AT sea to F Lauderdale Day 3 at sea
Shelena
Phil Scourfield
Mon 23 May 2016 11:26
3rd May, 2016
We are in day 3 of our passage from the DR to F Lauderdale. We have now had
our main engine running for nearly two days continually save for a couple of
short one hour stops. There is simply no wind. Our instruments show 2-5
knots which is not enough wind to blow out a match still less move 30 tons
of yacht through the water. Our progress is also slow because we have a
dirty bottom. That is to say Shelena has picked up all manner of growth and
barnacles on her hull which slows the yacht by as much as 2 knots. The
lesson learned is not to set too on a long passage without cleaning her.
Accordingly, we shall lift out of the water upon arrival at F. Lauderdale to
get the cleaning done and apply new anti-foul paint, an annual requirement.
So how are we doing. Just two persons? Have it in mind that a watch is
required 24 hours per day then how do we do that? Well actually, it has
worked incredibly well. I sleep when I need to and Helen stays awake. Simple
really! As Helen remarked this morning, without a hint of sarcasm that I
could detect, "we don't want the skipper tired do we"? Over the years we
have come to know that I need more sleep than she does. 8 hours per 24 is
about right for me. As one is growing up the body needs sleep to regenerate
cells and stuff! That is my sense of why sleep is prolonged for me. Helen
on the other hand, with 3 children, is used to fitful sleep and seems to
operate remarkably well on 4 or 5 hours sleep. And so it is we snooze during
the daytime. We have dinner before sunset. I have a nap to digest dinner
thereafter I take my watch from about 2200 to 0330 while Helen sleeps. She
then takes over at 0330 and I sleep from 0330 to about 0930. By the time I
stir H has had her breakfast. After I'm done too we do some chores. Clean
something, inspect the yacht for signs of loose bolts to the rigging and for
chafe. That done and its snooze for Helen while I busy myself on the radio
or checking on the weather. All very relaxing. Especially, on these calm
seas. Bye for now.
All is well on Shelena.