Position: 23:00:03N 20:02:W

Transat Day 4

I had a feeling yesterday afternoon, which grew stronger and stronger as the time passed.  It just felt like we needed to go West.  I downloaded the weather files, pored over them in detail, plotted known positions of other boats, and spent time on deck trying to work out what to do.  Then at 1630 I gave into my hunch and we turned the engine on and pointed the bows 30 degrees further West.

I really wasn’t sure this was the right thing to do, but it feels wrong to be sitting doing 1kt for another 24hrs.  Anyway, 6 hours later, and we had a lovely fresh 12 kts of wind from the N, and we were able to turn the engine off and sail on starboard gybe at 5-6 kts!  So it feels as if my hunch paid off, but who knows – maybe this breeze filled in all the way across.  Anyway, the feeling of cool, fresh breeze after so little for the last few days is just heavenly!  It is still quite cool at night and I sit here writing this in my Slam jacket. 

The skipper contemplating options at sunset (beer in hand)

It is odd, I thought we would see more yachts as we headed further West (given we are to the East of the pack) but we haven’t seen anyone in 18hrs.  Will be very interested to get the position data today to see where everyone is.   When we got the position data last night, I spent 30 minutes in Excel and created a scatter graph showing positions – a rudimentary version of what’s probably shown very clearly on the ARC website for those with bandwidth.  Realised that we were definitely to the East of the bunch, and the boats around us are mainly 40-50ft Beneteau-types.  So this also helped support our decision to head West.

We saw a large whale yesterday afternoon, probably longer than the boat, and very black in colour.  In the middle of the night, I had one of those surreal experiences probably common to sailors but so alien to those who’ve never sailed offshore.  A dolphin, glowing green like a fluorescent torpedo, came straight at us at about 20 kts, and disappeared under the hull!  Very disconcerting at first!  There have been a lot of shooting stars but the nights are fairly dark with little to no moon.  It will be nice to see the moon waxing as we continue the crossing.  This morning, we had our usual dawn serenade of dolphins, treating us to a display of belly-flops and upside-down swimming.  They can’t fail to put a smile on your face.  We also had our first flying fish!  I found it on the deck this morning, somewhat dead, but not big enough to be worth frying up for breakfast.

Rob Neild

By the way, thanks for all your text messages to the sat phone, and for your emails.

As I write this, the wind is dropping - I so hope it doesn't die again...

Hope all’s well

Ollie x