Indian Ocean: Durban. South Africa

11/22/07
I am being treated like a celebrity here in Durban. The ROYAL Natal Yacht Club has given me the best spot on their docks, font row center, and last night I gave my presentation in their Media Tent.

The Media Tent only had about 60 seats but over 100 people showed up for Standing Room Only at the back of the tent. There was a tremendous response and the evening went for 2 hours with questions and my answers. More than 2 dozen people came aboard my boat today, some interested in buying a new model, maybe even a Hunter now that they see how well they sail in Blue Water.

At the same time last evening, the mayor was giving his welcome speech to the Clipper-Round-the-World fleet in another Yacht Club, so the Clipper organizers have asked that I give another Encore presentation for their participants tonight. Of course I will.

The weather is atrocious at the moment with lightning and strong rains with SW winds over 30 knots. That is the direction I need to sail to get around the "Cape odf Good Hope" with Port Elizabeth my next stop at 300 miles.

I hope the weather changes by Saturday, then I'm off towards Cape Town.

11/23/07
Currently the most famous sailor is Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. He was the very first single-handed non-stop circumnavigator. This year, at age 68, he competed in the Single-Hand Around the World Race Vendee-Globe and placed in a respectable position.

Sir Robin heard about my venture and asked to come aboard WanderLust for a Look-See as he called it. Sir Robin's comment was, "Now this is the way to sail around the world".
Photo: Amateur-Novice Mike with Famous Sailor Sir Robin


11/27/07
The Famous East London Yacht Club shack in the lower left. I am rafted to 3 other sailboats heading around to Cape Town next week.

I am leaving today.

Mike Harker

Indian Ocean: Safe Arrival in Durban, S.A.

ALL,

I finally made it into Durban South Africa by way of Richard's Bay. The wind and waves were very strong from the direction I was heading so I had to pull into Richard's Bay early. It is 8o miles north of Durban.

After waiting 2 days for the weather to change for the better, I sailed the 8o miles in 8 hours, sailing at 8.5 knots with a 3,5 knot positive current, I was 12 -12.5 knots over-the-ground for 8 hours.

The famous "Clipper Race" boats are here this week. I will show my slide presentation tomorrow night.. I will report on how that went in 2 days.

Mike Harker
s/v Wanderlust 3

Indian Ocean: Safe Arrival in Richards Bay, S.A.

16 November 2007
7:11AM EST

TheSailingChannel has just leaned that Mike Harker made safe land fall in Richards Bay about 80 NM north of Durban. Here is the message from Dave in Durban:

I have just received a Sat Phone call from him. He is safe in Richards Bay, 80nm North of Durban. He has been battling against strong SW and ran very low on fuel, hence going into Richards Bay. He intends departing on Sunday, for Durban.

Regards
Dave

Indian Ocean: Port Louis to Durban, S.A.

November 8, 2007

As of 5 pm today, my second full day at sea (48 hours), I am 380 miles SW of Port Louis.

I am able to average 6.5 knots with light winds. I motor-sail when the speed gets under 4.5 knots. The grib file shows 10-14 knots of wind from the north for the next 2 days, good for my direction.

I am 380 miles from my waypoint at the SW corner of Madagascar - halfway - which is 150 M off the S coast. That position is 27* 00' S X 47* 00' E.

My position is 23* 29' X 53* 00'.

The weather looks good on the grib until then.

********

November 10, 2007

I have made the turn from SW to W under Madagascar and am now headed directly for Durban.
It is less than 900 miles, so in less than a week I will be in, if the weather holds.

The winds are strong (20 - 25 knots N) and I am reefed down to third reef in the main, 3/4 staysail and 1/4 genoa for balance.

I am sailing at 7.5 knots. The seas are 8-12 feet and rising from the North.

I expect the weather to be similar but I'm not sure after 2 more days. It may change for the worse, but I have to take what comes.

I have been asked, and accepted, Dave Claxton's request to do my 1 hour photo presentation at their famous Yacht Club. He heard about the success of the Sydney Boat Show presentations from other South Africans in Sydney and asked me. I will do the presentation in 1 week from tonight, just after I arrive in Durban.

********

November 13, 2007

I will arrive in Durban South Africa in 3 days.

Sunday evening the 'Royal Natal Yacht Club' has invited me to give my photo presentation. This is "Clipper Week" in Natal, the harbor of Durban, and will be crowed with sailors from all over.

My original schedule had me leaving Cape Town early December. I will be able to make that departure.

I will then be in the Atlantic Ocean with St. Helena and the Caribbean between me and Miami.

I will sail the South Atlantic alone. It is 6500 miles and I average 1000 miles or more a week. With 8 weeks, that gives me reserves.

I would like to have someone sail with me from Puerto Rico to Miami along the north side of Cuba along the 'Old Bahama Channel'. That leg has a lot of traffic and complicated routes. I won't be able to sleep if I am alone and as such could be dangerous.

Mike Harker
s/v Wanderlust 3

Indian Ocean: Arrival in Port Louis, Mauritius

11/03/07
Port Louis, Mauritius


I arrived in Port Louis this morning after crossing the Indian Ocean in less than 2 weeks from Cocos.

However, there is a storm brewing south of Madagascar with 50 -60 knots winds.

I was going to stay here only 2 nights just to catch up on some needed rest. but now I am going to wait for the storm to pass south of me and Madagascar before heading for Durban South, Africa.

That may be 4 or 5 more days but I think it is worth the time in order not to risk anything. I like my boat and what I'm doing, so I don't want to ruin it by rushing into a storm.

Mike Harer
s/v Wanderlust 3