UNDER BARE POLES INTO 25-35 FT SEAS
DESCRIPTION OF SAIL WITH HANKS THAT HELP SLIDE THE SAIL UP TO THE MAST
Day-19.
24 hr.Run: 118 nm.Po s.35*08’N.-Long.168*27’W.
Weather:Wind:30-50 knots.
Seas: 20-35 feet. Course=060*
Speed-5 kts. Cabin Temp at 7am=62*
Bar: 995 mb down 15 mb.
The Rest of the Story.
Roughest day of the trip so far could only sail with staysail and eventually went to bare poles(no sails)when our speed surfing was up to 10+ knots.
I’m seriously considering dropping down close to Latitude 30* where the winds seem to be less most of the time.
Getting some pretty amazing footage on my camera. I will keep this short as writing is difficult.
Hanging on out here, El Jefe’.
Day-20.
24 hr.Run: 131 nm. Pos: Lat.24*52 N. -Lat.166*05 W.
Weather: Wind=45-50 kts. Seas: 25-35 feet all from NW. Course=111*T Speed: 6 kts. Cabin Temp: 55* down 7*. Bar.=1012 mb. up 17 mb.
The rest of the Story.
This morning I was fooled by a slight decrease in winds and hoisted stay sail sliding around on deck all harnessed in but getting wet just the same. The sail was up for 15-minutes and the storm force winds filled back in. Once I was back out on deck I was amazed to see that six of the hanks on the stay sail had released from the popping the sail was seeing. The damn springs in these Chinese hanks are just too weak to sail on the Sailors Run.
Getting the sail down was very difficult trying all the time to keep it on deck and out of the sea Thank God, it is a small sail.
So for 23 & 3/4 Hrs we sailed under bare poles(no sails) covering 131 nm.
I was advised that this storm is now developing hurricane force winds and I’m very glad it is moving away from me. I would think over the next 8 hrs conditions for me should improve.
It’s amazing still no ships showing up on the AIS in my area. Hmmmmm!
El Jeffe’ just”keeping on”.
Day-21.
24 hr.Run: 130 nm. Pos. Lat.34*24’N- Long. 163*49.W.
Weather: Winds: 25-50 kts. improving. Seas: 15-30 ft. dropping down. Course:088* Speed: 5 kts. Cabin Temp:57* Bar.=1018 mb. up 6 mb.
The Rest of the Story.
Today winds and seas began coming down and by noon I had the staysail up and we sailed with that through the remainder of this day.
I had become extremely tired as it is hard to sleep when it feels like you have been hit by a freight train 15 times during the night and you are suddenly jolted awake to the sound of water crashing over the boat and dripping in around the companionway hatch.
Now,you must go outside and see if there is any major damage. We have fared pretty well so far. The Bimini did get knocked loose by a large breaking wave and I had to lash it down with some line for a temporary repair. I later got it back as it should be. So far the amazing thing to me is that the large solar panels on the rail haven’t been damaged “yet”!
I study the pilot charts once again and it appears I must stay this far north until the 130* longitude so will have to deal with mother nature on her terms.
I did sleep soundly at times last night and it made me feel much better.
Come on 130*, El Jefe’