Spindrift ARC Log - Day 1 to 4
Austins' Travels
Chris & Lynn Austin
Wed 23 Nov 2011 16:33
Day 1 was a good start and we were surrounded by more yachts than I have ever seen in one stretch of water As night fell there were lights everywhere.
The wind dropped off by early morning of day 2 and we decided to motor rather than let the sails flog with each passing swell in light winds. By the afternoon the wind picked up and we have sailed with 10-25 knots of wind with stronger gusts since then. We have rigged for downwind sailing with a genoa poled out on the port side and the main with preventer on the starboard.
On the second night we had three close encounters with other yachts (!) and during one of these the preventer broke so that we gybed unintentionally and the main sheet caught and broke the danbuoy.
However that is the only mishap so far and we have repaired to only a slightly less functional condition.
Day 3 was a very good run in the right direction with strong winds and we were often exceeding 8 knots with a maximum of over 11 knots and by the night there were very few yachts and only one ship sighted.
Day 4 has been quite settled with continuous winds and more good progress. Chris was largely recovered from the seasickness of the first three days and caught our first fish with his new birthday present of rod and reel but as we couldn't identify it the plans for fresh fish for dinner were abandoned.
A key feature of the trip so far is the gourmet cooking of Ken and Neil, who are vying for position as the Spindrift 'Chef of 2011'.
Most importantly, everyone is well and happy and enjoying the trip, if quite tired (sleeping with a constant and large swell is difficult). We are all just starting to get into some routine and starting to sleep a bit better.