Easier sailing by West African coast
Moorglade's Voyage
Ted Wilson
Sat 27 Nov 2010 12:36
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Our position is 22.57.198N 18.16.35W
24 hour Run Log trip (through the
water) 125.2Nm (323Nm
cumulative)
24 hour Run GPS
(overground)
130.7Nm
Midday wind and weather
Force 2
SW Sunny with some cumulus
Sea
state: Small
swell with a few waves
Temperature:
26C
Our decision to follow the South Saharan coast has
been rewarded by easier and more productive sailing over the past 24 hours. We
have enjoyed some variable winds giving the less experienced members
of the crew (Peter and Glen) good experience of putting in and taking out
reefs.
We have seen little life in the ocean apart from a
few ships which we have given a wide berth having spotted them on the AIS, no
other yachts have been seen (although most of the ARC yachts have taken this
route to avoid the lows, they left 3 days ahead of us). A major excitement
appeared just before this log was posted when we saw a shoal of
dolphins racing through the water to greet us - they did a momentary tour of the
yacht, before racing off to find something more
interesting.
Yesterday Ted took full use of the repaired
watermaker and took a shower and also did some washing; unfortunately he had
just hung it out to dry when we were required to reef the sail and take down the
washing line. The fairly benign conditions enabled some minor repairs to be
effected - the most important being to stop a steady flow of water from the
anchor locker, when the waves run over the deck, into the foc'sle where
John sleeps.
This morning has been quiet and Ted was even
brought a bacon sandwich in bed where he had retired to after his watch, he
was volunteered to pay for this by cleaning the heads!
phc
P.S. We have had difficulty with the mailasail mail
server when trying to send mail shortly after midday. Perehaps this is just a
popular time for yachts on passage. I think we will delay for an hour in future.
EJW
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