In the Trades - 20:01.5N 29:17.5W
syladyshamrock
dmccarthy
Tue 8 Feb 2011 21:12
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From: syladyshamrock
Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2011 3:25 PM
Subject: In the Trades - 20:01.5N 29:17.5W I am now in the trade
winds. Characterised by the cumulous clouds and the consistent
north-easterly 15-20 knot winds. My bearing to Antigua is 270 deg true but
sailing this angle with my double headsail is not possible at the moment.
This is not a problem though, I know that the wind will veer on my track
east and I wish to sail around this weather system and not take a short cut
through it. For now I will proceed on a 250 deg true course which is
easier for the vane steering to maintain and more comfortable for
me.
The weather is
fantastic, this morning was a bit too sunny to be sitting out in so I stayed in
the cabin with a cool breeze running through the boat. Life on-board is
getting easier, Iâm not sure if this is due to the more stable weather, the
better sail combination or just finding my sea legs again. Where last week
I had bashed and bruised knees, hips and an ass this week I have no aliments and
am thoroughly enjoying the experience.
Night watches are
easier too, I donât know which I prefer most now, the starry nights or the sunny
days. Last night after not sleeping during the day I stayed up until 0600
listening to a book on my mp3 palyer and watching the squall clouds bearing down
on me. I have got a little less anal about keeping a strict sleeping
routine. I donât think that it makes âsafetyâ sense to be wrecked tired
from lack of sleep when, to date, I have only passed one other vessel.
Instead I am happy to let the AIS and the radar detector do their jobs and
typically get about two or sometimes three hours at dawn.
Opps, I spoke too
soon. I canât even get to 250 deg, time to get the double headsails down
and a single back up.
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