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.