End Day 3...another 200+ mile day....but...
27:52.3N 68:25.3W Three days in a row of over 200 miles...actually, 208 in the last 24 hours. We are now 640 miles behind us and about 820 miles ahead! Today we have had a variety of weather experiences! We went from light rain and 10 knots on the beam, to a squall with 33 knots and very heavy rain, to cloudy skies and only 12 knots of wind dead astern. And with the weather changes went multiple sail changes....from motor sailing with the main and the engine, to reefed main and genoa without the engine, to genoa only with light winds from astern. And along the way setting and changing the set of the preventer on the port side several times. The pictures below were taking during the heavy rain (with some laundry that did not get "in" on time)...."Otto" was at the helm (meaning the autopilot was engaged and steering the desired course)...since the wind was from astern, the rain blew fully into the cockpit and the companionway had to be secured (Mike and Ralph on a very, very wet watch topside). But that's sailing....and we love it! With new weather updates, we are now working through the next challenge....adequacy of fuel supply! So here is a math test: We carry 1500 liters (about 400 gallons) from the start....but we are now down to 1100 liters remaining...we burn 4 liters per hour for the generator, and burn 12 liters per hour when running the engine at normal cruising speed. We need adequate fuel to motor up the Bay (about 120 miles, and will take 18 hours), and we need to allow fuel for 5 days of generator running at 5 hours per day....so...here is the test for Rob Webb's third grade class at Lake Magdalene School in Florida....how many hours can we run the engine at normal cruising speed....therefore, how many hours do we NEED to sail in order to get home without refueling (assume that we cruise with the engine, or sail at the same average speed of 7 knots)...it is 700 miles to the entrance to the Bay ! The captain will be mentally running this calculation several times a day from here out! But...we do have the option to stop for fuel just after we get to the mouth of the Bay; however, if we get there at night, and need fuel, we need to "hang out" until the fuel dock opens the next morning! So let's sail!! Tonight we are sailing with genoa only and doing 6.5 knots, on a starboard tack....tomorrow you will see our next planned maneuver for conserving fuel....will we tack?...Stay tuned! Captain Mike |