The Plan

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Sat 11 Sep 2010 23:48

Position: 40 53.0 S 074 46.5 W
Course: North Speed: 6 knots
Wind: West, F5, moderate breeze
Weather: Cloud clearing, cool
Day’s Run: 82 miles

So far the plan is working. Last night we continued to punch into the headwind opening the coast to be well away from shipping and other hazards and to be in a good position to take full advantage of the more favourable winds once the front had passed through. This ended up putting us some 30 miles off the coast without making too much distance in the desired direction. In fact for much of last night we were little better than heaved to with just the mainsail up with three reefs in it. We jogged along comfortably enough biding our time.

And this afternoon the front passed through, the sun shone for a while and the winds eased, I shook out a reef from the mainsail and set some jib but with the barometer stuck at 1013mb and fresh winds still expected behind the front I decided to wait awhile before setting any more. I then had a little rest. An hour later I was awoken by the Sylph gathering life once more with sails drawing to a strengthening nor’ westerly. This has continued to back around into the west, we have eased sheets and are now romping along at 6 - 7 knots on a beam reach (romping for old Sylph that is). I expect over the next 24 hours the wind to further back into the south so with luck things should get a bit more comfortable as we make ground to the north.

All is well.

Bob Cat:

Things had better get a bit more comfortable. I am holed up under the rug on the starboard settee, helping to keep the skipper warm - I do wish he wouldn’t be up and down so much. Everything else is on hold, no food for 24 hours now, just too boisterous, the bano del gato is impossible. Just holding on. Conserve strength … zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz