Position: 60:05S 067:20W
Date / Time: 20 January 1400 (1700
UTC)
Re my notes on how we cope with the cold temperatures, I
forgot some of the most important bits:
- On Mina2 we have what the
marketing boys call a “deck saloon” which means that in the saloon (or what
landlubbers might call the living room) we have, by boat standards, enormous
bullet-proof glass windows which afford a panoramic view whilst down below.
But when the outside temperature of the glass is freezing, so too is the
temperature of a large area inside. So I had acrylic sheets cut in Buenos
Aires to the exact sizes of the windows, got a lot of Velcro and – instant
double glazing. It works brilliantly well.
- The other inspiration, and one of
the few original ideas I’ve had in years, is what we affectionately call the
conservatory which is a plastic extension to the sprayhood which provides an
insulating tent which stops most of the cold air from rushing down through the
hatch which has to be kept open most of the time. I had this made up in Buenos
Aires as well, and it has been worth more than its weight in gold.
- Sleeping bags. They’re all very
heavy duty, but even so, I for one have been crawling into mine complete with
thermals, Weezle suit and two pairs of socks. Not so Venetia who retires to
bed having changed into a fetching Wyncyette nightgown with matching nightcap
with a bobble (and a nightcap in a glass) – but she also takes to bed half a
dozen hot water bottles as well (and, occasionally, Able Seadog Snoopy for
added warmth).
- And by no means least, it is essential to have
excellent heavy weather salopettes and jackets in these conditions –
particularly when crossing the Drake. If you have anything less, you get wet
and in these temperatures that would be murder. Skip Novak, legendary high
latitude sailor, offered to loan me a set of foulies for everyone on board. I
can’t tell you how valuable they’ve been. Nor how good value are his
top-of-the-range cruises to Antarctica, the Channels, South Georgia etc –
details on www.pelagic.co.uk
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