The Low Approaches

November 20, 2018

Day 47

Noon Position: 47 45S 103 54W

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

Wind(t/tws): WxS 15 – 22

Sea(t/ft): SW 8

Sky: Some blue sky left, but squalls in long lines from the west.

10ths Cloud Cover: 8

Bar(mb): 1003, steady

Cabin Temp(f): 55

Water Temp(f): 45

Relative Humidity(%): 61

Sail: #2 genoa full, main three reefs; trying to slow down

Noon-to-Noon Miles Made Good (nm): 131

Miles since departure: 6050

Avg. Miles/Day: 129

On the slow bell overnight. I haven’t wanted to dive too deeply into the coming low and don’t feel I have the luxury of running off to the east until such is actually required by the sea state. The Chilean coast is not exactly hove into view, but I can feel it there over the horizon, and I have no desire to tempt such a famous snaggletooth. So, we made 5 knots in the right direction until dawn. And I continued that strategy all day.

The morning came on brilliantly sunny and right away I got at the only job left on the prep list: change out Monte’s safety tube. A squall got me to drop the main, too early, I thought, and I then lashed it to the boom to decrease its windage and keep it under control. By then wind was steady at 25 knots. Still we made a slow 5 knots.

I’ve been tidying line and securing all afternoon, and now the wind is on us. A steady 30+ from the west; a steady 40 in the squalls. Mo is down to a triple reefed genoa and making 7 knots…in the right direction. Thankfully, the sea has, for the most part, followed the wind and is now westerly as well.

I really should pay attention while there is light. Things look to get intense around midnight, and I want to have a good feel for the sea. All for now.