Day 13 Strong winds
Moondancer
Fri 5 Dec 2008 17:00
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We duly left the big red spinnaker up last night,
we had had steady 12 to 18 knot winds all day, and as only 8 were forecast
figured that it was more likely that they would drop than rise. Well true to
recent form we lasted until 4.45 am when with rising seas and a gust of 25 knots
the sail came down. Again with no dramatics but still focussing the mind, as now
we have done a total of two drops in the dark.
The winds then rose further and have stayed
around 25 knots all day and the seas risen, but with one reef in the main and a
poled out genoa we are quite comfortable running with the wind. Once again our
wind has been approximately twice the forecast, and this is the fourth time we
have had winds over 25 knots since the start.
For those looking at the map and wondering where we
are going our strategy has been very simple. Because of adverse weather north of
15N and west of 35 W we decided to aim south, running on our fastest point of
sail. Once we reached 15 N we turned for St Lucia and found that the
current was still carrying us south, but rather than fight this we continued to
sail on a westerly heading letting the current take us south into the area of
better winds. We have been expecting the current to swing behind us and then
eventually slightly northerly, so have not worried about this southerly
drift.
Since about lunchtime today the first signs of
it swinging behind us are there. If this is right we should start seeing a big
improvement in our daily numbers. Similarly a wind shift is expected that will
lift us back on course to St Lucia. In a few days we expect the South Easterly
winds we have had for over a week to move to North Westerly allowing us to gybe
for the final run into St Lucia. A simple plan, I hope it works!
Meanwhile we bounce around in a confused 9ft sea,
but making good progress. I did try to capture the sea today, but this is
notoriously difficult in 2D.
 On another topic, we heard from Sea Rover today,
they also celebrated their half way point yesterday, about 400 miles north of
us. Although like us they had been a dry ship so far, they celebrated
with foie gras, quails eggs, and sauternes! We had talked about a
celebration last night and the conclusion was that after so long, and with the
end beginning to be in sight, it was easier to wait for arrival. So for us
Putanesca and spaghetti, followed by coffee. Wahoo tonight though and I am to
cook.
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