…impressions from the sea…
Category: Spain Page 3 of 29
The night was interessting. Had to give way to a fellow sailor. We had a CPA of 50m and he had the right of way, So better switch from windvane to steering wheel, adjust the sails for a while and let him pass. He did not reply on VHF and his AIS was on and off. Otherwise I rested well.
We are about 25nm behind our planned sailing route and there are different reasons for that. In short, our speed is 1-15kn slower than planned and that puts us back. I am monitoring that and consider putting the mainsail up this morning after shifting the spinnaker pole and try to stabilize it as much as possible in the waves. A boat next to me did put up the Gennaker yesterday for 30min. Nice try but it did not work in this wind/wave/course potpurri.
I am not concerned as our weather window seems to be open towards the end, which I also monitor carefully. All it matters is, that we minimize wear and tear, nothing brakes, and we arrive before the 10 December, the date Susan will touch down Mindelo! And obviously: enjoying the ocean!
Food selection is remarkable, I slept quite well last night, so Day 5 on this passage will start now with a tea at sunrise.
Fair winds…
PS:
In case I get bored, I now have a sketch book (present #4 from Elke and Ulli), to fill those hours with creativity!
Following the latest weather forecast and based on the way we are sailing, I expect that we will need a day/night longer than original planned. Well, when I called the Marina in Mindelo yesterday, I mentioned potentially 28th sunset hours but that seems to be a bit too optimistic now and it shall be the 29th sometime during the day. The beer has to wait.
The reason is mainly that I am hesitant to deploy the mainsail to gain an extra knot of speed but taking shaking and banging into consideration besides the risk of an unintentional gybe. The latter one can well well happen with wind shifts in the range of 30 degree despite the preventer securing the boom. Why all this hassel? No need. Our weather window is open towards the end, so we can stay 24 hours longer and just keep sailing in safety, comfort and style.
I have spoken to Jan from SY Sutje this morning. They were doing better than me and were already ahead and out of the VHF reach. Well done. In principal they are challenged by the same conditions but also follow the strategy: better slow and safe.
After a huge pot of tea this morning I took some further naps in the cockpit now as the seastate is a bit more pleasant. We got 4 out of 8 cloud coverage, which allows now to sit outside in the shade and enjoy the passage. We have arrived at the sweet spot!
Fair winds…
…sailing into the sunset…
There is a group of five boats sailing as a flottille down to Cabo Verde. All left from San Sebastian de La Gomera yesterday morning. We are currently sailing within a circle of 10nm diameter. One disappeared from the AIS some time back but is expected to get back on the screen. Anyway, that boat was in the lead, I am at the tail.
As expected there were some hours of motor sailing at the start but then the wind got up to 12kn and the engine got shut off. During some hours in the night the wind increased and peaked just beyond 20kn, which gave us good speed. After some finetuning, I found our sail arrangements for the night. Poled out foresail only on starboard side. Easy, relaxing and no banging. Most of this passage will be pure downwind, TWA between 140 and 170 degree. Although we need to watch our progress to ensure we arrive on time, more or less. I have spoken to Marina Mindelo to inform about our ETA.
An hour ago, the wind shifted by 50 degree, which brings us a bit off course. I am not sure, if this is just a temporary shift or will stay on. If it stays on, I need to take the pole in and get the main sail back out again. I will decide in three hours, when the sun comes out and I have received the latest weather forecast.
Had also some good rest. This time I took my sleep on the floor in the saloon as it was quite rolling up in the cockpit and the air temperature would require a sleeping back. I hope the coming nights it will get warmer. Tonight it shows 23 °C on the thermometer.
I skipped the dinner after having had a good portion of noodle salad from Petra in my travel bag. Delicious and something I have not had for long time.
Highlight of the day was present #3 of the emmergency bag from Elke and Ulli, which I got in Lanzarote. Another creative delight – Mojo Suave, traditional Lanzarote food.
I look forward to daylight to leave the first night in our wake.
Fair winds…
Finally we have now left La Gomera and the Canary Islands heading for Cabo Verde. These stop-overs took a bit longer than planned but now we shall have fair winds and following seas to make south. Cross fingers. Our adventure continuous!
Fair winds…
PS: Thanks for the video Marcel!
Together with Tobi, 1st mate on SY Sutje, I went for a hike today while the wind keeps blowing. We got a recommendation from Petra and Jan, both chief hiking experts besides sailing SY Sutje.
The bus ride to our starting point was already breath taking as you can see above. For details on the hike itself please have a look at the Komoot recording, if you like. I am still puzzled from today’s impressions. Amazing landscape!
Fair winds…
As expected, we are getting some gale force winds blowing over the Canary Islands at the moment. The eastern part at Lanzarote is hit even harder/longer than the western islands. As per the latest forecast, the wind will peak here in San Sebastián de La Gomera around noon today at 45kn. Tomorrow afternoon it will all be over.
I am impressed how well protected this marina is against these northerly winds. Hidden behind some high rocks, there is hardly any boat movement and no jerking of lines generating this squeaky noise from the mooring lines all over the place.
Peaceful night with restful deep sleep.
Fair winds…
What to do with 1kg fresh Wahoo filet? To start off, I decided, that my light lunch today will be a Wahoo steak with some Avocado dip, topped with some local grown Thymian. I learned that Avocados are also grown on La Gomera and wonder, what else you cannot get on this island. Still learning every day, but bottom line is, that my learning curve is much steeper compared to the days before this adventure started.
Fair winds…
