{"id":4031,"date":"2019-01-18T08:49:51","date_gmt":"2019-01-18T08:49:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.firstclasssailing.com\/blog\/?p=4031"},"modified":"2019-01-18T08:49:51","modified_gmt":"2019-01-18T08:49:51","slug":"antigua-to-portsmouth-day-8-to-avoid-doom-steer-away-from-the-boom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.firstclasssailing.com\/blog\/antigua-to-portsmouth-day-8-to-avoid-doom-steer-away-from-the-boom\/","title":{"rendered":"Antigua to Portsmouth Day 8: ‘To Avoid Doom, Steer Away From the Boom’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thursday 17 January 2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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As the weather builds for the first time on this crossing, the crew have to work together to keep Challenger 4 on course and each other well fed. The next 2 days of weather will be challenging for them, but there are signs that they are up to the task. Luckily, they’ve had over a week to ‘bed-in’ and learn to work as a team.<\/p>\n

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Don’t Forget to Avoid Doom<\/h2>\n

Today started (or was it yesterday ended, I\u2019m not sure) with a cold slap of seawater to my face.\u00a0 The small hatch opposite my bunk (which is the middle one of three) was partially open and, with the heel of the yacht, pointing skywards.\u00a0 That was all the gap that stray wave needed to find its way to me and announce that we were shortly to experience our first serious \u2018weather\u2019.\u00a0 With the sea state now being recorded in the hourly log as \u2018moderate\u2019 (I\u2019m somewhat concerned what \u2018rough\u2019 looks like) we\u2019ve been thumping along on a broad reach all night and day with speeds regularly exceeding 12 knots, and up to 13.7 (well done Ben).\u00a0 Helming at night has been challenging!\u00a0 30 knot gusts and big swells push the yacht up into the wind, the yacht heels and accelerates and the big bare away results in surfing down the wave and then hardening up to avoid \u2018crash gybe territory\u2019.\u00a0 Sue\u2019s words provide a useful reminder \u2018to avoid doom, steer away from the boom\u2019.<\/p>\n

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Dolphins on the Bow<\/h2>\n

Damage report: the saloon table has left the floor, and is now secured with lines.\u00a0 There are a few wet cushions due to hatches being left open too long. Mike awoke rather abruptly with a storage box landing on his face.\u00a0 He doesn\u2019t look any worse for wear and on the positive side is as good looking as ever.\u00a0 The Yankee 1 sail briefly launched itself into the sea during a sail change but, following a massive crew effort to tame the dragon, is now secured safely to the deck.\u00a0 No seasickness to report!\u00a0 And to make everyone feel better, the sun came out this afternoon and four dolphins joined us to play off the bow.<\/p>\n

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The Best Mother Watch Crew on the High Seas!<\/h2>\n

The mother watch for this finely honed team has had the usual ups, downs and lurches. But we are getting used to that now and wondering why it\u2019s always us that get the bouncy watches \u2013 probably because we are the best!\u00a0 We served chicken and bacon soup and onion bagels for lunch and bangers and mash, peas, onions, peppers and gravy for supper.\u00a0 Just to put that in perspective, the galley has standing room for two, the worktop is tiny, and the stove swings on its gimbals with the waves, at angles up to 30 degrees.\u00a0 Getting the meals ready, hot and in the bowls, where they should be, is a logistical wonder.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re losing track of what day it is, but that doesn\u2019t seem to matter so much anymore.\u00a0 It\u2019s just one watch to the next, distance run and miles to go.\u00a0 The only break in the pattern is the mother watch every fourth day, which provides, after a day\u2019s hard labour, the opportunity for a full night\u2019s sleep.\u00a0 And that\u2019s where we are headed now!<\/p>\n

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Myles<\/p>\n

Chris<\/p>\n

Merja<\/p>\n

Ryan<\/p>\n

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Somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean<\/p><\/div>\n

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You can read more blogs from this voyage<\/a> or other Atlantic Sailing Adventures here<\/a><\/p>\n

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