43:39.9N 016:19.3W
We tacked this morning and are now moving north with fantastic weather
forecast that brings favorable breezes!!!! We are now beating the waves
again on a 000 degrees heading with 50-60 degrees wind direction. The wind
told us it will move more to the east, south east...smiley faces on the
boat.
About the boat and 3 crew. I got some emails of people being concerned that
it is just the 3 of us. I will not deny it is challenging, exhausting and it
took some days for me to decide. I am happy though the other 2 were born in
foul weather gear and have dated boats in the past in stead of girls. They
are not the ''Stig'', but apparently, one once dated a mermaid and when the
weather gets tuff he gets unhuman powers.
Then there is me....lost a couple of kilo's, have been puking on the first
leg due to humidity, zero ventilation, heat and diesel smell. I fell down
inside the boat when we were heeling over. result: some slightly bruced ribs
and a nice blue area on my lower back. So far, it was tough due to weather,
but everything has been manageable or as my coll.eagues love to see: was
recoverable.
At the moment most of us suffer from tiredness though. The little sleep we
get is for me not enough. Last night I got 6 hours. That makes a big
difference.
The boat is a designed racer cruiser. there are only 2 builds of this type
on the globe. This first build of course suffers from issues that are
probably resolved in the 2nd build. Most of the issues are practicalities.
The boat leaks all over the place, has no comfort next to bunks to sleep in,
indoor space is limited to supply outdoor racing area. Cooking has been
limited by a faulty gas connection and now we are missing a toilet door. Not
really what you would put in a brouchure on atlantic crossings. Luckily we
had no major breakdowns of critical stuff so far...knocking wood now!
Although it is sort of hardcore sailing due to the boat, the weather and the
distance (!), I have full faith in this lady and the guys driving her. The
weather looks promising although it will never be a walk in the park. In the
end...it is a endurance challenge I have never faced before...to summarize
it: it has been amazing, fantastic but I will be happy to be on land
somewhere end of this week (hopefully before friday morning so I can catch a
plane to Stockholm)
So, no worries. we are doing great. I was not drunk, not forced into it and
i have not lost my judgement ;-)
Going to sleep now, cheers,
Roy
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