Position:   20:29.51N      64:50.78W

9.00am (Eastern Time), 16th April 2014

 

Yesterday was a great first day’s sail! The sun shone all day, the sea swell was minimal (<1 m), the wind came from the east virtually the whole time and pretty well stayed around the mid teens the whole day and night. We even had a full moon all night that seemed to start at 8pm and lingered until 4am. Just perfect!

Les tells us that beautifully lit up cruise ship crossed our path last night during her watch – that seems to be the only ‘action’ of the evening.

 

Almost since leaving the coastline of Jost Van Dyke we have been tagged by a 60 foot sailboat (longer than us) 6 miles to our stern. We have been sailing at about the same speed (not that it is a race..). He has been slowly gaining on us (not that it is a race..). Finally last night he so very slowly passed us gaining at 1/4 knot (not that it is a race..).

He has been running with a full mainsail and a full genoa.

We have been running with a full mainsail and a full jib (a smaller sail).

..not that it is a race

 

We have been determined not to put the genoa up just in case the expected gusts of mid twenty force winds hits us – we always take the view that we would rather get ‘there’, slower than damage a sail enroute.

My expected gusts have never materialized and the wind has just dropped to 10 knots so we have had to pop the large genoa sail up for awhile. This has increased our speed by at least 2 1/2 knots.

..hmmm? Where is our friend?

..not that it is a race

 

 

Les spent the day before setting off in the galley.

She has prepared more of her famous stews, casseroles and wot-nots.
(What is the difference between a casserole and a stew?)

We tried the first one last night – hmmmm

 

Bob put the fishing lines out a few minutes ago so we can eat tonight  

I have set myself a goal during this trip. I am going to wean Bob OFF of instant coffee (ugh! How dare it be called coffee!) – and get him on to real coffee! This is almost as awful as drinking cold beer!

 

..more tomorrow