Losing our Wind

November 5, 2018

Day 32

Noon Position: 26 45S 128 59W

Course(t)/Speed(kts): SxW 5

Wind(t/tws): SExS 10

Sea(t/ft): E 3

Sky: Altocumulus

10ths Cloud Cover: 2

Bar(mb): 1021, falling

Cabin Temp(f): 81

Water Temp(f): 73

Relative Humidity(%): 55 (dry)

Sail: #2 genoa, main, full; close hauled (AWA roughly 40 degrees)

Noon-to-Noon Miles Made Good (nm): 125

Miles since departure: 4248

Avg. Miles/Day: 133

Wind has tailed off and gone SE. We’re cruising the top of a high, and, sadly, we’re giving up much of the easting made over the last weeks. Another day of this and then becalmed a day and then wind goes south, allowing a tack to the east. Within a week we should start to feel the tops of the big lows currently passing toward Cape Horn.

A friend sends me regular reports on the tribulations of the Golden Globe Race skippers, who have been experiencing knockdowns, broken masts, boat abandonments and at-sea rescues. No one’s escaped without being raked. I think at this point they are all through the Indian, but now Cape Horn looms.

Not encouraging reading.

All while Mo and I make four knots in the wrong direction. I’m in no hurry. Thus the #1 is still rolled.

On a cheerier note, below is a video of scenes from the SE Trades…

https://youtu.be/pYskd-lATQ8

2 Comments on “Losing our Wind

  1. It seems that the video did not load to YouTube. may I suggest trying again?

    • Today it loaded – changed over to desktop from iPad, guess that’s why. You have really outdone yourself on this video!! Fabulous! It’s so good having these moments of feeling at sea by watching and reading. Mahalo mahalo mahalo
      Mary

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