Atlantic Crossing

PredictWind: A Practical Guide to Weather Forecasting for Ambra

Von |2023-08-29T12:11:10+02:00August 6th, 2023|Kategorien: Atlantic Crossing, Equipment|Tags: , , , |

  Weather plays a critical role in sailing, influencing course, speed, and onboard safety. As sailors on board Ambra, we understand the importance of accurate and up-to-date weather information, both onshore and offshore. We used PredictWind as a weather forecast app and routing on our Atlantic crossing.   PredictWind Weather Routing Atlantic Crossing on Ambra   In this blog post, we share our experience in obtaining the most reliable weather forecasts using Predictwind, an exceptional weather forecast service for sailors. We'll explore the challenges of offshore communication, choosing the right platform, and optimizing weather updates to ensure a smooth and safe journey. We will not focus in on weather information analyzing the current environment, clouds, pressure, radio, NAVTEX or VHF news in this blog article.     So, buckle up (or should I say, strap on your life jackets?) and let's sail into the world of weather forecasting on board Ambra!   1. Understanding the Challenge of Offshore Weather Forecasting: Crossing the Atlantic poses unique challenges, especially when it comes to obtaining weather updates offshore. Satellite systems and SSB communication can be slow and costly, making it essential to have a reliable backup system in place. Some services offer dedicated applications or services (via Email update or Grib files) to be used via satellite communications. Starlink as a broad band service onboard, could be an option to use onshore weather apps and services (need more bandwidth) but might not work reliable offshore. You should consider a backup system using satellite coms or SSB on top. In addition Starlink has a higher power consumption (check out https://www.predictwind.com/starlink ). SSB is complex and costly as well. You need to obtain the LRC license and install the system. The connection is not always reliable and very slow. However, it is [...]

How to cook in the middle of the Atlantic !!!

Von |2022-11-26T06:52:44+01:00November 23rd, 2022|Kategorien: Atlantic Crossing, cooking, On Bord, Sailing, Worldcruising|Tags: , , , , |

Where we are now! Thomas and Andreas Ambra Food Blog, Arc Atlantic crossing 2022, from Thomas and Andreas Cooking on board can be quite challenging As we are both passionate hobby cooks we wanted to challenge ourselves and see how good we could cook in the middle of the Atlantic. Preparing the meals We had the luxury to prepare everything in an rb&b apartment in Las Palmas during 7 days prior to our departure on the 20th November 2022. Cooking with a view So we decided to precook and pressure can about half of the hot dinners. We planned for 16 days plus 2 days safety on top. Andreas had brought a pressure canner on his lap as hand luggage in the airplane from Cologne. An unusual carry on item in an airplane seat. Next challenge was to find the properly sized pressure Glas containers in Las Palmas, that would fit our pot. For 8 dishes needed around 24 containers. After several scouting trips in the neighborhood and with the help of scout Melli, we bought about 30 containers plus some smaller sized ones for confined tomatoes and garlic. This allowed us to pressure can our precooked meals at 120 degrees in order to make sure any botulism (although very rare) is wiped out. We decided to precook about half of the dinners and cook the rest ‘live’. We managed to cook about two meals a day in the apartment as the glasses had to be under pressure for an 1,5 hours. We prepared oriental lamb with raisins, figues, pine nuts. Spanish porc with walnuts and apples. Rabbit stew with roasted chestnut sauce, a really good Bolognese with self made veal stock, Italian Salciccia sauce with anis and white wine, chili von carne with chipotle jalapeño and smoked peppers, boeuf [...]

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