We have been running with cruising chute and jib both poled out all day. The wind is pushing us along at 5 knots or so but it isn't fast enough, however, we are expecting continual improvements from later today.

 

We have deployed the more permanent sun shade which makes the cockpit a much nicer place to be although the skipper complained of not being able to see the stars at night.

 

Two fish were caught yesterday - both smallish tuna. It was enough for a fish with toast and Dill sauce starter.

 

We are working a 2 hour on and 6 off watch pattern. The watchkeeper stays on deck and looks out at all times whilst the rest are free to do chores (clothes washing, repairs etc) and sleeping or just loafing around reading etc. At night the watchkeeper wears a life jacket, not so much for the floatation if he falls into the sea, but for the integral harness. We always 'lock on' ie tether ourselves to the boat when leaving the cockpit at night. In truth there is little to see at night (or in the day for that matter) so looking for shooting stars or listening to music or podcasts tends to fill the time between cups of tea and the odd bit of sail tweeking. The moon currently rises and sets during the day and is a pathetic wisp of a thing anyway so the nights are dark. Its an eery feeling rushing through the water into the blackness.

 

PS A whopping tuna escaped this morning. Its a pity as this would have undoubtedly have provided us with a main course. However it shows that we are getting the lure right.

 

JMH