Cape Verdes Inbound Day 6

Hi everyone,
At noon today we were at 19 29N 023 42W steering 220M, sailing under 2 reefs and 1 furl at 5.5 knots. The wind was 16G20 from a little E of NE. Our noon to noon run over the ground was 119nm. 170nm to Mindelo.

We spent about 12 hours from noon yesterday sailing W during a period with NNE winds. This positioned us nicely to a single gybe S towards Mindelo with predicted ENE winds.

Winds became light last night and for a brief period we had to use the autopilot. Happily that didn't last long. The night was quite cloudy with a couple of light drizzly showers. By 0300 the clouds were clearing to reveal another wonderful starscape.

This morning we had several minor squalls come through. Happily we passed between them but we copped increased wind up to 30 knots nevertheless. The storm staysail was used a couple of times briefly.

Eventually the squalls cleared away to leeward and normal 'service' was resumed. Sunny sky with a few puffy small cumulus.

Trust all's well where you are.

Cape Verdes Inbound Day 5

Hi everyone,
At noon today we were at 20 20N 022 17W steering 270M, sailing under 2 reefs and 2 furls at 5 knots. The wind was 17G22 from a little N of NE. Our noon to noon run over the ground was 127nm. 250nm to Mindelo - just a Geraldton race.

Our leak persists but has gradually halved over the last day. Perhaps it prefers warmer waters. It's down to a quarter of its worst flow rate. We've been busy contacting folks in Mindelo regarding haul-out and worker costs. We've been passing our watches dreaming up temporary repair/patch schemes 'just in case'.

Weather conditions have settled nicely. We have a good sailing breeze. This morning it backed a little towards the N. That was our opportunity to gybe W back towards the rhumbline route. We expect to continue W until around midnight tonight.

The star of the passage so far has been our WindPilot vane gear. It has steered us all the way. Great kit!

Last night was very pleasant sailing under a bright 3/4 moon followed by a few hours under the stars alone.

Trust all's well where you are.

Cape Verdes Inbound Day 4

Hi everyone,
At noon today we were at 22 18N 021 32W steering 200M, sailing under 2 reefs and 2 furls at 5 knots. The wind was 17G23 from the NE. Our noon to noon run over the ground was again 125nm. 380nm to Mindelo.

The wind has been quite steady in direction, varying only in strength day & night. Last night it decreased enough for us to unroll to 1 furl in the yankee. Then this morning it gradually increased again until we had 3 furls.

During the passage the moon has been waxing steadily. Last night it was a little more than half moon, setting at about 0200. With the moon high in the sky in the evening there was an impressive halo around it, due I think to very thin high cloud. We haven't seen that for a very long time. Then after the moon set the sky cleared and the stars were super-bright.

Last night was also a milestone with the sudden arrival of our first flying fish. He was a big boy and ended up flapping around under the life raft. He didn't want to be scooped out so sadly this morning he was delivered back to King Neptune, 'cactus' as we'd say down-under. And today the mid-high level cloud we've had disappeared, replaced by small low cumulus. We're in the trades!

We're now sailing in loose company with a 30 foot US yacht also headed for Mindelo. Had a chat on VHF this morning. Single-hander.

One of the OCC Port Officers in Mindelo is arranging a quote for us to be hauled out, hopefully early next week. Friends who had their yacht hauled there have also shared a lot of useful info. Looking forward to buying them a beer.

Trust all's well where you are.