ARC Day 4
Starcross Fair Log
Ross Wilson
Wed 24 Nov 2010 20:07
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Wednesday 24/11/10
Midday position 21:44.4N 17:38.6W
Noon - noon run: 134 NM
Plan + 24Hrs: to head for north of Cape Verde
Islands, 450 NM
Today was Will's 36th Birthday, celebrated with
balloons, cake and candles (1 = 9 years!), and a superb supper of chicken
fajitas and guacamole (fresh avocados from Gran Canaria) lubricated
with Pimms and lemonade. Taken al fresco, a magnificent
sunset ended a day of light winds on a flat sea.
Our strategy of following the 200 metre contour
south along the African coast appears to have paid off as we have not
experienced the calms which has frustrated many of our colleagues, although
our speed did briefly drop to 3 knots mid morning. Indeed several have
resorted to the iron spinnaker which will incur a time correction on arrival in
St Lucia. We hope to complete the passage without use of engine for
proppulsion or battery charging. For the latter Tom the DG (DuoGen - a
water driven generator which can also be converted to wind driven mounted
on Starcross' stern) is proving to be rather a star; at 6 knots boat speed he
keeps our batteries charged. Having tacked at 1630, a novel exerience for
the trip, we are now heading towards the north of the Cape Verde Islands, 450
miles to the south west, where we hope to pick up the Trades by Monday after 2
deep lows have passed to the north.
Inspired by the success of other yachts, we have
attempted some fishing. Despite the obvious presence of a wealth of sea
life (eg dolphins, turtles, an unidentified fin) we have had no success and
managed only to lose one lure, a point score of -20 on the ARC calculator!
Perhaps we will have better luck tomorrow?
We hope to upload some photos today. Many
thanks for your encouraging and informative emails, gratefully received.
Ross, Al, Al, Paul, Will
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