Caribbean Inbound Day 28

Hi everyone,
We are currently in position 08 18N 053 52W, saillng at 6 knots on a course of 320M.  Our ground speed is 7.0 knots.  The wind is ENE at 20-25 knots with a 2m sea and 2m NNE swell.  We are sailing under double-reefed main and double-furled yankee.  Blue sky.  Our day's run was 139nm, our DMG was 159nm and we have 553nm to go - less than a Sydney-Hobart!

First a correction.  Yesterday's day's run was 138nm not 148nm which makes a lot more sense, being almost exactly equal to our DMG as we had no current.  Mental arithmetic doesn't work well when tired - navigators beware!!!

We have completed our fourth week at sea so here are some stats.  First our speed plot for the passage to date.  Note that this shows ground speed, not velocity made good (VMG).

Zen Again Speed Over Ground - Passage to Date

And here are the stats:

• Log Distance = 3596nm
• Average Boat Speed = 5.3knots
• Distance Made Good = 3226nm
• Average VMG = 4.8knots
• Engine Hours (approx) = 29 hours charging & 16 hours motoring

Sunset Yesterday

We've had winds of over 20 knots for most of the last 24 hours, often around 25 knots.  We're making great progress despite being well the boat is reefed down.  The ride is reasonable despite the cross seas, which themselves aren't as bad in the new NNE swell.  We using the autopilot since the Aries struggled overnight, either heading above the desired course or threatening to gybe.

With these stronger winds the other boats are making better miles than us.  Waterline length talks amongst cruising boats once there's a brisk and free breeze.  We're going to be doing an arc to the west of the rhumb line to stay in good current.  That's about all we can do to improve our performance.  Not that we're complaining but I would like to overtake one bigger boat on a bluewater passage one day!

Our snacks situation has been improved after finding several packets of biscuits and some biltong.  These, with the last nuts and chocolate bars, will have to see us through to our destination.

This afternoon we are putting our clocks back for the final time on this passage.  UTC-4 puts us 12 hours "away" from our home in WA and into the Caribbean's time zone.  Feels like a long way from home.  On the other hand we're getting close to those rum punches!