airplane mode
We had a true taster of upwind sailing last night. By that I mean we spent 12 hours sailing almost nowhere! Between shifting winds, oil rigs, and unpredictable ocean research vessels, we sailed 100NM to get 30 miles closer to Amsterdam! The crew didn’t mind though. It was fun to get some tacking practice in and put the training of our first day to good use.
This morning I was reminded of how fulfilling it is to see people you coach start to gain confidence. As I was making scrambled eggs down below, the gang on deck were discussing how to make the boat go faster. Impressively, I managed to keep my nose out of it. One of them quoted, “When in doubt, let it out,” and lo and behold, after a decisive ease of the main and a transferring of the jib to the outboard lead, the boat picked up three knots! Proud skipper moment. Good job Jaime, Anne, Rach, and Kellye.
For anyone who is following us, the crew have opted to turn their phones on flight mode until we all agree we are ready to let the outside world in. So, to loved ones and followers, thank you for allowing us the bliss of living in our watery bubble for a little while longer.
— Nikki
NikkiHenderson
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HMS Night Watch Party
Wing on wing worked well until the wind shifted then the helm became the cone of despair for our night watch crew of three (H, M and S) Alex made the decision to drop the pole, shifting wing on wing to a close reach. Wind increased to low teens and speed picked up to a flying pace. Day spent wandering toward Ensenada. Alex, Adam and David got us into port under another starry night.
No Kitemares Today
After a night marked by sudden wind accelerations peeling off Point Conception, and a vibrant, pulsating sky blistered with shooting stars, the off-watch woke to commotion on the foredeck. The wind had gone light and the swell had tapered just enough to raise the spinnaker. The sail filled with an urgent pop, the sheet strained and Falken charged down the face of the next wave. By mid-day, we doused the spinnaker and set our minds to the more precise task of safely punching through a gap in the notorious Cortez Bank. The border to Mexico looms ahead.
The California coast
We had a very lively first day of sailing with steady winds between 25 and 30 kn gusting to mid 30s. All of the crew got experience at difficult downwind helming as we covered 200 nautical miles in the first 24 hours. This morning brings winds in the teens and calmer seas. The sun is still shining, and the green monster has been slayed by those afflicted!