Day 1
34 02.3N 63 16.5W
A little under 24 hours ago, we slipped the lines from the fuel dock in St. George’s, Bermuda. The excitement amongst the crew was palpable, and it didn’t take much to get a departure picture filled with bright smiles. We knew that we’d have to deal with light weather for a little over a day, but the engine didn’t stay on very long as we’ve been sailing along in a gentle 7-10 kts breeze on a NE course. Perfect conditions to softly ease into the experience. And it doesn’t take much to get FALKEN gliding; I’m always impressed when I see strong boats transform into what seems like featherweights at the lightest touch of air.
Pretty soon we’ll have our second lunch of the crossing, couscous salad. And as we’re going to start doing things for a second time, watching a second sunset, the novelty of the departure will slowly give way to the routine that will be our little universe on FALKEN for the coming days. What a life!
- Manot
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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!