Noon report 14 Nov 11
Oyster Moon
Paul Foskett & Rhu Nash
Mon 14 Nov 2011 12:00
14 November 2011, day five on the passage to the Cape Verde Islands.
Noon report total distance travelled in the last 24 hours is 143 miles, that leaves approximately 308 miles to go. (Trip 555 miles from setting off at 9.00 am on the 10th)
24 hour sailing report
The wind has maintained a speed from 10 to 22 knots. With a maximum blow at about 04.00 hours on the 14th of 35 knots. We are still sailing with just the Genoa out as the wind is coming from directly astern of us (behind).
It is far less stressful to only use the Genoa (the sail at the front of the boat) than to have the main out as well, as we could end up jibbing the main sail and possibly damaging either the sail or the boom or mast.
We are still sailing at a steady 6 to 7 knots, and in the right direction. I did however get up to 8.8 knots when the wind was blowing 28 knots.
We have had rain on and off over the last 24 hours. The rain squalls when they arrive, generate a wind shift of about 50 degrees, so we have to tack the Genoa as it arrives and then tack it back as it passes
Only one boat was seen during the day and night, it was a 30 m sail training vessel which appeared to be taking down wind. On the first pass it was on Starboard tack and on its return on Port, but just before it reached us on the second occasion it tacked back on to starboard.
No wild life other than the odd bird was seen today.
We are sailing in company with two other boats, Moin a German boat about 40 feet long, and Marite 111 also 40 feet and one of our group boats.
Twice a day we have a SSB radio net, so each boat can give its position and weather report.
Moin who set off 24 hours ahead of us on the first day's net call was some 120 miles ahead of us. On today's morning net, their reported position puts them only 60 miles ahead. Marita 111 is now about 11 miles behind us.
Next report Noon on the 15 November 2011
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