Atlantic Crossing Day 11
Malua
Harry Watson Smith
Sat 1 Dec 2012 13:45
Malua is at 15:54.36N 33:59.64W at 0600 on the 30?11/2012
Distance covered 1370
Distance to go 1502
Days run 145
The swell has been up all day and night but we have been travelling rather
well as seen from our daily run. The boat behaves itself very well and
everything has remained in its place. The moon came up an hour after dark
so the start of Piers watch was dark.
Unfortunately at around midnight the wind dropped away almost completely
and we wallowed in the swell with the sails flapping. We dropped the main
and rolled in the genoa and switched on the motor just to keep us on course and
going in the right direction. That lasted all night however the swell
dropped and the rock and roll subsided. I now understand why people after
an Atlantic crossing just want to sit under a tree and feel the ground solid
underneath them. Malua has many hand holds so it is not difficult to move
around the saloon or to stand at the chart table or stove. I have only
used the safty strap at the stove one evening to assist me balance but soon
found it gits in the way more than it helps. Leaning against the sink and
work area with the stove swing out on the side is the easiest position. My
captain chair at the chart table is great. It is secure, does not move
about and I can work the computer, radio and chart plotter without moving.
I have raked it back a little and can snooze while not going out side.
A rain squall came through last night so Piers put the joining canvas up,
the wash boards in and we adjourned below, he to his bunk and I to the captain
chair. The rain soon stopped but it did not bring wind so we continued to
motor till the sun came up and so did the main and genoa.
Our stores are looking good. The is still a lot of frozen meat and
pre-prepared meals. Plus two fish meals.
We currently have:
Onions 16
Potatoes 17
Tomatoes Reddish 6
Peppers green 3
Cabbage 1.5
Cauliflower 1/3
Oranges 3
Mandarins 9
Lemons 11
Apples 2
A magical moment on Malua |