ARC Day 4 - 20:03 N 19:33 W
Neki
Thu 25 Nov 2010 10:24
pressure system that saw the wind drop to less than 3 knots! We choose to
continue "sailing" which meant we were becalmed for about 8 hours. Prior to
that we averaged a whopping 3 - 5 knots of boat speed. Overall it was a
rough day of "sailing". We did manage to maintain our discipline and did not
go to the engine. Although running the engine is authorized in this race, we
choose to go the true sailing route and ride it out. We have seen a lot of
wild life but have not caught any fish. There have been sharks, pods of
dolphins each day and every night, a squid, a turtle, and a cobia sniffing
around one of our lures. While becalmed we decided to swim off the boat.
This experience was a slight bit unnerving as we were 90 miles off the coast
of Africa in thousands of feet of water, and floating in a virtual bath tub.
Pops fired up the video camera and Mike climbed on the bow pulpit and
prepared to jump off. Right before he jumped DJ said hold on there are fins
in the water 20 meters off the boat! We all looked and saw two fins slowly
submerge and disappear. Very movie like. We are not sure what they/it was
but it was not porpoise but could have been a ray or a ...... shark! We
waited about 15 minutes and then everyone eventually took the plunge. The
water was very cool and refreshing although none of us lingered for long!
After lunch we busted out the DVDs and watched a movie. By then we had an
early dinner and the wind was picking up. We began sailing again around 1900
local time in 6 - 7 knots of wind.
We are all looking forward to calling our families tomorrow on Thanksgiving.
Out for now!
