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