A Lady A.R.C crossing. avoiding the recession and rain in style
A Lady
Stephen Hyde
Mon 23 Nov 2009 15:38
|
MONDAY 23rd Nov, 2009
By 22.oohrs we were making great progress,
spinniker (parasail ) pulling us along in great style.
By midnight, the wind was very fresh but we kept
going with the " kite" .
Thomas, ( who supplied the sail ) said not to
attempt a drop once the wind got over 20knots, and by 04.00 the wind was
over
30 knots and we were touching 12.30 nkots at times.
but very stable all the time.
Eventually @ 5.30 all hands were called to the
deck, We had to get this sail down, we were going so fast in big
sea's
that water was being forced through the forward
portholes and the skipper was getting worried
We talked through the proceedure and eventually
went for it. It was dark and with a big sea running with equally big
white horses.
Everyone had the lifejackets and saefty
harness's clipped on.
BANG , the sheet and guy flew through the skipper's
bare hand's ( removing most of the skin in the process ) and the "kite"
shot forward,
but as it did, the boys got the sock down over it
in double quick time and a short few minutes the whole thing was
stored in its bag on deck.
much to the relief of everyone on
board.
We then rolled out a well reefed main and staysail
and were still sailing merrily along at 7.5 knot's, we all managed to grab some
sleep.
the day was rough and windy and lunch was just
finger food, we reported our position to the control office and sailed off into
the afternoon.
Signed :-
Stephen Hyde.
|