Black Brows

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Wed 9 Nov 2016 01:46

Noon Position: 37 55.3 S 148 46.1 E
Course: West Sou’ West Speed: 4 knots
Wind: South East, F3 – gentle breeze
Sea: slight Swell: South, 1 meter
Weather: overcast, mild
Day’s Run: 41 nm sailed, 15 nm made good

It has been another 24 hours of light, fickle airs and calms. We sailed when we could, motored for as long as I could stand (generally not very long) and drifted for the rest. While we were drifting I worked out that the current is set against us at close to a knot, which would go a long way to explaining why poor old Sylph’s tacking angle has been so atrocious, though of course the lumpy seas have not helped.

Dawn saw us drifting in the company of a couple of black-browed albatross, like Sylph unable to get airborne without a bit of wind, and, like Sylph’s skipper, they glowered darkly.

Later, come mid forenoon, a light breeze sprung up from the south east and, while the south west swell had not diminished significantly, the seas had abated, which meant I could set the drifter and allow Sylph to at least drift in roughly make the right direction.

And now, just a few moments ago, the wind has picked up a little more. Now the mainsail is set and we are beam reaching at a morale boosting four knots. The albatross are soaring and the skipper’s brow has brightened.

All is well.