Gibraltar to Brighton

Minka of Southampton - Cruising Log
Edmund Wigan
Wed 1 Sep 2010 11:51
We have again been lucky with the wind and after leaving Gib at 10.30 yesterday we were sailing downwind until early this morning. We had a max gust of 38 kts through the straits and Tarifa were putting out a F8. The mean speed was probably at the top end of F7. Whatever it was it gave us up to 8kts boat speed and Minka was surfing as best as she is able.
 
 John helming
 
We were overpressed for a while which made steering quite fun but eventually got down to three reefs with the genoa poled out opposite the main. Unfortunately the wind abated during the night and has moved onto out nose. We are now (1400 Spaniah Time) 15nm south of Portimao with 28 nm to Cabo De Sao Vicente..We are motoring which means we will probably need to stop somewhere for fuel. The Spanish Met are promising a SW 4/5 later which would be good.