Tues 26th, Day 3 – “We’ve looked at clouds from both sides now”

A few of the crew aboard Challenger 2

Music and stars in the Atlantic

Night two on the Challenger. This got me thinking about that line from a Joni Mitchell song “but clouds got in my way.” As these finally cleared, we could see the full extent of the universe unhampered by any light pollution. On my next turn at the helm I located two stars on either side of the mainsail and easily steered a more accurate course, happily looking up at the sky. This was in stark contrast to the previous night spent staring down at the compass, oblivious to all but the 4 inch compass rose.

The other notable event was a course change requiring a gybe. At home on my 39’ Beantau this can be accomplished in under 60 seconds, single handed. On the Challenger, with 3 sails flying, including a polled out headsail, it took nearly 60 minutes for a 5 man crew. Additional our skipper orchestrated and performed many of the tasks involved in relocating more than a dozen lines and two 80 pound spinnaker poles, all in the dark. I have been sailing for over 50 years and while fully acquainted with the concept of gybing such a complex rig, I doubt I would have been capable of executing the gybe, even with a 10 man crew. This clearly confirmed my suspicion that it really pays to be on a professionally skippered boat for an ocean crossing.

Greetings to all those back on land, with a special shout out to Molly, my rock.

How are they doing?

Skippers Log

A great night sailing the Atlantic under a star laiden sky. We did a clean spinnaker drop at last night and spent the night getting further downwind helming practice on relatively flat seas. We are still heading South on a true course of about 195.

The crew have settled in nicely and all systems are working well.

Ricky Chalmers

Skipper

The Milky Way with the benefit of no light pollution

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Posted by: First Class Sailing