Day Nineteen - More Light Winds

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Sat 1 Jan 2022 23:42
Noon Position: 46 49.7 S 178 52.1 E
Course: E Speed: 5 knots
Wind: N, F4 Sea: slight
Swell: WSW, 2 meters
Weather: sunny, mild
Day's Run: 106 nm

Despite making ground to the south yesterday afternoon , the winds fell light again overnight (though it must be admitted that there is no way Sylph can move fast enough to make much difference to the daily weather patterns she experiences). At 2200 I dropped the mainsail to stop the hard slatting as Sylph rolled to the ever-present SW swell. However, there was enough wind to keep the headsail filling most of the time so I left the jib up and hoisted the staysail sheeted in firmly to add as much sail as I could but set so that it would not chafe excessively when back-winded as Sylph rolled on the front of the swells.
At 0655 the wind had swung 180 degrees into the North which required a gybe, but it had also freshened enough to allow the main to be set again. It was a tiresome night with Sylph rolling and the sheet blocks clattering each time the sails filled then spilled their wind with almost every roll, but now we have a pleasant force three breeze, touching four, keeping Sylph's sails full as she heels smooth and steady under their pressure.
The sun is shining.

All is well.