Position 14:38.44N 039:19.80W

 

Log entry 21.00 08/12/2013 – “Boring”

 

We motored from midday yesterday until 10.00 today, with wind varying from 0 knots to 7  knots, with direction varying but generally behind.  In fairness this was in line with predictions, and we expected to keep motoring until possibly early evening, but  the wind filled in from the beam and within an hour we were reaching at 7 knots;  the wind strength and direction have continued through the day, being consistently higher than the forecasts.  An approaching squall with winds increasing caused us to put two reefs in the main, but nothing stronger than 20 knots materialised, and after it passed we shook out one and then both reefs.

 

During the day we were gradually overtaken by a catamaran, which eventually passed to leeward of us, no more than 50 metres away.  Waves were exchanged and photographs taken, and then via VHF email addresses were exchanged so that the photos could be sent on.  The boat was French, a Lagoon 450 on passage to Guadeloupe / Martinique, and Nadine’s French was put into practice to exchange pleasantries.

 

To help relieve the boredom the crew have stated to follow a rigorous exercise regime (not James – he is much too old for such things and there is no  defibrillator on board), the outcome of which seems to be much laughter.

 

With so much motoring the watermaker has not been able to be used (really must get the boat hauled out to give a dedicated inlet scoop), but the temptation of hot water proved too much for all the crew who showered and generally cleaned up.  Result – sweet smelling crew and aft water tank empty. This suggests we have been using about 12 litres per person per day, significantly more than forecast.  So the forward water tank has been switched in (the intention was to keep this as a reserve in case the watermaker accidentally polluted the aft tank, but we have so much bottled water on board that James had no qualms in bringing the reserve on stream)  However todays winds allowed us to run the watermaker for 7 hours and the aft tank is now half full again.  And looking at the weather forecast we should have ample opportunity for watermaking, and no need for the engine;  we also think our spinnaker sailing has probably finished, and we will be in for some strong winds back to port, particularly if the grib files have continued their tendency  to underestimate the wind.