20.06 BOAT TIME | 09º 53.5’ S 129º 22.3 ’ W
Spinnaker Sailing
I’ve had a lot of birthdays at sea, it happens when you work on the water. Today wasn’t just another birthday away from home, I can’t tell you how many times I was serenaded with enthusiastic happy birthdays. Zoe presented me with a cold apple at breakfast! I had a most fashionable pointed striped hat at dinner, and out of the depths of a cupboard a cake was created, after 14 days at sea. A group of people I had never met two weeks ago made me feel very special today.
In more important news we hoisted the spinnaker at first light this morning, and it’s still flying now as the sun sets into the ocean off our bow. The winds are light, and the swell has come down to about a meter. Perfect kite weather. We’re making around 7 knots in 10 knots of wind, nothing wrong with that. Alex held a class in the cockpit, which is still blanketed in lovely afternoon shade, now with a pink tint from the spin. He pulled out a whiteboard and ran through sail trim, from headsail cars and backstay tension to how to de-power in a hurry. The plan is to continue afternoon lessons until our arrival.
Wishing everyone shoreside a beautiful day, from Falken, as she sails into a bright pink sky, under a bright pink spinnaker.
Phoebe G.
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Among the Channel Islands
In the wind shadow of SoCal we had a restful night with calm conditions ghosting through smooth seas. We’re getting ourselves in position for spicy weather tonight once we round Cape Conception, the seas build and the breeze freshens. It will be an upwind sail into an acceleration zone along a formable coast with few bailout points, Morro Bay being one. The crew is really gelling with lots of smiles and laughter on deck. Monterey is in our sights!
Day Two Delights
The seas were completely glassy with a gentle swell as we approached San Clemente Island, the southernmost of the Channel Islands. Everyone jumped in and marvelled at the lovely temperature and crystal clear, indigo-colored water. Before long the wind started to pick up, and we happily unfurled the jib and were sailing again. The afternoon has been gorgeous, cruising along at 5-6 kts, close hauled on a port tack in a gentle breeze, Catalina Island in the distance on our starboard side, and everyone is happy.
Adios Ensenada!
Around 9am this morning, we slipped lines and made our way out of Todos Los Santos Bay with a pre-arranged escort pod of dolphins. After a few hours of motoring through very calm, very blue, very kelpy seas, we clicked the engine off and off we went. After some delicious frittata and not-new potatoes a-la Adam, we executed our first of many tacks. With only 5-10 kts of wind, our close haul has been nothing but pleasant so far. After a lovely week in Ensenada for me, Alex, and Adam, we’re stoked to finally head out and begin our upwind journey back up the coast.