Skippers log
Morningsong
Sun 10 May 2009 17:56
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Position: N24.50.4
W063.18.0
Speed: 6.5
kts
Course: 024 M
Wind: 15
kts
Sky:
Clear
Seas: 1-2
m
Mood: On
top!!!!
Dear reader...
Today we celebrated passing half the way to
Bermuda. We are approximately 40nm behind plan, but the weather has not
been the best and we've faced some challenges with the equipment, including
updating this blog and downloading weather. Yeasterday evening we managed to get
the first string of weather, however, it was for some reason the wrong ocean. It
was over the Pacific ocean, which is pretty far from where we are, but the
weather was good over there at least.
This morning I made a new attempt with the old
version of the program, which turned out to be a success. We got the latest GRIB
file which shows us the weather for the next 72 hours in periods of 12 hours. It
looks promising and at the moment it is very good.
We noticed yesterday that the fresh water in one of
the tanks was empty, which is strange. It's claimed to hold some 150 US gallons,
which is something like 600 liters, but we believe it holds more like 150
liters!!! Not to worry about my dear reader, we have one more tank that we just
started and we have 20 liters of bottled water, including lots of Caribbean rum,
so the cook and myself are in good spirit.
Today we tried the well renomed
"cruising shute" which is similar to a spinnaker but without a boom. The
angle to the wind was too steep and the increase in speed was minimal, so we
decided to take it down and rig the more traditional Genoa and a reefed main
sail.
We do still have the wind coming from the East, but
we believe it will turn more to south tomorrow as we make our way towards the
"Bermuda Highs".
Our most appreciated crewmember, "Mr Hydra" (the
autopilot) is working well again, but he doesn;t like the steep angles and lots
of sail area, which we recognize and respect.
Last night was a good night, with moonlight for the
cook on her watch and rain for the Captain. The most important though, is that
we had good wind and averaged some 6 knots. From 1800 yesterday till 1800 today
looks to be our fastest 24 hours, with some 165nm. Nothing that "tips over a
caravan" but a nice little treat for me and the cook.
This morning the cook went above and beyond and
served scrambled eggs a'la Stig. It's eggs and bacon mixed on a slice of rye
bread. Very good choice which improves the morale onboard.
For lunch we had tunafish bean salad with pasta and
some chicken that we had to finish before it marched it's way out it
self.
Tonigh we are turning on the bbq for a couple of
steaks with risotto. The chef is threatening with some vitamin C filled desert
as well.
We are still trying to find the fishingear that we
were supposed to cath the big tuna with. Just before departure we had "Mr. Stow
everything deep and difficult" onboard, so we have some difficulties
finding a few things. :)
For the rest of the day, it looks like the sun will
continue to burn our Scandinvaian skin and the wind seems to be steady our
of the east at about 15 knots.
Until next time, take care and keep
working...
Captain JJ and the
Cook!
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