Too Much Fun

1,569 views  |   January 15th, 2020 

We haven’t had a blog back from the crew today, but I do have the Skipper’s Log from Sue for the past 2 days for you. It sounds like the wind picked up nicely after the Doldrums and the crew are sailing again.

 

Trade wind sailing

Sailing downwind

 

Tuesday 14th Jan, 2020

Time : 1522 GMT (1220 Boat Time)
Position : 34 06’N    54.02’ W
Destination : Horta, Azores
ETA : 21st Jan
Sailplan : 1 reef, yankee 2
Apparent wind: 18kts
SOG 8.5kts
Fuel : 3 full, 1 in use
Water : 2 full, 1 in use 1 filling from watermaker
Gas : 2 full, 1 in use, 2 empty

Sorry for the belated report – I was having too much fun on deck, top speed of 12.2kts . The wind started to fill in shortly before 0600 and Linds was able to turn the engine off, making 7kts or so under 2 reefed main & staysail. Once we had some light we shook a reef out, dropped the stay & hoisted the Y1. The breeze is a bit gusty, however, and the sea state not particularly kind so after an hour or so, with some dark clouds gathering, we changed to the Y2.

I’m currently looking at course & weather to see if poling out would give us a steadier ride through a quartering sea. All happy on board & contemplating the arrival time in Horta sweep. The stakes are high and some are waiting for the skipper & mate to make their predictions before committing themselves. The deadline for entries is tomorrow noon, when we will have our official halfway party. Currently distance travelled in a not straight line equals distance to go in a straight line – if that makes sense.

 

Position at noon 15 January

Position at noon 15 January

 

Wednesday 15th Jan, 2020

Time : 1232 GMT
Position : 35 00’N    51.37’ W
Destination : Horta, Azores
ETA : 21st Jan
Sailplan : yankee 2, motorsailing
Apparent wind: 16kts
SOG 5.5kts
Fuel : 3 full, 1 in use
Water : 2 full, 1 in use 1 filling from watermaker
Gas : 2 full, 1 in use, 2 empty

It was all going so well – but these things are sent to try us…

After an accidental gybe last night that sheared the pin securing the main sheet to the traveller pad eye, we sailed under Y2 alone overnight, switching the engine on this morning when the wind direction became unhelpful. A rig check was done as soon as there was sufficient light and a software developer & a doctor have just finished a very tidy lashing to re-attach the main sheet block.

The gribs show light & shifting winds through today, settling briefly back into the west before a big blow on Friday. Once we have the main re-hoisted, with a reef in, we will celebrate passing the halfway point with a nice lunch and a glass of rum punch under chilly grey skies. No more Caribbean for Challenger 2 L. Otherwise all well & good on board & hopefully no lasting effects from last night’s drama. There was one fatality & we mourned the burial at sea of a flying fish as the dawn broke. Currently we have run 1400 miles and have 1100 left to go – in a straight line – to Horta. The countdown begins.

 

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More blogs about this Atlantic Adventure can be read here: Antigua to Portsmouth

Posted by: First Class Sailing

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