ARC crossing - managing the forces of nature
Regina
Espen Aalstad
Sun 16 Dec 2007 14:39
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We knew the crossing would also be a battle of
natural forces - and was careful from the start to respect the wind especially.
Since we also had it largely from behind it is easy to underestimate the powers.
Already over the first day, we heard of people ripping sails and even turning
back as they perhaps had underestimated the power of the Atlantic.
We were all proud to get the Parasailor up
on day 3 - also as our spinnaker pole was new and so was the
sail.
It did not gain us as much speed as we wanted
though, but looked beautiful. The next day, in less stable wind, it
was not fun anymore with the (expensive) sail around the forestay. Yet, we got
it out by turning the boat around in circles.
  It was more dramatic though when the
spinnaker boom broke in a larger wave on day 4 - and concerning.
With 13 more days to go, we really depend on riding on the surf of the trade
wind to go wing on wing (spre) with our genoa. Luckily nobody was upfront and
the weather was good to save it. There must have been weakness in the
material!
The creative forces on board was more powerful than
those of nature. Luckily we had extra hose clams around our heating systems (who
needs it in the Caribbean) and we could tape and screw the fitting on again.
   A day of repairs and it was up. Jippie! But an
almost broach (rudder out of the water in a wave) the boom broke again! Yet,
since then we were lucky and even pressure has held it together...even if we
have often held our breath. No more spinnaker though and we had lost quite some
time - even detoured as the GPS showed us.
 Perhaps we were lucky
still!
The stories and accidents with the spinnakers we
heard on arrival was much more dramatic: sails lost in the water, crew
tangled in the rope, stuck in the mast (and somebody having to go up in the
mast) and ripped in half.
Our Lazy Bag (the sail bag for the mainsail) has
been a continous weak point (Jeanneau can do better!). In even light wind, it
has ripped or the x battons inside have torn the material. Regi has always
enjoyed sewing, but not in this material and in the waves at odd angles. It will
need more professional sailmaking upon arrival.
  The many days at sea also took its toll in
other places and required regular checks.
Luckily Ole has much technical expertise: here with
the autohelm. We did not like others want to loose it. Espen does his 3
min a day rig check, incl binoculars inspection of mast.
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