May / June 2017: Wild Too crossing the med / Malta / Mallorca / Ibiza:
April 2017: Wild Too sets sail - Croatia to Malta:
March 2017 Wild Too:
April 2016: Bermudas:
Beginning of April we started our Atlantic Crossing from Bahamas to Bermudas and arrived safely after only 7 days. The passage was interesting from a sailing perspective since we had almost every possible wind.
Bermudas George Town is Unesco protected and from afar you see that all roofs are white. Every house has its own water collection system on the roofs.
We discovered the islands many fortresses and a old bunker system we sneaked into.
Diving is were interesting – we found a cave - system called cathedral and dove some of the 400 wrecks – many of them with mooring buoys for diving.
If it were not our time schedule we have to stick to we would have loved to stay longer.
Tomorrow we leave to the Acores Islands. We will arrive in Flores at latest on the 1st of May.
A low pressure system right above the Bermudas moving east will push us right to our next destination – only 1600nm to go.
I can not wait to reach Flores with its over 100m high waterfalls in middle of volcanic hills full of flowers , the picturesque houses and the friendly people.
March 2016: Bahamas:
Jan, February 2016: Caribean, Antilles:
November 2015:
Whales, Elephants and Monsterfish
For 3 weeks we are in south Africa now and enjoy the crazy adventures with the stunning Wild Live of this country. Close to Richardsbay is one of he better game parks in South Africa and we saw Elephants, Giraffes, Hypos, Rhinos and other wild live.
The passage around the cape is challenging as expected but no problem when one takes his time and waits for the proper wind conditions. On the first leg from Durban to Port Elizabeth we cought 3 monster fish – all of them more than 100kg. Unfortunately we could not bring them on the boat. There was 30kn of wind and 5m waves...
First was a yellowfintuna – 2meters long – we lost it before we could gaff him.
Then a marlin – also more than 2m – we got him to the boat and a wave pushed him on the stairs. He pierced a whole through the step!!! We had water coming in but good that this area is a sealed crash box....
And the 3rd fish we did not even see – it must have been 3 m or bigger – we fought 1,5h but gave up at the end.
While we were fishing a smaller cat capsized only 10 miles from us. The crew could be rescued the next day in their life raft. He must have not reefed in time because the waves were not that bad. Once again I felt happy to own Wild One – due to her size and design we never felt a critical situation once.
Our stopovers in Port Elizabeth, St. Francis and Mosselbay, were we waited for the dangerous south westerly winds to pass were very relaxing. While sailing we constantly saw whales – it must have been more than 20 sightings of humpback whales so far. Right off Port St Francis a whale kept breaching (jumping out of the water) only 50 meters from the boat – we could make the most incredible photos. Other whales kept banging their 3meter long fins in the water. Once at night the whole crew woke up and we thought there is a problem with the rigging because of the strange and monotonous noises. A view minutes later we saw the real reason – a giant whale breathed right behind the boat. It must have accompanied us close by for a long time.
Only a view days and we reach Capetown. Our trip continues 27th of November to Brazil.
April, May 2015 - Cairns to Darwin:
March, April 2015 / Coomera to Cairns
October, November, December 2014 / Australia - Whitsundays to Brisbane
October, November, December 2014 / Australia - Whitsundays to Brisbane
September 2014 / Solomon Islands
Highlights on the Solomons were very nice dives and hikes, beautiful anchorages (sometimes with crocodiles only a few meters away..) and mostly nice people (with occasional exeptions - money is of central importance to many Solomon people other than in PNG) Finally we found a cool kitesurfing island with the little flaw that no women were alloud on the beach. We were happy not to have had any problems with malaria or crocodiles on our PNG and Solomon adventure.
August 2014, PNG
After 2 month refitting the boat in Davao and a nice holiday at home we had a adventarous time in PNG. I never travelled a country so different to the rest of the world. Very poor but very rich as well. People were incredibly friendly - giving gifts without expectations was custom at every anchorage we have been. On bord were all timers like Torsten and Martin & Birgit as well as new crewmembers who soon became friends. Diving in PNG is ranked on my personal top3 of all my dives around the world.
Our time at the Philippines comes to an end. We discovered 100reds of beautiful islands - people farming seaweed or living of the nature but always having a friendly smile for you. Very few places are spoiled by tourism - like Borocay - but they are the exeption. What all have in comon are a truckload of excited kids greating you on the beach when you land with the dingi.
Obviously the big fish have all been eaten by the Filippinos but still a lot of beaty underwater is remaining from wrecks to caves and spectacular drop offs. I could practice kitesurfing since we had a lot of wind most of the times and my family and Stephie came visiting as well as Johan my french friend who helped initiating the Wild One Project.
Know it is time to start the refit and maintenance of Wild One and prepare her for her trip to Australia in August 2014.
Xmas we arrived at the philippines only 70 miles north ofwere the disatrous cyclon Hayan damaged a lot. Fortunately we did not see anytraces or damages on our way to Puerto Galleras. The cyclon seem to havedistoyed only a relatively small area and 100km from the centre it was merely astrong wind. In Puerto Galleras we spent new years. Actually most of us fellinto bed at around 10pm after an nice dinner in a resort since we sailedthrough the night before.
On the way we explored little fishing villages andexperianced lots of friendly people giving us fish (a large Mahi Mahi) as a gift and lots of curious childrenaccompaning us on our stroll through the village.
Underwater we find creatures and plants I have not seenbefore in my travels around the world also there are not too many big fishesaround. Actually every dive offers a little surprise after adjusting tomacroview.
I am looking forward at my tour around the philippines – acountry the size of new zealand.
The last month we visited Pohnpei and Chuuk. Both islands are famous for their diving. In Pohnpei we dove with Manta rays while in Chuuk we could explore two japanese airplane wrecks from WW2.
Now we are on our way to Palau – passing by the outer FSM islands we hopefully can visit as well.
Long time since I foundinternet to write some lines. We are all well sailing in best weather off thecyclone belt. Though we have heard of the destructive cyclone passing to thePhillipines. Nevertheless we will stick to our plan since we planed to be atthe Phillipines in the cyclone free season. In the meantime we have arrived in themiddle of micronesia in Pohnpei. We collected unforgetable impressions ofuntouched culture in Abajang in the Kiribati Island group and found veryfriendly people in Tarawa helping us to fix our damaged headstay. We discoveredthe headstay almost broken beeing held only on four strands. Fortunately a sparestay was on bord and thanks to my Sail maker One Sails and Hagen a crewmemberarriving just in time the required spare terminal could be brought in and thedamage could be repaired without loss of time.
We found wonderful diving atEbon Island (South Marshall Islands) with huge swarms of Jackfish and manysharks cruising around.
Kosrae was also nice withfisherman passing by and bringing us yellowfintuna not accepting any payment. Oneof the best mooringsystem for divesites I have ever seen on this island. Thedinghy rides through the mangrove channels are also worth mentioning. Beatifulcoral but little big fish we have seen there. Although the authorities arereally nice and helpful the paperwork regarding entry and exit (entry permit inadvance, check in and out for each island and each anchorage with allauthorities – up to 7) and interisland traffic are enourmous, timeconsuming andvery expansive.
Maybe one reason why we arethe only boat on most anchorages. On the other hand I guess that is one part ofan adventure like this.
One month at the sothern cook islands passed in no time. We navigated in a little circle from Rarotonga to Aitutaki, Hervey Island and then Atiu and had a bit more wind and waves than expected. Good for kitesurfing though....
I will not forget the whales who came by one night at the anchorage and stayed with us a few minutes very close to the boat as well as the turtles who were always around in Aitutaki. Another highlight were dolphins overtaking us when snorkeling at the outerreef in Hervey Island.
Cook Islanders are super nice people who love their holy sunday.
June 2013 - Society Islands
We have checked out today and leave the society islands. Next destination cook islands.
Although the society islands were a bit more touristy I would not want to miss that experiance. We swam! with whales, mata rays, more than 40 eagle rays and dove with fat lemon sharks. Not forget to mention super kitesurfing and hiking on the picturesque mountaintops.
Mai 2013 - Tuamotus
Beside that the Tuamotus were a bit tricky regarding provisioning but all turned out to be fine. No eggs though for quite a while...
April 2013 - Marquesas
A wonderful month with my parents, my girlfriend, Aaron from US and Thomas and Petra from Switzerland in the Marquesas went by very fast.
We will not forget the wonderful hikes along sheer rockridges, the diving with mantas and the good food enriched by self picked exotic fruits (we made a guave, starfruit and stoneapplejam!) and spices (Aarons famous chilli paste) and moms self picked and pressed fruit juce.
March 2013 - Gambier Islands
Now we arrived in the Marquesas! On our way up we had the best dive ever in the pass from Amanu atoll.
Highlight was also my parents visiting for one month.
February 2013 - Pacific Passage - Easterisland - Pitcarn
February we sailed more than 4500 miles from Ecuator to Gambier Islands with only to stopovers at Easterisland and Pitcairn. On the passage we made good speed with mileages between 200 and 250 the first 10 days. After the wind dropped we fished a 1,5 meter swordfish. Most delicous fish ever!
Easterisland was incredible and a real treat after that long passage. We came right in time to the Tiare festival - a dancing, sport and singing competition the whole island takes part and prepares the whole year for.Surfing and diving right from the boat and super mountainbiking. And not forget to mention the impressive statues!
The ongoing passage was less pleasant with huge swell which made our Genaker break and little wind at the end.
Jannuary 2013 - Peru
We sailed from Panama to Ecuator, left the boat there and traveled Peru by bus. On the passage Phil cought a big Marlin who decided to tear the line after a few seconds but showed of before by jumping completly out of the water.
Machu Picchu left a huge impression as well as the snow covered mountains of the cordillera blanco. A long biketour up to a 4500m glacier was the highlight.
Coming back to Ecuator unfortunateIy I found my Dingi engine stolen.
Now we are at easter island – fotos follow soon!
December 2012 - Islas Perlas / Panama
We were very busy doing the Antifouling on a secluded beach and changed the sealings of the saildrive and repaired the rudder. Now the boat is ready for its long trip over the pacific.
We just checked out in Panama City and will leave to Lima / Peru tommorow.
A Happy New Year and a delayed Merry xmas
September to November 2012 - Panama - San Blas
August 2012
Highlight was beeing a tourist in Columbia and visting the lost city -ancient remains of a indian city in the serra nevada only accessable via 5 day hike.
Now we are sailing along the San Blas Island which stretch over 120miles along the Panama coast. Hopefully we make it to our island before darkness. Lots of reefs and bad charts in this area make eyeball navigation essential.
July 2012
Nice diving in Bonaire end of June and Doerte and Anne joined me on the trip over the rest of the ABC islands to Columbia. Two girls on bord and no bad luck at all - who would have thought so - no damages on the boat - and 3 fishes all in all.
We discovered a wonderful anchorage in Curacau, did a lot of wrack dives in Aruba and I had a incredible kite and surf session in Cabo de la Vela in Columbia.
June 2012
Last two weeks we went back to all highlight spots from May in the Grenadines instead of heading to dangerous Venezuela and discovered some new amazing underwater caves in St. Vincent. You could swim into a crack with 1000snds of bats and dive out to a drop off!
The anchorages in St. Vincent were all surrounded by steep volcano cliffs.
The new 15hp dinghy engine gives us a lot of fun. Heading to a 1 mile distant dive spot in 5 minutes instead of 30 minutes like before opens up a whole lot of opportunities.
Kitesurfing was a highlight as well so late in the season. We had steady 20kn and sun were we should have no wind and rain this time of the year. Enclosed I am sending some fotos again.
Anyway we head to Bonaire today and will make a little stopover at Islas Aves just before Bonaire.
In Bonaire Albrecht and Anna will head back to Austria and Dörte and Anne will come on bord.
Cheers
Martin, 2012, July, 2nd
Here a detailed report from Albrecht and Anna who joined in July:
Wonna sail real fast? You like anchoring in exclusive spots staying clear of crowded touristy places? Ever felt you wanted to snorkel in turquoise waters and swim almost "cheek to cheek" with a gentle Hawksbill turtle? You´d like to try out what it feels like to live like a bluewater sailor for a limited period of time? You feel attracted by the idea of living a simple life close to nature, with the magnificent world of colorful marine life virtually just one dive away from your boat? All this -
and incredibly much more - is available for you aboard WILD ONE, the fast 47 ft sailing catamaran. The remarkable young Austrian owner and skipper has been sailing competitively and diving ever since his teenage years, and ever since WILD ONE´s maiden voyage from Sri Lanka to Thailand the most experienced skipper and his fast boat have sailed across the Indian Ocean, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, crossed the South Atlantic from Cape Town to Brazil in the past two years and more recently have spent the last months cruising up and down the Caribbean. During the four weeks in June 2012 that my wife and I crewed aboard WILD ONE we sailed out of Trinidad north into the Grenadines to such inspiring places like Petit Tabac on the outside of the famous Horseshoe Reef with the Tobago Cays being one of the wellknown highlights of all the Caribbean. We repeatedly passed by places where "The Pirates Of The Caribbean" had been
filmed, fortunately meeting only peacefully minded other sailors on their - usually much slower - boats. Gunkholing through the Grenadines we found the traces of an old whaling station in one place, a phantastic cave with thousands of bats inside, a moray eel standing guard at the
entrance on one side and and a pitch black narrow channelled gap that offered a spectacular exit at the rear end where you could swim out again - and many more inspiring anchorages along our way. Martin proved to be a divemaster that we immediately felt confident and at full ease with as he introduced us to a new experience of a very special kind. As a diving novice with my brevet just recently acquired I appreciated his responsible style of guiding me in all the dives. Towards the end of our time aboard WILD ONE I had accomplished not only my first wreck dives but I had also dived through underwater caves - something I could not imagine being capable of doing only a few weeks ago. Some of the most surprising encounters with turtles and Eagle rays happened even in quite shallow waters while swimming and snorkeling around the boat lying at anchor or on a
mooring. You can relax and unwind easily aboard the catamaran with her enormous deckspace, enjoy sunbathing, reading or just watching as the skipper comes zooming by with his kite or on a surfboard. All in all life is very easygoing and you yourself decide at which pace the day should be passed. Have a sundowner in the evening and enjoy a delicious meal afterwards - especially if you are as fortunate as we were, twice bing able to catch a Mahi Mahi on the way to the magnificant Islas Los Aves and then again shortly before our last landfall in Bonaire. For us these four weeks have meant the sailing experience of a lifetime. We came as guests and we left as friends! Thanks so much, Martin! Good luck and all the best for your future as you continue towards the great Pacific! "Fair winds, following seas!" to WILD ONE, her skipper and all the crew that will be joining their voyage!
March and April 2012
Tobago – end March
Arrived in Tobago on 28 March 2012 into the beautiful rustic village of Charlotville. Anchored at Pirate Bay then set about exploring the nearby areas.
A hike up into the rain forest included an exciting encounter with a green snake busy sucking the juice out of an unfortunate frog, clearly irritated by being interrupted during his lunch.
A few days were spent on land enjoying the local hospitality, meeting the mango man, the gancha man, the fish man and the music man, Spikey. Enjoyed a couple Carib beers while liming with the locals, and a night out sampling the local cuisine. After several patch jobs, Dodgy Dingie managed to hold out to the end of the month, with some very interesting floating techniques and beach landings.
Snorkeled the Bucco Reef, a protected marine park and enjoyed diving at The Sisters Rocks. Swam to Pigeon Point, Tobagos most famous beach, to relax on beach chairs and sip ice cold beer. Took the local bus through to Scarborough to stock up on supplies, explore the botanical gardens, conquer Fort King George and sample the local Bob Marley reggae music.
Trinidad Chaguaramas – beginning April 2012
Sailed from Tobago to Trinidad on 1 April. Farewell dinner with top crew Felix, George & Mark at Power Boats jetty restaurant, Sails.
A couple of quiet weeks in around the harbor allowed for a bit of repairs & maintenance, the successful purchase and resuscitation of our new Dingie Jesus, beach barbeque with the Brazilians at Scotland Bay, some great cycling trips exploring the lush green terrain and the exciting discovery of Channel 68 where trading trash for treasure at 8am in the morning, became a highlight.
The new crew, Torstan, Joe, Ute, Werner & Urs arrived mid April and we sailed from Trinidad to Tobago on 15 April.
Tobago – mid April 2012
Lots of diving at several different spots, including the wreck at Mt Irvane Bay, beach barbeques, delicious lobster dining, lots of freshly caught fish superbly prepared, Caribbean cocktail sundowners on top of Wild One, wonderful snorkeling, hikes to hidden waterfalls with swimming in rock pools and then it was sailing with dolphins from Tobago to Trinidad. A stormy overnight anchorage at Grande Riviere Bay, Trinidad allowed for the amazing experience of watching the leatherback Turtles, some in excess of 2 metres in size, lay their eggs.
heading Trinidad (2012/Mar/28)
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The last two weeks we sailed 1800 miles from Salvador into the Amazonas to Belem. We had short stopovers in Receife, Sao Luis and in a nice little offshore island called isla dos rocas with clear water and nice diving.
We managed to catch 3 Thunas and 1 Dolphinfish again. see more (2012/Mar/3)
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We are leaving Salvador and heading towards Belem. 1500 miles to go in 12 days - Brazil is a large country!
The two days Carnival were very impressive - never seen so many people in motion before!
We are seven people from 7 different nations - US, GB, Germany, France, Brazil, Austria and Switzerland. (2012/Feb/18)
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Yesterday we arrived well after 3800 miles and 25 sailing days in Salvador Brasil. A whole new continent to discover...
We managed to scrap our spinaker and could not catch a single fish!
But wind and weather made for a pleasent passage. (2012/Feb/3)