Day 153 - Caribbean Passage - Day 27

Silk Sheets
Ben Shute & Fiona Kennelly
Mon 22 Dec 2008 20:06

Midnight we had made it as far as 17:11.68N 60:03.70W – Monday 22nd of December, 2008.

 

Engine Time – 0 Hours

 

We are about 150 miles away from land and it is touch and go at the moment as to whether we will make it tomorrow in the daylight or whether we will be coming in at night. The last thing I want to do is a night entry into an unknown bit of water, especially as the harbor is very shallow and surrounded by reef.

 

We are currently running down wind pretty much on a dead run which is very uncomfortable due to the rhythmic rolling but I do not want to give a foot of ocean away to the wind so we hang on and go for the ride instead.

 

The feeling of making land tomorrow is a strange one.  I was sort of expecting to have this amazing feeling of accomplishment but I can not feel it yet. I guess after the high Fi and I experienced making it from Gibraltar to the Canaries was the turning point for the two of us.  After that week at sea and running down wind with as much sail as Silky could hold in a gale solidified the fact that the two of us were ready to tackle any cruising weather. Now I guess it is just a case of finishing off the run. I will have to wait and see. 

 

Well apart from fresh seared tuna for breakfast lunch and dinner that was about it for today. I feel so spoilt.

 

Special comments by Fiona: Land is only a day away!  Woo-hoo!  I am growing incredibly impatient and the hours seem to drag.  I try reading yet another book for distraction but all I can think about is dropping anchor and arriving safely.

The wind has been amazing in the past few days, blowing us along at a rapid pace.  It is slightly uncomfortable with the rolling and bashing around in the cabin but I’m used to it now.

 

Day 153

Traveling Direction – West

Wind Direction – North North East – Strong

Swell – Getting Bigger, lumpier and waves are now crashing right over our deck.

Average Speed –  5.3

Top Speed – ?

Distance Covered – 127.2 Nautical Miles