Canaries Outbound Day 11

Hi everyone,
At noon today we are at 17 34N 033 23W sailing at 5.5 knots on a broad reach under double-reefed main and single-furled yankee.  The wind is E 11G15.  The seas are 1.5m with a long 2.5m N swell. The air temperature is 24C, water 26C and above are scattered Cu. Our noon to noon daily run was 115nm.  We have 1627nm to go.

SailingGen at work

Yesterday afternoon we continued westward in a 15 knot NE wind under double-reefed main and double-furled yankee.  Nice sailing under broken Cu.  We had one or two light rain showers but they didn't bring much more wind.  Rather they left wind holes in their wake.

The SSB sked went well with Tuuletar, Lady of Lorien and Ruffian taking part.  One thing discussed was areas of disturbed water which have been experienced recently.  I reckon the cause is ocean surface currents and emailed details of how to obtain GRIBs showing these currents.  RTOFS predictions from SailDocs and OSCAR observations from sv Sarana.

Overnight the wind decreased a little and we rolled out one of the furls.  Zen Again is enjoying the conditions.  The crew are too, but the 2.5m N swell produces a roll which prevents us awarding the 'champagne sailing' label.  For the first time we awoke to find flying fish on deck - five of them.

At 0800 this morning we gybed to the SW.  We're taking another dig S to ensure we remain well within the trades.

For most of the passage we've had our SailnSea SailingGen deployed.  It and the solar panels keep our battery practically full day and night.  As the photo shows, the SailingGen produces over 8 Amps (at 6 knots boatspeed).  Even at 4 knots boatspeed it still produces 3-4 Amps.  Very nice.

Late this morning we had our first bucket showers of the passage.  Refreshing!

Trust all's well where you are.