Fw: Blog from Sadko, Sun June 0700

Sadko
Martin Lamport
Sun 10 Jun 2012 11:33
Position: 29deg22minN, 56deg54minW.
 
The Atlantic showed us what it was capable of yesterday. It was cloudy all day and the southerly wind steadily increased to around 20Kts, gusting up to 30.  Under reefed main and inner jib these conditions really suit Sadko and she galloped along like a thoroughbred.   But the increasing wind brought big seas and she needed steering like a power boat, weaving through 3 meter swells coming up abeam.  In the afternoon the wind got really stupid, backing west and gusting as high as 40 kts, with more torrential rain.  Lou recorded a top boat speed of around 11 kts, which is too fast for comfort.  I decided to take down the main altogether, a ticklish job under the circs and we continued at 4-5 Kts under part reefed jib.  But the wind then backed further to the north and got up a really lumpy sea, blowing in opposition to the prevailing swell.  In the end we had to motor to maintain steerage way.
But by midnight conditions had settled down and I decided to reset the sails.  Our reward was a wonderful gentle reach, this time on the port tack, straight up the beams of a rising moon with some broken cloud and the sea settling down.  This morning the north easterly continues about 15-20 kts and we are racing along into the sunrise of what promises to be afine day's sailing.  Everyone is fine, Lou on helm and Paul and Hugo sleeing off their night watches. Nobody has contibuted their dinner to Davy Jones yet, despite the rough seas.
Signing off
Martin