Day 70 – Fresh SE’lies

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Mon 21 Feb 2022 14:52
Noon Position: 44 43.8 S 034 13.3 W
Course: E Speed: 5 knots
Wind: S, F5 Sea: moderate
Swell: SW 3 meters
Weather: cloudy, mild
Day’s Run: 136nm (88nm of easting)

The S’ly arrived pretty much on schedule. Initially from the SE, as it freshened to force 5 it has pushed us back north. As mentioned yesterday, being pushed north a bit is fine as I am hoping for more moderate winds in the slightly lower latitude. Also, according to Wayne’s forecast the wind is supposed to be veering into the SW later today, putting the wind abaft the beam and making for a more comfortable ride. Indeed, it has started to veer a little in the last hour so, while we have not been able to ease sheets yet, we are now making good a more E’ly heading.
While the winds over the previous two days were very much on the light side making for slow progress, it was nice to be able to dry out and not have to climb into foul weather gear every time I ventured on deck. The fair weather allowed me to attend to quite few little chores. I have made some adjustments to the lazy jacks so hopefully they will be less inclined to foul on the mainsail battens when I set it. I have put some silicone around the cable gland that had been leaking in heavy weather. I have stowed the series drogue back in the aft cockpit locker to prevent it suffering UV damage out in the weather. I ran the engine for an hour (after six days lying idle it took a while to start). And I fixed a leaking seal in the anchor winch which was allowing oil to seep out onto the deck and create a potential slip hazard on the foredeck.
But now we are back to a bouncy ride with spray drenched decks.
All is well.