Wed 23/11/11 - 2 Steps Forward/ 1 Back!
Wed
23/11/11 - 2 Steps Forward/ 1 Back
– 25:08.3N 020:25.3W This
was the day when we all said we had begun to feel comfortable, settled in, more
rested (but “not sleep as we know it, Spock”). Things were looking up, apart
from the wind.... Our weather man pointed out that we were still in the wind
shadow of Tenerife, which extends a very long way south of the island, but that
is not much comfort when we are rolling around with sails slatting and making
2-3 knots over the ground. We have been a bit disadvantaged by setting off a day
later than the fleet, since they have had somewhat better weather that we missed
(apart from the rollicking 2 hours on Sunday that we regretted when we had to
turn back). The weather systems are not helping us now, and we are being forced
to work our way south and west slowly. The
twin genoa rig was still working brilliantly, though it does encourage a bit of
rolling, until we had a small set back. We were doing some deck work to change
things around, and switching sheets and preventer lines when one of the
foresails backed – unfortunately at the same time as the spinnaker pole up haul
was a bit slack, so that the pole end dipped into the sea. The laws of physics
prevailed, and the inboard pole joint broke (probably as it is meant to, to
avoid worse complications). This reduces us to a single spinnaker pole (though
most yachts carry only one), and makes the twin rig harder to set up. Bob,
however, has a cunning plan that does not involve turnips..... We will have a
look at it tomorrow! We also have the Parasailor, which used to be our favourite
sail..... We
were overtaken by another late ARC starter in the night. He was, however,
motoring which we see as cheating until we have to do it ourselves! There is
still a bit of big boat traffic around, so night watches need to remain
vigilant. The stars, however, are endlessly beautiful, without light pollution
to dim them. Just a shame that clear skies are not what we want for good sailing
weather! Our
meteorologist pal, Chris Tibbs, keeps telling us to get south and west to a
waypoint in the middle of the ocean that he says he “likes for us” to get us
into the trade winds proper. It is a great idea, and we agree, but unless Spock
and Scotty are going to give us a hand, it will be a long time coming in winds
less than 10 knots. Fingers
crossed for better winds Thursday, Watergaw |