US SLAVS

I know a few politicians and people who applied to be in politics and all they scream in one voice that this video is the disgrace for the "great nation". That Poles should promote their over 1000 years tradition, monuments, Maria Curie, Copernicus, Kosciuszko etc., not a naked tits.
But over 30 milions clicks on you-tube proves, that now the other things are more valuable.
Brits book extra flights from London to Cracov not for to see the king's castle but to touch these juicy fruits.

Marina in Trzebiez/Poland ( 53°39'42.93"N - 14°30'56.22"E)
Place where everything's began, over 30 years ago.

and another place in another part of the world. Also was important for me 15 years later.

Norwegian Star rescues the Avenir sailboat in the Atlantic Ocean

"Ron Rostorfer and his crew tried desperately to mend the Avenir’s steering system after her rudder snapped off around 200 miles off Bermuda in high seas.
'We did everything we could do try and rig up the emergency steering system but then the spinnaker snapped in half and we had no way of steering the yacht at all. Initially I was very reluctant that we would all be transferred to the Norwegian Star."

Hope, that not later than for 3 years will be...

BE SAFE ON SEA - Fire on board

The simplest way to avoid the catastrophe.
One year ago I found the new product, "Elide Fire Extinguishing Ball"
As if by the way of the project of fire protection for public transportation in Poland what I made two years ago for one buses manufacturer, I concluded that it is a perfect solution for protect the engine compartments on the sailboats.
More people died on sea in cause of fire than the heaviest storms, so the fire protection on the sea is very important for me.
The Elide Fire Ball is relative cheap and very simple in use. This is styrofoam sphere with extinguishing powder inside and 1 gram of explosive factor. Very simple and effective. Installed over the engine in the motor compartment in case of fire the ball will explode and extinguish the flames.
Of course, due to the best practice on the sea, You should have also the classic hand extinguishers close to the galley, in front cabin or in cockpit. The Elide Ball is not cure for all evil, but can be usefull in the places where are hard to reach.

CHRISTMAS TERROR

Traditional Christmas in Poland is terrible. Since 50 years I'm scared when this is coming.
15 millions of Poles travel like crazy in all directions. The trains, coaches, highways are in total chaos. In offices and factories two days before are a Christmas Party, and then a half of drivers are drunk and you never know who and when will kill you.
3 millions are going to Zakopane (a small resort in the mountains) to make this place more noisy and dirty. At least 1 million will fly to Tunisia or Egypt just for drinking with other Poles in hotels and 1 million will flight back from London (where are for a job) jamming the Heathrow Airport.
Other 15 millions doing the hell in the malls and supermarkets. For Christmas must be 12 dishes (of course at least 9 will be thrown in the garbage because it is impossible to absorb these tons of food)
Rats from corporations hunting for bonuses trying sell me hundreds useless things. My mobile is ringing all the time.
Grandparents threats the immediately decease, if the obligatory visit will be ignored.
The same stories, jokes, behaviours since 50 years. And the "Home Alone" I; II; III, on all channels on TV (it's impossible to find something other).
You, Americans are lucky. You have only 1,5 Christmas Day. Poles have a full 3 days of massacre.
The cherry on the cake was when we spoke with family about our cruising plans. The best time for passing the Atlantic is November/December. My mother in law of course made the rumpus. "What about the Christmas ? On the sea ? Alone ? and you not will be with us ? This will kill me".
Polish Christmas Thriller.
Anyway, I wish you all Merry Christmas.

HOW TO NAME OUR BOAT ?

Until now our new boat has no name. We are thinking since a few days about the right name. What will be the best ? Pathetic like "Casimir the Great - the King of Poland" or "Vanguard" like a british 90 gun's battleship ? Oh. no !
Maybe funny like "Pete le Paw" or "Bugs Bunny" ? Please, no. It's no funny. It's sorrow. O.k. Maybe called as something Polish ? "City of Brzeczyszczykowice" OMG ! Nobody knows how to spell it.
So maybe some birds or animal names? These from Baltic, because we have start from the Baltic. Seagull ? There a thousands boats named "Seagull" What is interesting in seagulls ? Only shitting on deck.
I've got it ! "Foca" (the Seal) nice, smiled mamal who is living in Baltic. but...just only Focca ? Maybe "Baby Focca" or "Daddy Focca" the best will be "Mother Focca".
Somewhere inside my mind I've heard the calls on the VHF..." MOTHER FOCA ! go out from the pier NOW" ! Ha ha ha.
I give up.

Brilliant term "From Poland to Poland" it was not my personal thought

Somebody had made the voyage from Poland to Poland before. Not exactly in the same form what I want to do it, but from Poland to Poland. It was Capt. Henryk Jaskula who made the single-handed voyage non-stop and from west to east, so against to the sea currents and winds. He started in June 1997 from Gdynia/Poland and touched the ground for first time in this same pier in Gdynia/Poland in may 1980 as the third single-handed sailor in history and the first Pole.

The Republic of Poland, Polish Yachting Association and his yacht-club said him a warm "thank you" taking away him the yacht and the right for further voyages. As all in this time in Poland, the sea yachts were not in the posession of the captains, but belonged to the clubs. So the officials canceled his plans and dreams.

Capt. Jaskula with who I had a honour to meet in the Szczecin Marina a many years ago told me the sad story of the s/v Dar Przemysla.
The yachtclub gave this boat to another skipper, who had a closer contacts with the club's fat cats. Then this asshole made a simple mistake in navigation and crashed the boat on the reef a half of mile to the Cuba's coast. The damages were minor, but the crew and disastrous skipper abandoned the boat and left her on the beach without nobody who can care on her.
Next morning the Cubans tear off and stole everything from inside and a few days later chopped the hull for firewood.

So dying dreams

Exercise your eyes and find the differences between the pictures

Then you'll undestood us better.

 Ministry of Education Republic of Poland:

1 minister, 5 Deputy Ministers, 400 clerks.

Ministry of Education Kiribati Republic

1 minister and 5 cleks.

Ministry of Commerce and Industry Republic of Poland

1 minister in the rank of Vice Premier, at least 5 Deputy Ministers, 1010 clerks.

Ministry of Commerce and Industry Kiribati Republic.

1 minister, 7 clerks, 3 computers, 1 old typewriter, 2 airconditioners and one coffee maker.

Ministry of Defense of Republic of Poland

Ouuups ! No ministry of defense in Kiribati ?

No one want to invade them ?

BE SAFE ON SEA. SO, BETTER RUN AWAY THAN DIE.

A few words more as the supplement to my last long post.
I'm of course not so stupid and desperate to start the voyage on the sea - blind and smothered. I will install on the board the AIS receiver (as the simply USB dongle to my laptop with OpenCPN software). and the active radar enhancer, Sea-Me or Echomax (I'm not decided yet) but the cost of these devices will be relative low.
The AIS dongle (passive) cost 99 GBP (162 bucks) plus some pennies for antenna.
Why passive, not active ? Because better is run away than die.
I have no illusions that somebody on the bridge of the big container ship will follow up my signal on the AIS screen and turn to avoid collision with me. Better will be when I will flee in panic than disturb in their good sleeping in a chorus of murmuring of their autopilot.

BACK IN TIME

It was more than 12 years ago. My friend, the yachtsman from Kiel/Germany bought on some flea market antique, kerosene navi lamps from XIX century. Still working and in excellent condition. He got the idea how to use them in practice and made the "zero electricity" voyage. From Kiel to Karlskrona, Gottland and back to Kiel. 3 weeks on Baltic Sea in September/October on his own 39ft ketch Bettina.
To avoid the temptation all batteries were removed from the boat (except the one small for emergency call). We (four guys) were boarded without cell phones, digital players and cameras. No modern electric devices were allowed. Unfortunately we have not any picture from this voyage, because nobody had old fashioned camera for taking pictures on 35mm film.
The friendly motorboat tugged us from marina to the open sea and we were moved in time to best sea practice of ancient sailors. Paper charts, sextant, magnetic compass, stars, sun, binoculars, 24 hours watch on deck. 3 gallons of kerosene gave us energy for lighting and cooking.
Fortunatelly me and Ralph (the boat owner and skipper) are the boaters from pre-gps era and we have learned traditional navigation. We found the waypoints and the targets without any problem. So, the boating without electronics is possible.
Even, I have decided to equip my boat in modern eletronics (chartplotter, GPS, AIS receiver, etc) I'm not afraid the massive short circuit what can make these devices useless scrap.
Somewhere deep under the bunk will be a small trunk with sextant, setsquares and paper charts. For better sleeping only I hope.

HAZARD, DANGEROUS EXPLOSIVES

Home wine is bubbling. We've got from my father more than 10 kilograms of the grapes which are growing on the south wall of his house. Half of this what we had devoured at once. From the second half I make the home made wine. Gurgles like a time bomb, a little bit so much intensive. Should be a nice gallon of white, very aromatic wine. Of course if not explode untimely.

WIND VANE D.I.Y.

I'm think very serious about the wind vane on my boat. Why the wind vane, not modern autopilot helm ? Maybe I'm wrong, but these tiny linear actuators on the tiller looks me like a toys used for keep free hands for serving drinks on still waters somewhere close to Florida Keys. Not enough strong for Atlantic passage.
Second, any electrical failure on the sea doing the autopilots worthless.
I will equip my boat in the three independent battery lines, but anyway better will be have something what works without electricity.
Today I was in one D.I.Y market and I concluded, that almost everything what is necessary for build the advanced windvane I can buy there. Even the pendulum-servo gears.
I have a lot of tools and enough workshop space for trying to build the wind vane by myself. Also I have a friendly small brass, aluminium and iron sand casting foundry, who can cast for me the some more complicated parts. I must only deliver them the wooden models.
My wind vane will be for sure not so pretty like famous Aries, but will be usefull and reliable I hope.
Now is the time for collecting the plans which will be the base for my own CAD layout. (first I must master the CAD software). Outside is cold and wet, so I have not any other things to do. I'm a full of optimism. Shane Acton had on his Shrimpy the wind vane made by himself from the debries of plywood taken from the harbour and a few springs from scrapped car.

THE PLANE WAS CRASHED BEFORE START.

A few steps of my home was built the new cheap grocery supermarket "Biedronka". Something like Kroger in the USA.
As usually the "grand opening" was announced as the spectacular event. Plasmas for half of price, free gifts, snacks, baloons and hostesses in miniskirts.
I have it on front of my windows, so I have a free show.
Savages standing in the line already at 2 am. All night long in 23 F.
At 7:00 am the crowd was excited like the bride before the first night.
Then the manager sticked on the doors the information "due to administrative reason, the hour of opening will be changed".
Savages expressed their dissapointment, but still keep the guard in front of doors. Thanks god, the temperature jumped to 22 F.
At 6 pm the information on the doors was changed to: "Due to admistrative reason, today's grand opening is canceled. The shop will be closed until the further notice".
The savages said "pies ich jebie" (polish untranslatable...but very vulgar) and gone home without traditional brawl in doors.
I'm curious how will look the late opening for a few days. The baloons will hang down like a half blowed condoms.
Below is a video from the last, "successfull" opening of the similar shop in the city.

WHY I DON'T TRUST THE PROFESSIONALS ?

When I was a kid, my grandpa told me: "...If you doing something - do it right and solid. In other case - don't do it. Will be less damage"...
My grandpa was absolutely unique and not in "polish style".
The Poles can be perfect, exact and professional workers but not in Poland. Here, the "specialists" are usually bunglers and you never can be sure when the fixed a moment ago thing breaks down again.
Once I have almost lost my life on the highway when the mechanic installed the brake pads on the other side. Yes. The iron to the discs ! And where ? In authorized Volvo service.
Of course they have apologize me warm but their excuse was extremely stupid.
..."This is young guy, the new in our garage and he is inexperienced yet"... How many people must die till he's got the experience ? Where is the supervisor  who should check the car before giving back to the client ?
The similar cases are hundreds. Plumbers, carpenters, contractors, electricians, medics...
This is the reason that I prefer to do something by myself than rely on expertise of others.
I spent a lot of time and money with a mechanic for tries of fixing the failure of electronically controlled gearbox in my american car. For nothing.
Then, 30 minutes of reading the users forum in the web and 1 hour in my garage and the problem was solved with minimum cost by myself.
My friend sent me very interesting reading. "The causes of polish yachts accidents since 1980 till 2010". In 70% it was result of bad condition of the boats and primitive fixtures. Only 30% was " the human factor". And yet there are many boatyards in Poland and many talented boatbuilders.
Nevertheless I'm afraid their skills. How I can place the claim from the middle of Atlantic ?
So, now is sure why I bet on Albin Vega. Because this is old Swedish construction made in times when the plastics had not programmed degradation and hulls were built for ever, not for a few years till the moment when the trends and fashion will be changed. Also I will refresh and rebuild the boat by myself (what can take me one up to two years) for better sure that everything will be made properly.
When something will happen on the sea, I will die with strong conviction that any resentments I can have just only for myself.

PLASTIC WITH PROGRAMMABLE DESTRUCTION

My coffee maker broke down because the plastic cap with security pressure valve was made from plastic with programmable destruction.
5 years of life and then is crumbles like an old bread. The rest of the machine is absolutely ok.
One guy familar with plastic technologies told me that this kind of plastic was designed for maximum 4-5 years of using and then is degradable.
1) Due to enviromental reason (official but bullshit).
2) Due to marketing reasons (unofficial, but real).
Of course the spare part is not achievable to buy because my coffee maker have 5 years and nobody have the cheap spare parts on stock
And now I must throw out the whole, almost good coffee maker and buy some other shit for next 5 years, because I can't buy the plastic cap for 2 cents.
This is the way to build the chinese economical empire with the help of western engineering and stupid ecologists.
I hate this world.

THE LAST FROM MY ARCHIVE

OK. I decide to stop bored you. This picture is the last one from my archive.
Marina in Gizycko, Masurian Lakes, Poland, 2001.
First day of two weeks wandering on the lakes. Many boats in the fleet of group of friends.

MORE FROM MY ARCHIVE

S/V Polski Len, Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia - north of Aland Islands. 1983

The noon position. I have learned the basics of navigation.

Sorry for bad quality of the pictures, but were taken on antique camera and the film lost original colors.

FROM MY ARCHIVE
I found in the old album two pictures taken on one of my first lessons of sailing.
It was in 1975 and I was 12 y.o. on Vistula River in Poland.
Two years after this I made my first certificate of qualification in yachting.

DON'T ASK WHAT KIRIBATI CAN DO FOR YOU. ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR KIRIBATI.
As I mentioned below, our target (for now) of the sea voyage is Kiritimati (Christmas Island) in Republic of Kiribati.
Of course I could be a little embarassed to come there with empty hands. I'm not a tourist. I'm traveller. I don't want buying from them knick-knacks or worthless souvenirs.  I want give them something from me, what can be more valuable than pennies. I want to give them a significant contribution to their community. Especially because I would like spend there at least a few years.
Since the weeks I read everything what were published in the web about Kiritimati and I found that they have not enought electric power on the island.
Electricity is generated by a few diesel generators and is available by 3 to 4 hour per day. These generators works on very expensive fuel imported from Australia and produce more pollution than energy.
Some helping programs of Australian and New Zealand Governments have made the trials with a solar pannels, but without a significant results and dedicated mostly for Tarawa. Solars for Tarawa seems be not bad idea, because the island is located almost on equator where the winds are weak and from various sides.
The Christmas Island lies on 2nd degree North on the edge of the north trade wind, so the wind turbines seems be better solution for Kiribati. The north trade wind blowing with the stable force of 6 to 12 mph from east. All day and night long.
I have some contacts in the countries of European Union. I know how works european helping programs and funds. I can ask some organizations in the name of Kiribati Citizens for one or two used wind turbines from Germany or the Netherlands dedicated as free gift for Kiritimati Island. Also organize the public questing to collect some money for transport it to the island.
Then with the help local people should renovate and set these windmills. One windmill turbine can secure the full energy needs for one village, and what the most important - all time, for free and ecologicaly.
The project have also the second bottom. Now all funds from outside for improving the infrastructure are distributed by government in Tarawa and going through a few local chiefs and clerks. To the poorest villages comes the peanuts not enought for nothing serious. When I will ask the Europeans to give us the used windmills, I will say in the name only the poorest people from village Poland in southern part of Kiritimati Island.
You can ask, "what have you will back for your efforts ?"
What ? The free electricity like others.

WHY KIRITIMATI ?

This video shows this better than thousand words.

OUR VOYAGE

Now is a good time to revealing our planned route:
First part - from Szczecin - Poland by the Baltic/Nordsea Channel, Nordsea, English Channel, Normandy, Bretogne, Biscays, a small detour on the Mediterrian (Kate wana see Barcelona), back pass the Gibraltar to Canary Islands. Departure in June - Arrival to Tenerife in November.
 
2nd part:
Docking and checking the boat on Canaries, then Atlantic passage, to Antigua, BVI (or other nice island) finally through Caribbean to Panama. December - April.
 
3rd part: Cross the Panama Channel on Pacific and then directly, passing by Galapagos to Kiritimati (Christmas Island) Line Islands Archipelago, Republic of Kiribati.

HOW TO INCREASE THE SELL OF EXPENSIVE GOODS ?
In theory Poland is the free country. Maybe some people feels to be free, but not the owners of private sailboats who are determined to wear the polish flag on the masts.
Most of the regulations regarding yachting are issued by Dept. of Sea Transport of Ministry of Infrastructure of Republic of Poland. Simply - by the clerks who maybe saw the sea, but only from the beach bar. For them the 30 foot sailboat is equal to the supertanker or the battleship with the 12 inch guns.
Everyday they are coming to the office with the new ideas how to make the live of private boaters harder and how increase the pain the ass of the boat owners.
The newest stupidity is: "All the sport and recreational boats longer than 49 feet MUST HAVE the active radar on board". For shorter boats the radar is not required, but also the shorter boats have not permission for sailing more than 20 nm from the coast. If you have no active radar, this is one more reason to reject your apply for registration in Poland and right to sailing under the polish flag. "And stop screaming you f...y boaters, because we are doing it only for the safety of your fat asses ! " What is interesting, no one other neighbour country have not that oppressive regulations than are in Poland. In Sweden, Denmark, Germany, even in the Baltic Countries the rules are quite simply. If it is your boat, your life and your money - pull out the anchor and go away from the harbour !
I will buy my Albin Vega in Ronne/Bornholm/Denmark where is registered under the Danish flag and will wear this flag with pride to express my respect to the liberal law in this nice country. We are all in the European Union, so I can do it regardless to nationality of the owner.
But, go back to polish ministerial clerks and their's closed minds. They are of course so stupid for invention by themself the idea of obligatory radars on sailboats. As I mentioned above they are sitting in their warm office in Warsaw and play scrabble, but from time to time come to them a devil in the form of Marine Electronics Dealer Sales Representative and whispers to their ears: "Hi guys, Do something for increase of the sale of my incredible expensive gadgets for sailboats." Create some new appendix to the regulations. You can say that's for increasing the safety on the sea, but frankly say it is for increasing of my commision only".

A few words about the crew.
This is four-handed and four paws voyage.

1) The First Mate - My lovely wife Kate, professional musician, moderately experienced but strong crew member.

 
2) The Bunk Heater - Lucinda The Cat, just cat...

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Compromis 720. The good alternative.

At the beginning of planning of our voyage through two oceans, I had focus on Compromis 720 sailboat. Designed and produced in the mid 70's in the Netherlands and still very popular there. Experts say that this boat is very strong on the North Sea and English Channel, but...I have concluded, that she has some weak points.
1) Open cockpit without high transom. Designed for outboard motor. Can be nice for Dutch Channels or Elbe, but not on the atlantic waves.
2) Short finn keel and only 1750 lbs of ballast.
3) Lenght less than 24 ft. I had in the past time experiences even on smaller and lighter boats on the Baltic and I don't afraid to go on the high sea, but this boat will be also the habitat for two adult persons and one cat for maybe very long time. So, must be safe and moderate comfortable. (compact toilet under v-berth! Oughrrrr. Possible flying blue ink bomb in the cabin) ;)
4) Outboard motor (good for making noise in marinas but not for sailing on the waves). It is possible to install the inboard engine, but the only one model can fit under the cockpit - Volvo Penta md6 and it is only with Z-gear. The Penta is not a bad choise. The blind blacksmith with the hammer can repair Penta in 30 minutes, but the md6 models in good condition are very hard to buy. I would like avoid troubles with the engine on my way through the ocean.

Of course, the Compromis 720 have also the strong sides.
1) PRICE ! The average price of one in good condition is less than EUR 4500 (a little bit more than 6000 bucks).
2) Two pilot berths on both sides. I like sleep in pilot berths close to the cockpit. Is quiet and cosily and easy to jump on deck if it is necessary. And what is the most important - nobody can't accidentally sit down on you when you sleep on the couch in cabin.
3) nice chart table located in the middle of cabin. Away of companionway where the malicious splash can destroy you e-navigation devices.
Despite of these advantages, at this moment Compromis 720 was sent to reserve bench.

Danish Beauty. She waiting for me in Ronne harbour Bornholm. I hope that no other did not seduce her before spring when I can buy her.
A few words about this boat. This is 27 foot long fiberglass/polyester sloop Albin Vega. Made in the mid 1970's in Sweden. One of 3 thousand similar were made.

• Designer: Per Brohäll (1964)
• LOA: 27 feet 1 inch
• LWL: 23 feet 0 inches
• Beam: 8 feet 0 inches
• Draft: 3 feet 10 inches
• Displacement: 5,070 pounds
• Sail area: 341 square feet
• Ballast: 2,017 pounds
• Spars: Aluminum
• Auxiliary: Conventional gasoline or diesel with variable-pitch propeller.
• Designed as: Fast, light, ocean cruiser with berths for four adults.

Per Brohall, the Swedish designer of the very successful Viggen, received a commission in 1964 from Lars Larsson, owner of Larrson Trade AB (in 1971 renamed Albin Marin AB), to design an enlarged version of the Viggen. This would hopefully increase the sale of Albin engines. This design was intended to replace the wooden prototype of the Vega that had been launched on 29 July 1965 which, after extensive and severe sea-trials went into production. The results were so favourable that the production forms for the reinforced fibreglass hull could be taken directly from the V-1 prototype wooden hull.
(thanks - http://www.albinvega.co.uk)