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
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
View more passage logs
Dolphin party!
Kate was about to yank the spinnaker’s sock down when I spotted a stampede of fins heading straight for us. ”Dolphins!”, I yelled back to the cockpit excitedly. Post dinner dish duty was halted down below for the show.
The pool is open!
We stopped the boat, got the ladder down and put out a line with a fender behind the boat. I love swimming in the middle of the ocean, and a bit scary when you realize its more than 4000+ m deep! Love it!
Big Pink Sail Day
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.