Day 176 – Jogging Along

Where Next?
Bob Williams
Tue 7 Jun 2022 07:02
Noon Position: 37 31.3 S 095 03.1 E
Course: NE Speed: 3 knots
Wind: SE Force 4
Sea: moderate Swell: SW 2m / SE 2 m
Weather: overcast, cool
Day’s Run: 47 nm

We have gotten through the night all in one piece.
The forecast was for the wind to freshen during the night and at sunset I reduced sail down to three reefs in the main. The forecast proved accurate and by midnight we had force seven winds howling through the rigging. However, under minimal canvas Sylph for the most part jogged along, holding her bow into the wind and waves, at a relatively comfortable 1.5 to 2 knots. Waves would frequently smash into her side causing her to shake and shudder, and on occasions she would fall off a wave as it passed under her onto her leeward side with more noise and shuddering. I lay in my bunk wedged into the lee cloth, warm and snug, trying to think positive thoughts about how solid old Sylph is. For it is at times like these that my thoughts inevitably turn to the quality of all the welding I did during Sylph’s last refit, trusting that there are no serious flaws that are going to allow cracks to develop. I check the bilge regularly, which is normal procedure in any vessel, and thus far have only found a small amount of water which I think is still trickling in from the rudder post bearing despite a thorough greasing, something I shall have to attend to during Sylph’s next haul out.
This forenoon the wind eased to force four and we are now sailing under double-reefed main and 50% jib. We could put more sail up but the waves are still pretty lumpy and the wind is from ahead so going any faster will only cause more discomfort for not a lot of gain in speed. We will set a bit more sail once the seas have died down a bit.
The wind is expected to go into the east later this afternoon at which time we will tack and hopefully make good a course of south, continuing our search for a fair breeze.
All is well.