On Passage

Pyxis
Karen & Richard
Sat 20 Sep 2008 21:55

Saturday 20th September – On Passage

39:38.118N 5:42.000E

 

This morning we got up and checked the weather forecast; the high winds of yesterday had abated enough and so we decided to leave Mahón for pastures new.  We tidied around and put the dinghy on the foredeck and left our mooring around 11.30am.

 

As we came out of the harbour the wind increased to the top of a F5 and we had a cracking sail all day with the wind on the beam.  Unfortunately there was quite a bit of swell, about 2-3 metres, also on the beam but Pyxis remained remarkably steady – I even managed to cook dinner.  We were able to sail at around 6-6.5 knots much of the time, managing 7 in the gusts.

 

Late in the evening, the wind and swell finally eased and we were able to shake some reefs out.

 

Now, out here at 2330, the engine is going on.

 

This is not too disappointing as we have had an energetic day and we hope that by motoring over night we can at least have a rest (and we can charge the batteries of course).

 

We are sailing with Cape and we keep in radio contact every few hours to check that each is OK.