September 8. Finally the day for our traditionally “Fall sailing” with S/Y Geist / Skipper Christian, and S/Y Franziska / skipper Stefan. This week is the last last sailing days for the season. We used to go along the coastline of the west coast up to North Koster island and back. I got my friend Bert Wate from Sarasota,Fl onboard for a couple of days. This is the second time Bert is with us during our annual “fall sailing week” . He like it so much last year so he called and asked come along. We sailed a fairly long leg the first day. Stenungsund – Smögen where Franziska and Geist were waiting on us. Bert had brought a huge “Fish Gratin” of Cod so we all four had dinner onboard Crusader.
All skippers enjoy the sunset in Smögen.
the old Fishing boat “Asta” with an old heavy 1 cylinder hot bulb diesel engine.
Dockside of Smögen fisherman village
Sunset i the port of Smögen
September 9. Woke up at 07:30 and went for the daily shower. Bert made breakfast while I was showering. About 11 o’clock we all left Smögen and todays “port of call” will be Strömsund/ Weather Islands, my favorite place. After have past Soten Canal I set my genacker which now is mounted on a” Selden top-down furler”. This set up made it much easier for me to handle the genacker than my previous solution with a sock. Now I control everything from cockpit and don’t have to be on fore deck. The wind was picking up so much (10-12m/s) from SW so we have to take down the genacker and roll out the Genoa. Strömsund is well covered place to be when the wind picking up. After dinner we all climb up on top and watch the sunset. Still haven’t seen the famous “Green flash” what people says appear when the sun is just to disappear in the horizon. We shared a bottle of “Pinot Noir” with cheese and crackers while watching the beautiful sunset. Weather islands are Sweden next westerly group of Islands. Only Koster Islands are more westerly.
September 10. Gale warning today so we decided to leave Weather Islands before the gale brake out and sail to Hamburgsund which is a safe haven for storms and gales. we had wind of 7-10 m/s so made good speed and for a change we do not have to use the engine,,,yippee !!! After have moored in Hambursund we run into a fellow who sailed an OE32 (S/Y Boheme) a very seaworthy double ender, designed by Olle Enderlain. Later a Norwegian couple came and moored in front of us with a huge “Oyster 55”,,,they lived aboard all year around.
T/S Westcoast
Stefan Brunzell and Bert Wate take some refreshments in cockpit of Crusader after have moored in Hamburgsund.
S/Y Geist with Christian Engerberg arrive Hamburgsund
Christian relaxing with a beer after a hard days work
Nice picture of the church at Hamburg island
Stefan Brunzell on S/Y Franziska.
September 11. Motoring again (head wind from south 12-15 m/s). Todays leg was to make it down to Hunnebostrand where Bert Wate is going leave us next morning and take a Bus and later a train back to Varberg, where he has his summer home. I had some trouble with my engine,,,after the bumpy passage of “Bina” north Bovallstrand the engine will not reach max rpm of 2200rpm only 1600rpm. I suspect the prefilter Racor (10micron). The first thing was to replace that filter after we moored at Hunnebostrand. Couldn’t see anything weird like dirt or water, but I replaced it anyway. Obviously was it the filter, due to next day the engine act normal again. That night we had a farewell dinner for Bert. The weather was still clear sky and warm, westerly wind from west (10 m/s) .
S/Y Geist have Bumpy ride at “Bina” passage
Skipper Harlin at the helm.
Rough sea at” Bina”
“Bina”
Relaxing in the cockpit at Hunnebostrand
Franziska,Geist and at the very end Crusader at the pontoon in Hunnebostrand
Hunnebostrand.
S/Y Franziska, (Vindö 50) at Hunnebostrand
September 12. After we have made sure that Bert have catch the right Bus we sailed southbound. Next stop was a SXK-Bouy south of Hermanö. Of course ! head wind again,,!!!!,, so the Volvo Penta engine has to be engaged again. Christian was planning to go home next day so he started to gathered things together and take down the sails,,,, end of sailing. Stefan and I were more interesting in to continue and sail over to Skagen, Denmark.
September13. Breakfast as usual around 07:30. Weather was nice with a breeze from south around 6-7m/s. After have said goodby to Christian on Geist, Franziska and Crusader begin their voyage to Skagen, about 35-40 Nm miles. Half way out the wind died out and Volvo Penta was turned on again. Neither me or Stefan have nervs when the speed slows down under 5 knots. We left around 9 am and arrived Skagen 4,30pm. We both took a” power-nap” before showering. The harbor fee was 200 Dkk. We went out to eat this time. We went to one of those Fish restaurant they have nearby in the Harbor. We both ordered the famous Danish “SterneSkud” (a toast with,fried and boiled Plaice-file,+shrimps and skagen salad. “Yummy”!! with that goes of course a Cold Danish Beer! During the trip we have to cross the busy North & Southbound lane of Cargo vessels,,(kind of English Channel situation). We were sailing windward at the time and made 5-6 knots. I checked my AIS and sew it will be tight (CPA) with a southbound “Cargo vessel ” Paquis from Panama. I called him up on Channel 16 and he respond quickly. Switch to turned channel 06. I asked him if he consider Crusader and Franziska fine to keep our course? He said he will check his AIS and return. After a minutes he came back and reported he will turn Port and pass behind us. I thanx him a lot and wish him a safe voyage. AIS is not bad at all,,,uncertain/tight situations can easily been straighten out. Safety comes first!! By the way Paquis was about 200×50 meter, Huge Cargo ship.
Cargo vessel “Paquis” who turned port and passed behind us
Crusader & Franziska on their way to Skagen
T/S ATHENE of Skärhamn, Sweden
Next stop Skagen
September 14. Today we decided to stay in Skagen and go for sightseeing . We borrowed bicycles from our Danish neighbor and went to most Northern tip of Denmark “The reef”. about 2 km from us. This unique reef got a lot of tourists every year. Also, it was here the artist ” P.SKroyer” painted his famous pictures. On our way back we made some shopping and turned back the bikes. Dinner was served on Franziska that night. At this time of the season there is plenty of room in the harbor to moor. In the summer (July) it is packed.
Skagen Harbor with the row Fish restaurants in the background
Nice view of the Fish restaurants, Skagen Harbor
A Norwegian fishing boat came in early morning
September 15. Last day of sailing/motoring. Another calm and warm sunny day. Due to NO wind at all today we were needed to fill up Diesel in order to make it back to Sweden and our home harbors. (Crusader/Stenungsund) and ( Franziska to Öckerö/Gothenburg). We came out from Skagen around 10 am. Skagerack was flat like a mirror. Very rare to see Skagerack with no waves. It was a warm day 24-26 C on Skagerack!! I were able to spot 3 groups of “Tumlare” a species pertaining to the Dolfin Family. The crossing were very calm and pleasant all day so there was no problem to be in the galley and cooking lunch. My best friend “Mr autopilot” did a good job all day long. I was home at 4,30pm after a detour through Marstrand island. This was it,,of 2016 sailing. Next couple of weeks I will be busy to strip Crusader and winterize her. OK all,,,see you next year 2017.
Skipper Stefan Brunzell.
On our way to Skagen reef
The tip of Jutland, DK. The reef
Stefan Brunzell
The reef which divide Skagerack and Kattegat
Skagen lighthouse
Sailor Harlin at the Reef
Tourists at the reef. No swimming “strong current” exists,,,
Poet, Drachmann
This winters updates on Crusader will be a total overhaul of the engine and sail drive + change the rubber membrane, further I will spruce up the ceiling panels in the saloon with new vinyl. Another thing will be to replace the VHF cable/wire in the mast.
Marstrand Fortress, Sweden
Hätteberget Lighthouse in sight, Marstrand
Fair Winds,,,,have a great winter!!!
