Day 15 Position 14:43.33N 45:50.92W
Symatchmaker
Sun 7 Dec 2008 12:00
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We are a little frustrated with the Trade Winds are
normally known for their regularity in the direction and force in which they
blow. They are caused by the action of the Sun near to the Equator heating
the atmosphere and causing it to rise the heavier air to the North and to the
South then rush in to fill the vacuum - (of lower pressure) The revolution of the earth and its curvature then
causes these winds to be deflected (coriolis force) - so to the north of the
Equator they become NE Trades and to the South of the equator SE trades - whilst
at the equator these forces are neutralised and become an area of no wind -
the Doldrums.
This year the Trades in the North
Atlantic have not established themselves and we have experienced several
tropical waves - which are small areas of Low pressure that disrupt the normal
weather pattern. They have light and variable winds and are very hot and humid.
Hence the slow progress of the 2008 ARC Fleet.
The current forecast is that our winds will pickup
as we continue to head westward - at the moment we have ENE 6 knots and have
been motoring since dawn. Yesterday we had light NW winds and for several hours
we were sailing upwind! The evening was a lovely beam reach and we sailed at 8
knots in 10 knots of apparent wind on a flat sea.
Life on Board Matchmaker is relaxed and now falling
into a happy routine.
The Watch rota system - 4hrs on 4hrs off at
night and 5hrs on and 5hrs off in daylight enables the crew sufficient
relaxation and sleep whilst also caring for the boat and keeping up sail trim.
One person changes Watch every 2hrs so everyone gets variety and gets time with
different people. The 5th Person is mother for the Day - (and this rotates
every day) - Mother is responsible for cooking and cleaning - ( and as reward
gets an uninterupted full nights sleep.)
We have started fishing again today - and hope to
supplement our diet with some fresh fish - ( we are counting on Calum to work
his skills! )
We have position reports of other vessels and it
appears that there are lots of other boats with a 200 mile radius - but we
cannot see anyone - the horizon is unbroken. We
have crossed the 45 degree West longitude and changed the ships clock again - so
we are now 3 hrs behind London. ( 1 hour to go! )
The Days run was 172 Miles and mostly direct to our
Waypoint which is now 877nm due West.
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