Blog & News

Blog & News

A world tour for 3 (with a dog) aboard SV Sweet Ruca – EN & FR

November 26th, 2020 news Sailing Adventures
J/46 - SV Sweet Ruca

A world tour in suspense in the Caribbean…

« Our goal was to spend two years making a somewhat fast, but still cruising, circumnavigation of the world via Cape Horn and the Cape of a Good Hope. Rather than go through the canals as most do, we were looking to complete a bucket list sailing challenge along with meeting new people and experiencing other cultures. 

We shook down the boat in Maine of the USA and then made our way to the Caribbean for the boats true offshore test. We had planned to start working to the South Atlantic in April of last year, but as with everyone else, our plans were altered by Covid-19. 

We have been “stuck” in the Caribbean since the outbreak, but we are not complaining. We are very thankful to be in the position we are in. We won’t make our original timeline and weather windows, but that is OK. It has also given us more time to delve deeper into the Caribbean culture. The J is the perfect island hopping boat, plus it is warm and sunny! Maybe, if we are lucky, some racing will begin this season in the islands and we can participate with SV Sweet Ruca, or as crew aboard another J Boat. 

We hope to continue our circumnavigation safely and responsibly as the pandemic allows. Likely next will be transatlantic to the Azores and follow a route south from there in the summer/fall. »

 

© SV Sweet Ruca

 

A quick acclimatization to life on board…

« Life on the boat is wonderful! We have all the comforts of home on board our boat, but there are some challenges.  

We say that the highs are higher, but the lows are lower. Falling asleep to ocean breezes and waking up to look out the window at blue water, beaches, and nature’s finest works is worth the hard work. It is easy to forget nasty weather when having a fresh seafood dinner and drinks with new friends while taking in a beautiful sunset over the water. 

However, what would be a small setback at home on land, takes much more effort to resolve on the boat. For example, when you wake up and realize you are out of coffee, it may require a long wet dinghy ride then a walk to the store rather than getting into your car and driving to a coffee shop! 

The same goes for most any item you may want or need. Long gone are the easy days where almost everything is easily accessible or a click away, but that is part of the joy and romance of this simpler and slower lifestyle. 

There is also the constant challenge of weather and maintenance to deal with. We must always be vigilant of the forecast and plan ahead accordingly. We also are constantly working to ensure the boat is in top condition and is always offshore ready. 

Overall, we wouldn’t choose things any other way! »

 

 

A J entirely designed for its owners…

« When most people we meet think of a J Boat, they think of a racing boat, not a cruiser. They are astonished to find a beautiful and bright cherry wood interior which rivals the finish and comfort of the most well fitted cruisers. 

Our boat is outfitted with all the cruising comforts. As we both have racing backgrounds, we have also tried to keep things light and fast. J Boats, and our boat in particular, are designed for us. Well set up for double-handed performance sailing, but without sacrificing live-ability and sea kindliness. 

The carbon rig, smooth all purpose hull design, quality construction, and well shaped foils keep the boat in balance and moving quickly. In full cruising mode we can sail 200 mile days, important to us to manage weather routing. It is also very enjoyable to pass all but dedicated racing boats, even most catamarans, on the water. 

In port, her size and draft allows for easy access to most all marinas and anchorages. Like other J Boats, our J/46 SV Sweet Ruca, is an elegant and timeless beauty. She stands out and usually draws compliments from those passionate about performance sailing. She is great for starting conversations and the large cockpit is excellent for entertaining. 

As sailors first, tourists second, we enjoy the journey just as much as the destination. We think the Johnstone’s nailed it, and our J Boat simply checks all of the boxes for us! »

 

 

Kate, Curtis and Roxy the dog, owners of the J/46 SV Sweet Ruca

To follow SV Sweet Ruca’s world tour, discover their networks:

 

 

Un tour du monde à 3 (avec un chien) à bord de SV Sweet Ruca

 

Un tour du monde en suspens aux Caraïbes… 

« Notre objectif était de passer deux ans à faire un tour du monde un peu rapide, mais toujours en croisière, via le cap Horn et le cap de Bonne-Espérance. Plutôt que de traverser les canaux comme la plupart le font, nous cherchions à réaliser la liste des choses que l’on souhaite faire à la voile, tout en rencontrant de nouvelles personnes et en découvrant d’autres cultures.

Nous nous sommes familiarisés avec le bateau dans le Maine aux États-Unis, puis nous nous sommes dirigés vers les Caraïbes pour le véritable test au large. Nous avions prévu de commencer notre navigation en Atlantique Sud en avril, mais comme pour tout le monde, nos plans ont été modifiés par la Covid-19.

Depuis l’épidémie, nous sommes « coincés » dans les Caraïbes, mais nous ne nous plaignons pas. Nous sommes très reconnaissants d’être dans la position dans laquelle nous nous trouvons. Nous ne suivons plus notre planning initial, mais ce n’est pas un problème. Cette situation nous aura donné plus de temps pour approfondir la culture caribéenne.

Le J est le bateau idéal pour voyager d’île en île, surtout quand le temps est chaud et ensoleillé ! Si nous avons de la chance, des courses commenceront probablement cette saison dans les îles et nous pourrons y participer avec SV Sweet Ruca, ou en équipage à bord d’un autre J.

Nous espérons vivement pouvoir continuer notre tour du monde en toute sécurité et de manière responsable lorsque la pandémie le permettra. Notre prochaine étape sera probablement notre transatlantique vers les Açores, puis nous suivrons notre route vers le sud en été ou automne prochain. »

 

© SV Sweet Ruca

 

Une rapide acclimatation à la vie à bord…

« La vie sur le bateau est magnifique ! Nous avons tout le confort de la maison à bord de notre bateau, même s’il y a quelques défis à relever. 

S’endormir sous la brise de l’océan et se réveiller pour regarder par la fenêtre l’eau bleu turquoise, les plages et les plus belles œuvres de la nature vaut le travail acharné. Il est aussi facile d’oublier le mauvais temps lors d’un dîner de fruits de mer frais et d’un verre avec de nouveaux amis tout en admirant un magnifique coucher de soleil sur l’eau.

Cependant, ce qui serait un petit obstacle sur terre, à la maison, demande beaucoup plus d’efforts pour y remédier sur le bateau. Par exemple, lorsque vous vous réveillez et réalisez que vous n’avez plus de café, cela peut nécessiter un long trajet humide en zodiac puis une promenade au magasin, plutôt que de monter dans votre voiture et de vous rendre dans un café !

Il en va de même pour la plupart des produits que vous souhaitez ou dont vous avez besoin. Les jours faciles où tout est facilement accessible ou en un clic sont révolus depuis longtemps, mais cela fait partie de la joie et de la romance de ce style de vie plus simple et plus lent.

Il y a aussi le défi constant de la météo et de l’entretien à gérer. Nous devons toujours être vigilants face aux prévisions et planifier en conséquence. Nous travaillons également constamment pour nous assurer que le bateau soit en parfait état et toujours prêt au large.

Dans l’ensemble, nous ne choisirions pas les choses autrement ! »

 

Un J entièrement conçu pour ses propriétaires…

« Lorsque la plupart des gens que nous rencontrons pensent à un J, ils se représentent un bateau de course, pas à un croiseur. Ils sont étonnés de trouver un intérieur en bois de cerisier magnifique et lumineux qui rivalise avec la finition et le confort des croiseurs les mieux équipés.

Notre bateau est équipé de tout le confort de croisière. Comme nous avons tous deux des antécédents en course, nous avons également essayé de conserver les équipements légers et rapides. Les J, et notre bateau en particulier, sont conçus pour nous. Bien configuré pour la voile de performance en double, mais sans sacrifier le confort de vie à bord et l’agréabilité en mer.

Le gréement en carbone, la conception de la coque lisse tout usage, la construction de qualité et les foils bien formés maintiennent le bateau en équilibre et se déplace rapidement. En mode croisière complet, nous pouvons naviguer 200 milles par jour, ce qui est important pour nous pour gérer les itinéraires météorologiques. Il est également très agréable de croiser les autres bateaux, en particulier les bateaux de course et même les catamarans, sur l’eau.

Au port, sa taille et son tirant d’eau permettent un accès facile à la plupart des marinas et mouillages. Comme les autres J, notre J/46 SV Sweet Ruca, est d’une beauté élégante et intemporelle. Elle se démarque et attire généralement les compliments des passionnés de voile de performance. Elle est idéale pour entamer des conversations et le grand cockpit est excellent pour se divertir.

En tant que marins d’abord, touristes ensuite, nous apprécions autant le voyage que la destination. Nous pensons que le constructeur a réussi, et notre J coche simplement toutes les cases pour nous ! »

 

Kate, Curtis et Roxy le chien, propriétaires du J/46 SV Sweet Ruca

Pour suivre le tour du monde de SV Sweet Ruca, découvrez leurs réseaux :

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