Life at 45 Degrees – Sailing the Atlantic

The latest blog from Challenger 2 see the FCS crew get a taste of the sailing conditions they were all hoping for…

It’s all about Biscuits and Chocolate

(Saturday 3rd Nov) Left Cascais about 10am heading out into a lumpy sea, sails were hoisted and spirits high and looking forward to the voyage ahead happy to be back at sea.

We were expecting a few squalls but these turned up quicker than expected turning the lumpy sea into a maelstrom of high waves spray and driving rain. These new weather conditions brought new challenges to the crew like living at an angle of 45 degrees at learning to helm in crashing seas which had an annoying habit of trying to swamp the boat.

This was certainly a new experience for many of the crew who were beginning to regret there comments of wanting more extreme conditions. Everybody pulled through giving the crew a new confidence in their own abilities and a sense of pride in being able to hold it together on such a difficult night. Although it was hard to prepare meals a healthy supply of biscuits and chocolates kept everybody happy on deck.

Thankfully when daybreak came we were greeted with blue skies and sunshine and it looks like it’s going to be a great day.

Finding the Sea Legs

(Sunday 4th Nov) We have had a good 24 hrs all crew and Mate have now recovered from sea sickness, a very nice chilli was produced for last night’s dinner.

We had a big moon with clear sky’s overnight, unfortunately we had to motor for a few hours due to light and variable winds but as of 08- 30 this morning we are sailing again with good speeds and in the right direction.

This morning we had an opportunity to watch a beautiful sunrise as the moon set to our west, to be aboard at this point was a privilege. The sea has settled a bit to start with, as our watch ended the wind died and we started motoring which reminded us of the joys of our sleep deprived nights in the Bay of Biscay.

The crew have been complaining ceaselessly about the weather, the coast of Morocco is too hot for our northern European souls.

The wind has moved around to directly ‘up our chuff’ and currently gusting up to 24 knots with heavier winds forecast for tonight. Cooking pork chops and mash is going to be a fun challenge!! But very exciting for the helm.

(Monday 5th November) It’s been another wild and windy day / night on board Challenger 2, the wind built higher than expected combined with a large swell meant putting the 3rd reef in at 2100 Josh came off watch and along with the crew got it set in good time.

Helming was easier but was then and still remains a challenge, crew are getting tired, spirits still high, looking forward to a break in Lanzarote. Night has turned into day and with it sunshine smiley crew and a slight drop in the wind strength.

Get Your Own Atlantic Adventure

Ocean sailing is what all sailors are hankering after and if you haven’t yet tried it then these Atlantic Adventures have something for every level of sailor.
The second leg is of this trilogy is the ARC Rally 2017 and all berths are taken, however there is still space on the return leg from Antigua to Portsmouth, starting January 4th and last about 30 days.

Quite a voyage and definitely one for the bucket list. You can find our more details here:  Antigua to Portsmouth Adventure

Posted by: First Class Sailing