{"id":5098,"date":"2020-01-15T15:03:08","date_gmt":"2020-01-15T15:03:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.firstclasssailing.com\/blog\/?p=5098"},"modified":"2020-01-15T15:03:08","modified_gmt":"2020-01-15T15:03:08","slug":"too-much-fun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.firstclasssailing.com\/blog\/too-much-fun\/","title":{"rendered":"Too Much Fun"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

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\"Trade

Sailing downwind<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tuesday 14th Jan, 2020<\/h2>\n

Time : 1522 GMT (1220 Boat Time)
\nPosition : 34 06\u2019N\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 54.02\u2019 W
\nDestination : Horta, Azores
\nETA : 21st<\/sup> Jan
\nSailplan : 1 reef, yankee 2
\nApparent wind: 18kts
\nSOG 8.5kts
\nFuel : 3 full, 1 in use
\nWater : 2 full, 1 in use 1 filling from watermaker
\nGas : 2 full, 1 in use, 2 empty<\/p>\n

Sorry for the belated report \u2013 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.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m 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 \u2013 if that makes sense.<\/p>\n

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\"Position

Position at noon 15 January<\/p><\/div>\n

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Wednesday 15th Jan, 2020<\/h2>\n

Time : 1232 GMT
\nPosition : 35 00\u2019N\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 51.37\u2019 W
\nDestination : Horta, Azores
\nETA : 21st<\/sup> Jan
\nSailplan : yankee 2, motorsailing
\nApparent wind: 16kts
\nSOG 5.5kts
\nFuel : 3 full, 1 in use
\nWater : 2 full, 1 in use 1 filling from watermaker
\nGas : 2 full, 1 in use, 2 empty<\/p>\n

It was all going so well \u2013 but these things are sent to try us\u2026<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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 \u2013 in a straight line \u2013 to Horta. The countdown begins.<\/p>\n

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