Sailors Run’s Passage from Mexico to Ecuador. Days-10 11-12. April 2015.
Day-10-24hr. Run=61NM. Weather: Wind 0-10kts.SSE. Seas 3-ft from the South. Temperature 87-94*.
Position: Lat. 04*36’N Long.84*25’W.
Day-11-24hr. Run=91NM. Weather: Wind 0-14kts. All directions. Temp.85-90*.
Position: Lat.03*54’N Long.83*11’W.
Day-12-24hr.Run=92NM. Weather: Wind 7-25kts with some higher gusts going from SSE to NE then back to SSW. Temperature 84*-87*
Position: Lat.02*45’N Long.83*20’W
Top speed so far 9.3kts.
Distance sailed so far= 1074NM.
Distance left to go=226NM.
The Rest of the Story
Day=10:
Today was a very rainy one with little wind to report. We fired up the diesel and just putted along at times to maintain steerage.
The really good thing about today is I tried out David & Aliason’s Bread recipe,that they suggested would be easy for my trip and whom are our friends off the yacht Freedom.
This is a stove top recipe that is quick and simple; it also includes beer as part of the catalyst.
Basically you mix 1.5 cups of flour -1 teaspoon salt, ¼ tsp. yeast,mix all together than add 5 tablespoons beer and 4 tablespoons of water. Knead bread lightly put in covered bowl overnight.
Next day lightly knead bread and place in frying pan with 1 tablespoon of oil in it; flip bread over so both sides have oil on them and leave to rise for 1-2 hrs. Next turn burner to high heat for a minute then to low heat for 5-7 minutes, when bread is lightly browned flip over for 5-7 minutes. Be sure the pan is covered when baking.
Mine turned out a little salty so less salt next time, yet this bread was a lot better than the other breads we have on board and I am now considered on Sailors run a great bread maker,thanks to sv freedom
MY FIRST ATTEMPT AT SV FREEDOM’S STOVETOP BREAD RECIPE, YUMMY!
Day-11:
This day began with large squalls in our general vicinity that were kicking up 3-ft. wind waves from opposing directions not to mention the already 3ft. swell running out of the south. This combination created some of the most uncomfortable conditions to try and sail in that Debbie and I have ever encountered. Sailors Run does not normally hobby horse but on this day she was a “Bucking Champion”.
It was after 3-hours of bucking Debbie & I were totally frustrated as we had ever been on a passage together. The winds were light and we were forced to tap our remaining twenty gallons of fuel once again to maintain steerage as we bashed into square waves for another 3-hours, before the seas settled down and the winds filled in from the SSW and we were off on a most appreciated wondrous sail.
Day-12:
The winds remained steady and it appeared a great day of sailing was in order. It was when Debbie and I were playing our daily card game below decks when the sky darkened and it appeared night fall was coming about 3-hrs. early!
Once we were up on deck it was obvious that we were being overran by a huge squall about 20-miles in length. This squall looked very threatening and we watched intently for any signs of waterspout development. Another strange thing about this weather was that it was coming in against the prevailing winds.
We fired the diesel and tried to out run the system as we appeared to be near one end of it. After just short of 10-minutes, the first gusts of wind from the opposite direction were hitting us and I hurried to furl the head sail all the way in, and even with having done that we still charged along with just main and reefed mizzen at 7-knots.
The squall lasted for over two hours and at one point the wind and rain were so intense that it appeared like a white squall as it came upon us but in the end the wind was 30kts or less and the rain just gave us another thorough cleansing.
SAILORS RUN JUST BEFORE BEING OVERTAKEN BY A HUGE SQUALL AND 180′ WIND SHIFT
We are hoping to get into Bahia Caraquez,Ecuador on Thursday if we can just find the wind.
I thought I should mention that on my upcoming “World Record Attempt” at rounding the world nonstop, solo, via the 5-great southern Capes, I will be doing everything to document it including carrying a spot locator, documenting the start and finish as well as entering the northern hemisphere just above Bahia Caraquez before diving south towards Cape Horn going West to East around.
I know Dodge Morgan from the USA did it in a 60 footer in 150 days. If my dreams come true I will do it in Sailors Run my forty footer in 150-days or possibly considerably longer.
What I really would like to know is how many Americans have done it and on what size boat?
I’m pretty sure I will set the record for the Baba 40-Ketch as I believe there are only two of them and the other one isn’t going yet. I will also be 69 years old when I start out and possibly 70 by the time I get back.
Please let me know anything you know about prior US, solo, nonstop circumnavigators south of the 5-great Capes?
Your Amigos, Jeff & Debbie -Still anxiously Hanging in there