A New Day

Christine's Atlantic Circuit
Peter Lansdale
Tue 15 May 2018 12:10
37:10.5N 053:49.9W
 
A new day but a grey sea with continuous cloud this morning. Having moved a long way north since we left Puerto Rico the world seems to be a different place. Very much cooler, with frequent grey seas and a lot more cloud.
 
Yesterday and over night presented very exciting times. We had a play with the parasailor and despite an apparent wind of only about 10 knots we were really zooming along. We carried it for a few hours but really the sea was a little too rough and we were doubting whether 'Helga' the hydrovane would continue to cope with the steering. As you can gather none of us spends much time steering, or is that sailing, the boat. She just gets on and does it herself.
 
We do have to change the sails now and again. After the parasailor was put away we were back to the 2 genoas, wing on wing. With the wind gradually increasing we were making good progress. Speeds creeping up, 7, 8 and even 9 knots. During my night watch it was time to roll the large genoa as we were consistently doing 9.5 knots and above. So being largely out of control I reduced sail to the small genoa only and progress was much calmer. Altogther more appropriate for a cruising boat in mid Atlantic.
 
This morning progress is more sedate steady 6 to 7 knots.
Yesterday with a blue sky.