Life on board a Clipper 70

I have just returned from my L3 training, the first time on the 70 ft Clipper yacht, one of the boats I will be going around the world on.  Slightly different to the Clipper 68 in that below decks is set out differently and on deck is less cluttered, mainly because the 70 doesn't have the spinnaker pole as we will be using an asymmetric.  I thought I'd give people an idea of what it is like on the boat, so here goes:                                                               

Accommodation

Accommodation is just as basic as on the 68 though my bunk was a bit like a cave - very dark and not very high.  The only way I could get into bed was to wriggle into my sleeping bag while standing on the floor, then sit on the side of the bunk all scrunched up before lying down and lifting my feet onto the bunk.  Someone said it was the funniest thing they'd seen for a long time.  Once in it was cosy and I felt safe, and I imagine that in an ocean swell with huge waves there is not much space to be thrown around.  I didn't have any lockers so had to leave my stuff on the other side of the gangway under the bunks there.  Not sure it will be my favourite spot while we are racing but I believe that bunks are going to be allocated by drawing lots out of a hat so I might not have much choice.  I think we'll be 'hot bunking' anyway so I may well sleep somewhere different each time I put my head down.

The 'Heads'

The 'heads' (toilet) are even more basic with a hand held shower and bowl with no lid.  I can imagine having a shower will be something that is not done very often as water will be salty and it will take ages to clean up afterwards.  Everyone has to sit, including the boys, and they have to be left as found.  It is quite an achievement to be able to balance as the boat heels over at 30 degrees, and if those on deck suddenly decide to tack it can be quite a challenge to stay sitting as the boat is 'flung' the other way.  There are two of these delightful 'rooms', divided off from the rest of the boat by a flimsy zipped canvas door.

The Galley

The galley is positioned in the centre of the boat at the bottom of the companionway up onto deck.  A reasonably equipped and compact space with everything tidied away in cupboards with no doors.  A decent hob with five gas rings and a small oven and grill so, as long as the seas aren't too rough, some decent meals can be served up.  We will each take it in turns to be on 'mother watch' for a day during which time we are responsible for all meals and cleaning.  Mother watch lasts for 24 hours so also gives crew a chance to have a longer sleep, do washing, have a shower and generally chill out.  I can't say I am particularly looking forward to having to spend my time below decks but hopefully seasickness will become a thing of the past as my brain gets used to seeing and feeling contradictory experiences.

Inside the sail locker looking down through the hatch from the deck



Unlike on the Clipper 68 where we slept in the sail locker the 70 has a separate sail locker in the bows.  It means that we won't be soaked every time the hatch is opened to either take up or bring down a sail.  There are bunks in this very basic space and I expect that if the boat has a full complement of 22 crew on board then people may have to sleep there.  Not sure.  This picture is of Mel (another Team Jim crew member) and I after we had repacked the locker after the final day deep clean.  It doesn't always look this tidy!

Floor boards removed and bilges cleaned
and wiped down

 At the end of the training week, and every time we finish a race, we have to do a 'deep clean'.  This involves taking everything out of the boat, including all our personal belongings, and wiping everything down with anti-bac (anti-bacterial spray) including cushions, mattresses, all lockers and bilges.  Floor boards are taken up and washed down on the pontoon, foul weather gear and all the lines and sheets (ropes) are hosed down with fresh water.  Once everything has been put back the decks are washed down and tidied up.

Washing under the 'cuddy'

This is also a time for maintenance including servicing the winches and repairing lines.  Time in port at the end of each race will include all this maintenance and it is not until that has been completed that we will be able to have some time off.




Will I remember which bit goes where?

Sophie has become a good pal since we met on Level 1 just after Easter.  She is also RTW (round the worlder) but on Qingdao, the boat sponsored by the city that held the sailing events in the Beijing Olympics.  The plan at the moment is to get together on our stopovers - it will be good to see a different face and to be able to download after an intense few weeks at sea.



Sophie splicing a sheet that had become frayed and
in danger of falling apart.

Living is going to be interesting.  It's OK for a
few days when it's possible to go ashore for a shower but for 5 weeks without a break - a totally different 'kettle of fish'.  I can imagine resentments growing if someone is perceived not to be pulling their weight, or, for example, if they have taken one too many biscuits.  I am hoping that this is where my skills as a listener will come in, and that I am able to give people the space to be heard in a non-judgemental and empathic way.

The next time on a boat will be in early July when I will be training with my Skipper, Jim, and with others from my boat.  I am looking forward to it.

Looking west as we sailed down the Solent and back to Gosport