Hi everyone,
At 1200 today we were at 41 33N 041 33W steering 120M, beam reaching under double-reefed main and single-furled yankee at 5.5 knots. It was sunny with a few small cumulus clouds. The wind was 13G18 from the N. Our noon to noon run by the log was 118nm. 495nm at 120M to Flores - about a Freo to Albany.
Yesterday afternoon was frustrating. The engine stayed on until 1630 in light, contrary ENE winds. As our track shows, we tacked N for a few hours. That was to avoid a massive rainstorm. We still caught a few light showers but avoided a total drenching.
Later in the afternoon the breeze started filling in, initially from the ENE. The engine got a rest and we were sailing again. Initially it was a very close reach to steer 120M. A few more rain showers, some of which were brief but torrential. Thankfully no lightning.
Overnight the breeze backed to the NNE and we eased sheets. We had the WindPilot steering and it did a great job. Conditions were 20G25 wind, sharp beam sea and Gulf Stream current with us. Occasional view of some stars. For several periods we had the staysail (storm jib) set with the double-reefed (trisail size) main. The staysail was made for us by UK Sails in Fremantle about 10 years ago. It suffers from unavoidable chafe of its UV strip from the yankee's lazy sheet but we've had that made good regularly. Great sail Geoff!
This morning the N wind and seas have been gradually abating. A few ex-flying fish on deck. The winds are from a High to our W which has split away from the Azores High. A strong Low will move over the top of them both over the next few days, giving us W winds. That's the forecast anyway. Later today we expect to be in calms as the High moves E over us.
Trust all's well where you are.
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