Another Party

Pemandia
Peter Fabricius
Wed 25 May 2016 07:36
37:35.8N 23:49.1W

Invitations to parties are usually welcome and so often the party sounds interesting. This one just said "Deck Party at midnight, dress casual, no waterproofs" it sounded like a happy end of cruise event - romantic music and coloured lights on the quarter deck, that sort of thing.

I'd not long finished last nights blog and violent thrashing started. The jib furling line had parted and the whole sail had unfurled. First I tried to heave to but with full Genoa and tiny reefed main she would not stay. I was certainly not going to start the engine with the potential for lines near the prop....

So, running down wind, with frequent gibes which did no harm with the well reefed main, I took a line forward and secured it around the furling line with a rolling hitch. Then, after returning to the cockpit to ease the tail of the furling line I joined the ends with a knot.of course the knot would not pass through the blocks between foredeck and cockpit, so back to cockpit to completely free the curler and remove it from all the blocks - except one that I did not see in the dark. Still that allowed me to get several rolls in the genoa before repeating the whole operation.

Of course the invitation said no waterproofs and I did not have time anyway. I did get my deck jacket on and of course lifejacket and harness with a double safety line. One of the is very short so I was not going anywhere unsavoury (by which of course I mean savoury, ie salty). Nevertheless I was a bit battered against shrouds and safety fence and have been quite uncomfortable since.

After checking all lines were accounted for, I started the engine and motor sailed slowly overnight. T

This morning I have better secured the genoa (wearing waterproofs this time). You can imagine the description of the inside of my mouth after these outings but I've had my usual two cups of tea and am now motorsailing as fast as I dare in these conditions. 61 to May waypoint and about 87 to Pta Delgada. Barometer dropped 4mB and wind F7.

It has to end at some stage!!

Peter

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