21:51.80N 27:53.50W
6 days in the sea
are now behind us and we have just passed a milestone; "only 2000 nm" left
(=3,800 km), well aware it's a calculated (theoretical) straight line to
the target destination. It means we have covered >25% of the distance.
(6/14 of the latitude degrees and 12/45 of longitude degrees). I wish the
Atlantic was not sooo big...
Everything is fine
onboard, We are currently 'gliding' through a calm sea in a speed of 4-5 knots,
not that enthusiastic but nevertheless not bad considering that we are again
into a calm to moderate wind area, only 8 -10 knots wind since last
afternoon. Around 2 am it started light raining. We actually made
very good progress from Tuesday to Wednesday afternoon with boat speed of
regular 6-7 knots and in some periods up to 8 and above. After we were able to shift
to a starboard tack on Monday the yacht has been stable and we have been
catching up sleep and good rest. The 2 x 3 hrs duties we have
is actually quite comfortable. Yesterday morning we demounted the
spinnaker boom since the wind turned to southerly, and we have
been sailing more up against the wind.
We logged 150 nm
that day which brings us up to a total of 677 nm. This is 4% above the
theoretical route Puerto Rico - Current position.
Speed and daily
miles achievement become our common discussion topic, it is all
about knots and miles and improving the conditions for making better progress.
Guess it is the same with all other long haul travelers as well.
We have 200 regatta sailing yachts chasing us from behind and we
believe we are still some 1 - 2 days ahead of them. Our goal is
to keep as many as possible behind. They are participating in the ARC. We
are not.
We continue
to catch Dorado fish, size 2-3 kg. Two nice pieces have so far landed
in the frying pan but two also got away just as we were to pull
them over the pushpit (stern railing). Dorado is very colorful with its
sky-blue color while in water and once it lands on onboard it
turns to yellow. It tastes almost like mackerel. Knut is the chief cook,
and he is a master in front of the oven, whether it is a fresh catch from the
sea or our food purchases from the fridge .
