Day 2
June 19, 2024 | 19:30 UTC
As we left the harbor, we had to make the decision to either turn east or west. From the weather forecast, heading west meant sailing upwind in a light breeze for 24 hours, then motoring for a while as we would pass through the center of the high before sailing on a broad reach as we entered the western sector of the high and started to sail downwind. Heading east would mean three days of upwind sailing in a fresh breeze with the accompanying sea state, before the wind would swing southwest on Friday. We all agreed that three days upwind was disagreeable, so west it was.
So far, the forecast has been spot on. We had a very pleasant sail to start with: 12 knots true on a flattish sea with just a 15-degree heel. This afternoon we started motoring, but should find wind again later tonight. This gave everyone time to find their sea legs and to get used to helming and sailing on Falken. Once the southwesterly wind fills in, we should have a fast and fun run almost all the way to Ireland.
On a different note, we have already seen an incredible amount of wildlife: from birds to several whales (one right next to the boat), to dolphins and big game fish jumping. So far, it has been a very enjoyable trip.
Fair winds and a following sea,
Chris
ChrisKobusch
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People Get Ready!
The last three days have been an intense (and intensely hot) period of discovery, practice, and planning. Because Adrienne II is not a 59N boat, there's been some extra setup and coordination needed including rigging all the sails that were out for repairs before we arrived. Its been a blast working alongside the 59N team getting to help them work things out on a less familiar boat in real time. Tomorrow morning we'll run through our Person Over Board training as the final pre-departure task, cast off and head out. Can't know all that it will be, but its going to be a great adventure out in the vast world with some pretty fantastic people.
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.