February 19, Day 10 | Fun sailing and a speedy passage!
The ten-man crew of Adrienne have had about ten days at sea and maybe a week more before we arrive in the Canaries. Life revolves around the winds and watch schedule to sail the best through those winds. Those winds not only propel the yacht forward but also supply the energy for the waves. Higher winds here or somewhere make bigger waves. Waves come in all shapes as well, with some friendly and others troublesome. We have had it all, making steering at times arduous as you muscle your way down a narrow path to control the boat. Do it right and it is marvelous; do it wrong and it can cause havoc.
We are lucky to have a skilled crew who have learned how Adrienne handles in all the varied conditions coming our way. Especially skilled are the Captain and First Mate. They know their sailing. They have gently kept us sailing efficiently and taught us the skills necessary to manage a big boat at sea. Especially critical on this voyage is navigating amongst the constant passing of cold fronts and warm fronts. Catch the fronts right and it is "smooth" sailing. Catch them wrong and it makes for prolonged misery. Our Captain, with his computers and land-based help, has led us through the maze to get the best results for fun sailing and a speedy passage. I hope for the same during the remaining week.
- Tom Coan, ADRIENNE crew
crew@59-north.com
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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!