Day 6
Pemandia
Peter Fabricius
Fri 20 May 2016 07:30
Good morning all!
I have just tacked West. There was no obvious right time to do this, but I have to get out W at some time and this morning the wind seemed to back a smidgeon so I can now sail on port tack without heading North of West. It is obviously rather demoralising to do that.... In fact I did tack in the night but the wind immediately veered so that I was heading almost WNW so I tacked back again.
No doubt all the nocturnal activity contributed to a slow start today. I did not emerge from my bunk until 0700 and even then rather reluctantly - a quick check of the cockpit and instruments, kettle on and first cup of tea so it was past 0730 before I was dressed.
It is quite strange being on the other tack after several days. Things have settled in different places and I get comfortable sitting or lying differently etc. I have left the mainsail reefed. Although not absolutely necessary with about 18 knots of apparent wind, it periodically rises above that and with a reefed sail we are more upright, generally more comfortable and I doubt if we are any slower.
The straight figures suggest we are comfortably more than half way with 636 miles sailed and 535 to go. However the head wind and need to tack adds quite a bit so I have not been celebrating!
Peter
Sent from Yacht Pemandia