The fourth dimension

In my previous blog I discussed our heavy weather preparations and our
options which comprised of running with the weather away from where we
want to go,heaving to keeping us more or less on the same spot drifting
slowly west or motoring into the weather with a tad of headsail.

In a dreamlike state between last night and this morning it dawned on me
that there could be a fourth option.And that would be to have a third
reef in the mainsail which we don't have,combined with a bit of headsail
and slowly sailing into the weather,a much more balanced spread of
power.

I discussed it with the crew and we all concurred that the third reef
would be a great option,another weapon in our arsenal.I started watch at
six this morning and by seven could sit still anymore.Went through all
our safety lines,checked all our knots,tied down a few loose ends here
and there and started looking at the possibility of rigging a third
reef.By that time Brad was also up and soon Pieter also joined in.The
wind was at times up to 20kts+ already and time to sit around and watch
for ships while we've got plans to implement run out.With Pieter at the
helm we went on a broad reach,shadowed the headsail and furled it
in,back into the wind and dropped the main.Motoring now we turned to run
with the wind again to give us a steady platform to work from.We lashed
the mainsail down at the back where we want the thrird reef,right at the
batten and used the batten pocket as a stronghold to tie the back
down.Using a sailtie and a length of cord we managed to secure it.At the
mast we also tied down the mainsail and when we were ready we hoisted
the main.Small problem,we tied the sail down at the mast to high and
dropped it again.Five minutes and the sail was up again,but we were not
happy with our plan at the back of the sail where we tied the reef
in.Dropped the main again,lifted the boom high and tied the topping lift
down,keeping the boom raised.Once again we tied the third reef
in,slacked the topping lift a bit and voila!.Our third reef looked just
fine and we tensioned the topping lift a bit to aid the reef we tied
in,taking some of the pressure.We raised the mainsail again and it was
love at first sight when we saw this little cheeky bit of sail standing
proud against the wind.Full main takes the head of the sail to the top
of the mast,1st reef a meter down,2nd reef a third from the top of the
mast.Our 3rd reef only goes halfway up the mast.We furled a section of
genoa out to match the wind and turned back into the wind,not all the
way.That is called the no go zone as no boat can sail directly into the
wind.We keep at about 60 degrees off the wind and the results of our
efforts are very satisfying.

We are now ready as can be for the expected strong winds and the cirrus
clouds are already starting to streak across the skies,a sure sign of
strong winds on the way.We expect a two day spell of between 20 and 45
kts of wind which will surely test us,in every way.We don't care to much
about speed at this stage,safely navigating the ocean at this stage
takes priority.At least we will be going in the right direction,and when
the wind does pick up,we can easily furl the headsail to suit the
conditions.

Thanks for all the good wishes we receive,the prayers and support from
our friends and family.To my wife Lizette,thanks love for sending us
some love and light and we wish you the same.It is at times like this
that support from family and friends counts most.I know we are all
wrapped up in our own lifes to an extend and there are so many mediums
vying for your attention.However,it only takes a minute to send a small
message,and with the smartphones around nowadays,there just is no
excuse.It is at times like this that the value of family and friendship
cannot be taken for granted.Life is just too short.

By the time you read this,we will be facing big waves coming at
us,strong winds blowing through us,for two days and two nights.So spare
a thought for us as we experience the elements in all their might and
beauty and fury.We will certainly be thinking of you which will give us
the will to get through this in one piece.We have already given our
expected guest a name,Gale.Or perhaps we are the guests at her party.And
we hope she will be coming dancing not to wildly,rather a peaceful waltz
than a torrid tango.

Over and out

Paul