The Dawn Watch
Rich's 2025 World ARC PatBon Blog
Richard Hurd
Wed 29 Nov 2023 14:15
0835GMT Wednesday 29th November ‘23
It really is the most magical of moments when the sun finally peeks above the horizon. We’ve had the most magnificent moon these last few days and this morning we were still bathed in the moonlight when I turned round to see the sky lightening behind us, in the east. There were some silvery clouds illuminated by the moonlight, but soon they became backlit and silhouetted by the growing light from behind them. Then the fiery ball appears and grows and grows as it rises over the horizon and the silvery moonlight is dissipated by the orange, then yellows of the sun.
I know this is seen the world over, every day, apart from the polar regions at times, but sat alone in a small yacht in the middle of an ocean, it is simply wondrous!
We had another night with little wind so at dusk we decided to drop the sails and get the engine going. The sails were just flogging as RB rolled around in the Atlantic swell and we were down to 3kts at best. So donk on and speed went up to 7kts, but we are heading a little south of the rhumb line, something I’ve advocated for days. There is an area of very light winds further north which could move south and cause us to sail into a wind hole. It’s not forecast to, but all the weather and wind prediction Apps are at odds with each other, so for me it’s not worth taking the risk. Yes it’s a bit further to sail distance-wise, but hopefully we’ll keep stronger winds.
In using the engine, our fuel situation is now becoming a concern. We use diesel to charge our batteries on board, with with the generator or the main engine, so we do need to keep a close eye on how much we have left, to either get us out of trouble or make electricity. It’s getting to a point where we simply can’t use the engine for propulsion any more, so if the wind dies, then so does our speed! Another good reason to keep well south and hope the winds remain stronger there.
However I’m pleased to say that this morning, DB and I have pushed to get max sail up and we’re now sailing at 7+kts with the big gennaker and the poled-out Genoa to windward. Going really well and able to sail dead downwind too. So, we’re doing OK at present, but just hope those wind gods keep puffing to keep the wind up at 14 to 16kts.
The 1st yachts are starting to finish in Grenada now. Seeing photos of them with their loved ones clasping an ice cold rum punch in their hands just makes the agony worse for me being away from Paula. I know she is willing us onwards and we are doing all we can to keep the speed up.
Malc & Jac asked me an interesting question earlier today while I was on the dawn watch: out of my 2 ARC crossings, which did I prefer? Not an easy straight answer. My 1st on Fireball was a last minute rescue to keep my dream alive of doing the ARC. The skipper was crazy/abusive and Fireball really was not in good shape - no engine and hence no power for nav systems, lights, fridge etc, damaged rig and leaking. But, we pushed that yacht beyond anything I’ve done before and the NE tradewinds during that crossing were fab - a steady 18 to 25kts for much of the time. That was exhilarating and I have some amazing sailing memories from that trip. This crossing, Risque Business is a cruising yacht and we are not in the race catagory, so we are taking a bit more care and less risks with the old lady. The wind has been crap - can’t lie about that, with Easterly winds around 8 to 13kts, so it has been slow. It’s been made worse as RB is an older and much heavier yacht than many others, so we need more puff to get us going! However the crew are all old friends and we all get on well, so the camaraderie and enjoyment is soooo much better. So in answer to Malc & Jac’s question: bits of both trips and a cocktail of the best of each would be one fantastic trip. Maybe next time - 🫣 sorry Paula😵💫
One thing I do know, when we arrive in Grenada, all 5 of us and the 6th who is waiting in Grenada to take our lines when we dock, will all be drinking beer and rum in the same bar….. that didn’t happen with the Fireball crew!
So on we go and as I finish this missive at 1406 GMT, we’ve got 710nm still to do before the ice cold rum punch and beers can be downed and we can get those amazing hugs from our loved ones. Can’t wait xx
