On the beat again

It was quite bumpy this morning for a few hours as we crossed the continental shelf back into deeper waters. At ten am we were over, time to raise the main sail again, and turn our bows toward St.Lucia. This stretch is always challenging. After many days of good current and wind from behind, we have now very little current to assist us, and the wind from the side. In sailing terms we are on a beam reach, using our main and head sail to propel us forward.

We have set the main sail to second reef and secured it with gybe preventers. As we have about twenty knots of wind and on average three meter waves, the head sail is only furled out half way. In theory we could go full main and genoa, but it would be ludicrous. Even first reef would be way too much due to the sea state. Second reef and half genoa gives us a fair turn of speed, keeps us relatively comfortable, and also less stress on the rigging. We should be good for up to thirty knots.

It's going to be a bit of a bumpy night as the weather predicted will probably gust at close to thirty knots, but mostly stay at twenty. We have got some searoom to bare off should the need arise. Bare off means placing the wind a bit behind us, and Trinidad is three hundred miles away, more than enough space to stay safe. Tomorrow morning we expect the wind to ease to fifteen knots, and blowing more out of the east. This will give us a great angle to cut through the gap between St.Vincent and St.Lucia.

It takes a while to shake the fear that is trying to engulf you when sailing like this. But before long, you get used to the motion, the bigger waves, and the stronger winds. I fortunately have two hundred and seventy six thousand miles of experience to draw on, and have been in much bigger seas in much smaller boats. It helps me to stay calm, and in turn my crew also sense my calmness and stay calm. I certainly will never challenge the ocean with my experience, I simply draw on it when things get a bit rough and scary. I'm not a brave sailor by any stretch of the imagination. I stay alert, focused, real, and in harmony with the ocean. I have known sailors that thought they were bigger than the ocean, and they paid the ultimate price. It's not a game out here.

Hope you had a great weekend and catch up again tomorrow.

Paul

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