Day#10:
24 hr.Run: 69 nm. Pos: Lat.27*43’N. Long. 172*32′ E.
Weather: Winds:NE 30-50 kts. Seas: NE 19-15 feet.
Course E-SE 2-3 kts. Cabin Temp=69* at 7 am down 6*.
Bar.=1020 mb. up-4mb.
The Rest of the Story:
The past 24-hrs has been by far the most challenging and worst part of the voyage, “What Happened”?
The conclusion of day -9 found us hove-to in 40-50 kts. This lasted for close to 4-hrs. My interpretation is a cold front,proceeding a 180* shift in wind direction. Unfortunate for me as now the wind is blowing out of the NE the direction I want to go. I must hold my ground if possible. At first heaving to was good as we were only going astern at about .5-kts. The problem and a very serious one is as time goes on the height of the waves continue to increase and heaving-to can end in a roll over by a breaking wave on your beam that’s height is greater than your beam.
It was after 4-hrs of heaving-to and the winds had abated to 35-40 kts and the waves were steadily getting larger,I hoisted the staysail and Sailors Run began close reaching under staysail and reefed mizzen. This is much safer as the bow is always into the waves. Sailors Run can do this in up to 45-knots of wind.
We spent this day sailing into an adverse current coming from the east at about 2-knots, allowing very little favorable progress, yet not yielding any ground.
Help ” Mr. Wizard” time for this “one” to come home.
Far from Paradise, El Jefe’.
Day# 11:
24 hr.Run: 140 nm. Pos: Lat. 29*41’n Long.172*46’E.
Weather: Winds=30 kts NE shifting early to ENE at 10-12 Kts.
Seas=15 feet NE, remaining very confused through out the day but eventually dropping to 4-6-feet from ENE.
Course shifting early from SE to OO1* speed going from 2.5kts to 6 kts.Cabin Temp.=66* Bar=1020 and steady.
The Rest of the Story:
It was after breakfast and the radio net when I set about hoisting the main with a reef in it and rolled the Genoa 1/3rd of the way out and soon we were moving along very nicely headed North.
It was while standing in the cockpit I heard an unfamiliar noise coming from aloft. Looking skyward I seen the source of this strange noise! It appears that one of the wires that hold the radar reflector aloft has parted and now the reflector is swinging around beating on the mizzen mast with the broken stainless steel wire flopping about below it. The wire appears to come dangerously close to the whirling carbon fiber blades on the wind generator. For now with rough seas and sailing close to the wind heeled over there is little I can do but pray the other wire fails and the radar reflector blows clear of the boat. If conditions allow I will pull myself aloft and cut it in the clear, but for now that must wait.
I can only say what a difference a day makes when it comes to sailing conditions. Yesterday, it was pounding rain and spray with little chance of going where I wanted to go. Today the sun shines seas are abating and we are moving along our course line nicely.
Have you ever noticed when “Mother Nature” becomes angry the clock seems to slow down and minutes can seem like “forever”.
Enjoying the sail now in my thermals, El Jefe’.
Day# 12.
24 hr,Run:158 nm. Pos: Lat. 31*37’N Long.174*36’E.
Weather:Winds SE at 15-17 kts. Seas:SE at 4-6 ft. Course 061*T. Speed=7.1 kts. Cabin Temp.=68* up 2. Bar=1016mb down 4mb.
Miles sailed last 3-days=367 nm.
Total miles sailed so far=1704 nm.
The Rest of the Story:
Sailors Run is presently making good time on a Broad reach. The ride is quite comfortable and the sun is out. Things have warmed up two degrees with the winds now coming up from the south. I have however thrown a second blanket in my sea berth and it is definitely needed at night.
I have seen several ships on AIS but none have came within thirty miles of us.
The Radar reflector still is hanging and banging on the mizzen mast and all the paint is off where it has been pounding. I’m looking for that opportunity to sneak up there and cut it down.”Maybe Today”.
I want to thank my friends in Majuro for keeping Debbie appraised of how things are going out here when I can not hook up on sailmail because of the heading I’m on.
Heading for the top of the high, I hope El Jefe’.