Heading West 58:41N 48:49W
Millybrown
Mark Hillmann
Fri 22 Aug 2008 10:28
The wind is back, after two quiet days we are
moving again. Yesterday was quiet and cool with fog banks.
Today as forecast the wind is back and we are
playing tactical games with it.
We are running straight downwind which is nearer
west than south. I can hear Paul (London ice consultancy services)
saying:
"Why? I have told you there is ice over
there."
I know Paul, but there is a little trough (low
pressure area) forecast for tomorrow just south of us, so I am trying to
run round the top of it and hold northerlies for a couple of days.
Beating into a south wind would be much less fun.
We should have room between the trough and the
iceberg limit, unless either the grib weather forecast is wrong or the ice
moves.
You can see we are trying quite hard with two jibs
and the main all setting well.
Today is warmer. Putting that second jib up was
hard work single handed.
I ended up warm enough to take my hat
off.
Seeing 6 and 7 knots back on the gps makes it worth
while.
If we could hold this down to St
Johns....
George W, the windvane steers very well in these conditions.
Yesterday in less than 3 knots of wind he had difficulty, but with 15
knots the boat is bouncing and surfing down the waves.
Hard work steering for a person but George W swings the tiller
backwards and forwards to counter all the yawing.
Why George W? Well my tiller pilots have
always been called George. They are electric and work well when
motoring. They would stand no chance in these conditions, as instant
response is what keeps the boat sailing. So George the Wind (Welsh) was
contracted to George W (Presidential).
You can see the towed generator spinning as
well now, so no more starting the engine every few hours to keep the battery
up.
Note:
I failed to send anything yesterday. The
Iridium signal strength stays low. I do not know why.
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