Rolling along
Adonde
Neil & Tracy Batcheler
Thu 21 Dec 2006 19:33
|
Noon position 24:51.6N 17:26.8W
Days run a still unimpressive 110 miles or
so.
First there's no wind, then there's too much,
finally we have a manageable amount and we're making progress without being too
uncomfortable. We still aren't covering a lot of ground, and are still behind
our group of friends out here, but it's a distinct improvement on yesterday.
The following is for the eyes of sailing types
only, landlubbers will not, I fear, understand:
The wind is now directly behind us so we've dropped
the mainsail and are using just the headsail, held out to starboard using a
snatch block as a barber hauler. Being a catamaran this has the same effect as
poling out the genoa but without a pole, and seems to be working well. It's a
new thing for us and so far, so good.
OK landlubbers, tune in again now.
Just before the 1800 radio sched we heard the
exciting sound of the fishing reel screaming, indicating our first fish strike.
Huzzah! Turned out to be a smallish Dorada / MahiMahi, which we managed to get
as far as the back of the boat before it spat the hook and lure out and went on
it's way. Bugger. Also broke the new fishing rod holder. Bugger again. So we
stuck the rod in our other holder and within five minutes the reel was screaming
again. We'll never know what it was as it took off like a bat out of hell,
taking a lot of line off the reel before we could get to it and then breaking
the line completely. From the brief feel of the rod before the line broke (50lb
line mind you) it certainly seemed big so it's probably best it got away as it
might have eaten us. Shame it nicked my nice pink squid lure though. I think
I've got another one somewhere...
Finally, the ham's bearing up well, as I know you
all want to hear, I might treat you to a picture
tomorrow.
|