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
View more passage logs
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!