Still waiting for the wind to change N40:55 W44:02

Millybrown
Mark Hillmann
Sun 17 May 2009 17:07
The forecast is still saying the wind will change, but they have put it back to today, three days of head winds now.
 
Anyway the storm jib is down, half the genoa rolled out and only two reefs in the main.
 
We are off on a close reach now, 6 knots at 30 degrees off course seems better than trying to head right up.  When the wind goes round I can get south again.
 
The track below gives an indication of what we have done and how we slowed down three days ago, where the zig-zags start.  It has not been for want of trying, we covered 102 miles yesterday by the chartplotter, but only made 55 towards the Azores.  Sail was reduced when the crash landings from the waves became too severe or adding when the wind eased.  I ended with the storm jib on most of the time and two or three reefs.  The genoa was added sometimes but seemed to increase the flapping rather than the speed to windward.
 
This is the first time that I have had to push to arrive at a destination before the crew.  They are due in Flores on 23 May.  600 miles in 6 days is quite possible and there is fuel to motor if we get a couple of quiet days, but four days at 6 knots would be more appreciated.
 
I should not complain, Slocum took 31 days from Boston to the Azores and it has only been 13 so far for us.