We are now under engine for the last 6 hours and it looks like that we need at least another 4 hours to get back to sailable wind conditions. Based on my own routing, the true wind indicated in the table shall increase a notch at 10:00 UTC, which is 6:00 AST, Atlantic Standard Time, the time zone we are in. So let’s hope, that we get the extra notch of 1-2kn, which willl stabalize the Genaker and allow us to shut the engine off for the day. The lady is sensitive and these small icrements of wind speed can make a difference
The conditions up to Saint George/Bermuda remain exciting. In particular we are looking at the ETA and the local conditions at that time. As it looks at the moment, we shall arrive sometime on the 20th April. Could be in the early hours of the day in darkness or later during the day. I guess, the difference will make the gallons of diesel we will be burning over the remaining 200nm versa how much Genaker sailing we want to enjoy. There are some light northerly winds to be expected around that timing, which we try to prevent. We have not yet decided, if we dare to enter Saint George Harbour at night time or not.
Very helpful is a weather forecast we receive from the Bermuda Weather Service. It’s focus is on the last 25nm from the shoreline and it confirms the notherly winds on Thursday and the showers coming through with the cold front between the two high pressure systems.
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Message ID: ZI6QQM1CKM3T Date: 2023/04/18 05:33
From: query-reply@saildocs.com
To: DL9BS
Source: SMTP Downloaded-from: RMS:8P6BWS Subject: www.weather.bm/forecastmarineextended.asp
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Date: 18 Apr 2023 05:33:38 -0000
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(Converted from HTML) Bermuda Weather Service
Marine Charts | Tide Times | Forecast Discussion
Bermuda Marine Forecast This forecast covers an area out to 25 nautical miles from the coastline Issued at 11:30 pm – Monday, April 17, 2023 The next scheduled update will be issued at 5:30 am
Marine Synopsis – A retreating ridge of high pressure holds fair weather until Tuesday night into Wednesday, then a cold front moves in from the west. Expect scattered showers while the moderate southwest wind veers northeast behind the front. Slight to moderate seas continue.
Tonight – Winds southwesterly 12 to 18 knots, backing south-southwesterly overnight… Seas inside the reef 1 to 2 ft… Outside the reef 3 to 5 ft… Sunset: 7:50 pm.
Tuesday – Winds south-southwesterly 12 to 18 knots… Isolated to occasionally scattered showers developing overnight with mainly fair visibility… Seas inside the reef 1 to 2 ft… Outside the reef 3 to 5 ft, increasing during the afternoon inside the reef 1 to 2 ft… Outside the reef 3 to 6 ft… Sunrise: 6:46 am; Sunset: 7:50 pm.
Wednesday – Winds southerly 10 to 15 knots, veering westerly 8 to 12 knots towards evening, then north-northeasterly 10 to 15 knots overnight… Isolated to scattered showers with fair to poor visibility, easing overnight… Seas inside the reef 1 to 2 ft… Outside the reef 3 to 6 ft… Sunrise: 6:45 am; Sunset: 7:51 pm.
Thursday – Winds north-northeasterly 12 to 18 knots, easing slightly later… Chance of isolated early morning showers with mainly fair visibility… Seas inside the reef 1 to 2 ft… Outside the reef 3 to 5 ft, decreasing… Sunrise: 6:44 am; Sunset: 7:52 pm. Friday – Winds north-northeasterly 10 to 15 knots, shifting direction at times… Seas inside the reef 1 to 2 ft… Outside the reef 3 to 5 ft… Sunrise: 6:43 am; Sunset: 7:52 pm. Tides at St George’s (for Great Sound tides, add 10 minutes):
Low: 1:47 am tonight: 0.2m/0.7ft, 2:07 pm Tuesday: 0.2m/0.7ft
High: 7:55 am Tuesday: 1.1m/3.6ft, 8:16 pm Tuesday: 1.2m/3.9ft
Sea Surface Temperature: 20.8°C/69.4°F
Meteorologist: Kimberley Zuill, Observer: Lawrence Doughty
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All not dramatic and managable but I prefer to understand what lies ahead of us rather than caught by the facts.
Time for a second coffee.
Fair winds…