Slowing Down
Where Next?
Bob Williams
Thu 3 Jul 2014 01:50
Course: East nor' east Speed 2-4 knots
Wind: North nor' east F1-3 light air to gentle breeze
Sea: slight Swell: East 1.5 m
Weather: overcast, cool
Day's run: 62 nm (82 miles sailed)
We would appear to have evaded the low pressure system, or it might be more
accurate to say that the low pressure system missed us, for Sylph does not
really have the speed to evade anything. The wind has backed around into the
north but has been light and fitful since dusk last. We tacked at 2100, as
by that stage we were heading more towards Siberia than the Aleutians, but
by midnight the wind had returned into the east which had us heading back
towards the equator, so we tacked back onto starboard. At 0200 this morning
the wind backed once more into the north turning Sylph's bow to Siberia
again, so I tacked onto port once more where we have remained since, now
pretty much heading in the right direction for the near islands of the
Aleutians.
The shift in wind direction has also been accompanied by a less stable air
flow, meaning the wind strength is up and down between a light air to, at
times, a good breeze that has Sylph leaning over and rushing forward, bows
gurgling, for a short burst before the wind drops off again, leaving her
pitching jerkily into the swell. With luck the forecast will prove correct,
the wind will continue to back into the west and freshen and we will start
making some decent miles again. It is now 380 miles to Attu Island. With a
fair breeze we should be there in less than four days.
All is well.