Light Winds, Smooth Swell
Noon Position: 38 38.8 S 141 57.6
E As forecast, the wind remained light over the last 24 hours and we have only made good a day's run of 82 miles. On the plus side we have managed to keep moving in the right direction, all under sail, with which I am well pleased. This morning, shortly after sunrise, we were overtaken by another yacht, Bacardi, under motor. At this stage the breeze was very light. We had the full main up, the jib poled out to starboard, and the code zero set to port, trying to capture every ounce of breeze that was available. Seeing Bacardi overtake us, I was sorely tempted to resort to the BRM for a while, but when I went aft to disconnect the wind vane the sight of Sylph's clean wake streaming quietly astern made be decide otherwise. How could we motor when Sylph was sailing so nicely, even if she was only doing two knots and her mainsail complained intermittently with its slatting back and forth as she rolled to the now settled long smooth swell passing under her. The breeze is picking up a little, the sails are full, I have handed the code zero, and we are making good 4 ½ knots. The forecast is for the wind to freshen this afternoon and back into the SW and S overnight, so I expect our ETA at Port Phillip heads will remain late tomorrow evening. We crossed the SA/Victorian border last night. Ship's clocks have been advanced 30 minutes to Victorian daylight saving time. All is well. |