25:59.3N 062:51.9W Midday Fix 13 May 2010 Didn't Anyone Tell You? Sailing Is A Watersport!
Oboe D'Amore's Web Diary
Nigel Backwith
Thu 13 May 2010 11:42
2010
View our progress on Google Earth at: http://blog.mailasail.com/oboe
GPS Position: 25:59.3N 062:51.9W
Sea Miles (previous 24 Hours): 164nMs
Sea Miles to date: 579nMs
Present Course Over Ground: 010°M
Present Speed Over Ground: 6.4kts
Average Speed Over Ground (previous 24 hours): 6.8kts
Average Speed Over Ground to date: 6.3kts
Estimated GPS Position in 24 hours time: 28:29N 063:08W
Sea State: Moderate to Rough
Wind Speed and Direction: 17kts NE
Barometric Pressure: 1012mB
Engine Hours to date: 0.37hrs
It has been a tiring 24 hours for everyone. The seas and the wind strength
picked up early yesterday and have been unrelenting. There is a bit of sea
sickness on board but everyone is managing very well. It has been a steep
learning curve for all but it is a pleasure to see the team coming together,
with watch leaders ordering sail reefing and the job being done safely and
efficiently. Sail trim is better understood too, which sees boat speed
being maintained effectively. Couldn't ask for a better crew. Maggie even
managed to prepare and serve a delicious chilli con carne during last
night's bad weather!
If we keep up our current progress we will be in The Azores in less than 2
weeks time but that is pure speculation at this stage of the journey.
Actually we are forecast light winds later on today and for the next 24
hours when the trade winds eventually give up. So far, however, the winds
have been consistently higher than forecast, so who knows!
David and Ryan are on deck, flying fish watching, with all others in their
bunks. Local time here it is actually 0740. It is sunny with partial cloud
cover and warming up. At least I guess it is, as I can see the watch
stripping out of their wet weather gear into the shorts and T-shirts below.
Oh, yes I forgot to mention it rained much of the night and we also took
some rogue waves over the bow that dumped gallons of water into the cockpit
providing an uncalled for dousing! No one needs reminding that sailing is a
water sport.
Nigel
Date: 13 May 2010