SAILORS RUN & THE JEFE ON THE OCEAN
Day-7
24hr. Run=149 nm. Pos. Lat.24*32’N Long. 169*48’E.
Weather: Wind: 12-15 kts. SE. Seas 3-5 ft. Course:17*T speed 6.6 kts.
Cabin Temp at 7 am: 78* Bar.: 1012 mb.
The Rest of the Story:
The truth is last night on the 10th I was trying to get the last three days adventure 7-8-9 and thought I had it sent then I seen it was still in my out box.
I was sailing in a gale at the time and somehow I inadvertently lost all three days so since I have no safe copy I will try to catch you up to date.
This day was good sailing and it appeared that my plan to pinwheel over the top of the Pacific high was working well.
Day-8
24hr.Run: 131 nm. Pos. Lat.26*27’N. Long.170*49’E.
Weather: Winds: 12 kts. SE. Seas: 3-5 ft. Course=030*T. Speed: 6 kts.
Cabin Temp: 78* Bar: 1014 mb. up 2 mb.
The Rest of the Story:
Sailing is going well in winds that are becoming steadily lighter. I’m eating well and tonight I’m having steak and stir fried cabbage and onions and of course a rum drink and a piece of chocolate for dessert. It seems like I’m eating popcorn every other day and crackers with peanut butter on them on the other days ,this pretty much being lunch.
Day-9
24hr. Run: 111 nm. Pos. Lat. 27*51’N. Long. 171*35’E.
Weather: Winds:8-12 kts. SE changing to NE upon arrival of cold front with winds gusting 50 kts. Seas: 3-5 feet SE. changing to NE. 8-10 and rising. Course: Hove To at end of 24 hr. day in 40+ kts.
Cabin Temp at 7 am: 75* Bar=1016 mb. up 2 mb.
Miles sailed the last 3-days: 391 nm.
Total miles sailed so far: 1337 nm.
Day- 9 The Rest of the Story:
Today was one of those frustrating days as there was a period around midnight when the wind had died completely, yet there was still enough swell to cause the main sail to bang about making sleeping impossible.
I ran the motor for 1.5 hrs until the wind started filling in again from the west and I was at last able to sleep. At 4:30 am the “Shit hit the fan”! I awake to screeching winds and Sailors Run Pinned down on her starboard side, I grab my safety harness and climb out into the cockpit where the spray and wind are flying.
I let the Genoa fly and crank it in on the furler next I’m at the mast dropping the main down boom and all right on to the cabin top. This leaves me to heave to under reefed mizzen alone and in 40-50 kts, the mizzen does a fair job of holding the bow into the waves. The waves are not dangerously high yet so I feel comfortable with this plan.
I had to use a 40-foot piece of line to lash the main sail to the boom. It was while lashing it down a square wave came in on the side and broke over me and Sailors Run. Now, I got to tell you when you are bent over the boom in your underwear and you get blasted by a wave in the “Ass” that’s some kind special experience for sure.
Just hanging in there with a new sensual perception of the Pacific ‘El Jefe’.