#3. FALKEN | Antigua to Colombia | Day 5

February 18, 2025 | The art of helming!

Taking your turn at the wheel seems to be the highlight of each watch. We do a half hour each with a spotter at the stern to help if needed. Steering a true course is an art form that i don’t doubt takes countless hours of practice. As you watch the bow swing back and forth you have to feel the wind in the right spot on your face, the force of the rudder on the wheel, all while paying attention to the compass heading. Since we are reaching downwind you should be feeling the wind on the back of your ear. The key is small movements of the wheel as to not overcorrect. If you overcorrect it can be a real battle to get back on course. Lastly you have to watch the compass and keep the desired heading.

When we started this cruise it felt like baptism by fire with 3 meter waves and 15 to 20 knots of wind. I think it’s safe to say that everyone had a certain amount of anxiety when their turn came up. But after hours of practice and a relentless watch that doesn’t end until the destination is reached we have all became much better helmsman.

Last night the winds dropped to 10 or 12 kts apparent and it felt like a nice leisurely walk in the park. We cruised through the night watch stargazing at Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Orion, Cassiopeia, and The Southern Cross. We had a sea bird hovering a few feet over the cockpit and a confused flying fish that landed in the wrong place at the wrong time. I tossed him back in and wished him well.

Today the wind slowly built itself up reaching 20 to 25 kts by nightfall. It was expected so we put the third reef in the main, reduced the jib, and prepared for a wild night of surfing down 3 meter waves in a 65 foot sailboat that was designed to win races across oceans.

- Daniel, crew on the Falken