lights out ages ago and the blackberry is like a lighthouse in here.
Crack on, give it some wellie my son.
Darren
Hello Charlie,
Andy Wilkins sent me a note about this race. Have watched your progress these past few days and you are doing awesome. Hope the wind stays at your back and the sea stays calm...
Brian
Hi Charlie
I missed out on looking at the action for a couple of days whilst our server at work died :(
However, you have obviously carried on stonking across that big ocean at an amazing rate. Hope you are continuing to enjoy yourself and your bod is holding together!
Looking forward to your next instalment!
Keep up the amazing work!
Roz x
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