A "Sporty" Sail
Magnetic Attraction
Roger and Margaret Pratt
Fri 1 Nov 2013 09:56
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31:09.66N
1:52.38W
Friday morning and as I write at 9.30 UTC the log
is reading 426 miles run from Ayemonte. Another 160 miles to go. So
it will be a very fast passage: 4 nights at sea with arrival mid-morning on
day 5.
The wind has been strong over the past 24 hours
(predicted) and remains strong (not predicted.) From mid-afternoon on
Thursday it was blowing a steady 25-30 knots: we were surfing down the waves and
charging along at an average speed of 6.5 - 7 knots. To make the passage
more comfortable we reduced sail with 2 reefs in the mailsail and a postage
stamp jib; but in the early hours even that was too great and the jib was fully
furled. I would have liked to have taken in the third reef but Roger
wasn't keen. As we approach the islands the depths change significantly - from
the sea bed contours one can see where there are underwater mountain peaks that
don't yet break the surface. Both adverse current and the bumpy sea bed
add to the confusion of the sea.
Seas like this find every stowage weakness and
everything not fixed in place rolls about including us! Most of
the time you can predict the lurch and brace - but not always! I was
caught unawares and fell hard down the steps towards the stern. The
bruises will be mega, I fear. We're identifying a need to change
stowage arrangements to minimise disruption when we are 4 aboard, and will
experiment over the next couple of weeks.
All being well the next post will be from
Lanzarote!
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