18 30N 035W At Sea - Day 11

Pipedream
Sat 4 Feb 2012 14:33
Too much not enough... Very light winds today only able to make maybe 3 kts. The Grib (computerized weather) says the wind should start to build back up this evening or tomorrow.

Last night before dark we were looking at the bands of clouds surrounding us. Last night we pretty much lost our wind and were clocked around in circles when I came up on deck to give John a hand. John and I struggled to re-adjust the sails and managed to destroy an expensive snap shackle in the process. We finally got the boat sailing again when it started to rain hard. Shower time. Both Matt and John had taken advantage of a squall yesterday afternoon to take showers on deck. After finally getting over my sore throat I didn't want to risk a relapse.

We should be approaching the half way point. As the fresh food runs out we will likely be fishing in earnest from here on out. We have over half our fresh water and fuel left. Our fresh water supply was dropping rather fast so we are now washing dishes in salt water. The motion on the boat was much better starting yesterday. George was able to make repairs to the batten slide on the mast.

Last night as Matt and I sat through squall after squall a flying fish dropped into the cockpit just to say hello. Matt picked him up by the wings and tossed him back over the side. He was one fishy smelling fish. We saw our first ship yesterday in maybe four days and he was way out on the horizon. George is now sleeping on his back out in the main cabin and reports he feels fine. Waiting on wind... Bob the weather guy told us to go further south to avoid this... but we are enjoying a day of R&R after the sustained pounding we have been taking. As long as it only last one day. All is well... more later.