To Gib Day 3

Spindrift
David Hersey
Tue 6 Jul 2010 15:21

37:08.953 N  15:12.209 W

 

05/07/10

15:30

Wind is currently NE Force 7.  Were making a little around 6 ½ to 7 knots with the staysail and reefed main.  It would be much better if the wind went North and we could sail  more freely.  Its hard to reconcile having so much wind and so little boat speed., however it is what it is and it’s certainly a huge contrast to the Nantucket Horta leg.

There a bit of afternoon sun and the sea is fairly lively.  And the DC generator is working again.

 

06/07/10

05:00

We reached the half way mark about midnight.

Wind is currently NNE Force 7. This allows us to make a direct course without slipping anymore South and without pointing quite so high.  Let’s hope it lasts. The sea state which has been 2-3 metre waves feels a little calmer.   We not smashing into it quite as much as we were. Maybe not. we just hit a wave as I type.

Some cloud, some stars and the half moon is smiling down upon us.

We’re picking up a lot of fishing boat chatter on the VHF but no one is near us.

 

11:00

NNE  30 knots has held.  It’s a very welcome very clear blue sky. We’re sailing a little more freely  now and are have replaced the  Staysail with the furled Yankee.  Yesterday’s run was only 158 miles but if the wind holds we should do better today as we’re not pointing so high.

485 miles to go. Current ETA looking good for Friday AM but it’s too early to say for sure.