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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Ketch us if you Kan
Falken is soon to carry on our preferred route of South, back to (hopefully) warmer climates. We’re all excited to set off and see more of this wild landscape as we head down to Victoria. A thermal trough over Vancouver combined with an offshore high pressure creating funneling NW’ly winds means it is due to be pretty fruity on the 9th. This passage is just under 600 miles, relatively short for Falken, but I’m sure we’ll be kept entertained with dramatic scenery, wildlife and weather!
Final Blog
Falken and her crew arrived safely into port last night around 8pm boat time, 10pm Prince Rupert time. Some spicy weather was anticipated, but luckily the 35kt gusts and 2.5 meter waves were no match for this expert crew. We had an exceptionally smooth docking, despite it being Alex's first time parking this year (!). We all agreed that this was a very special group of people—I for one am so impressed with how everyone stayed so positive, helpful, and appreciative of humor despite an arguably challenging passage. We'll all return home significantly saltier than we were when we left, a mark of a passage properly sailed.
Lessons and a Gift
The biggest lesson is the helm. The lesson here is that even if you don't think you can do it over and over again with no sleep, cold and damp, it has to be done and so it can be done. Flying fish are cool, dolphins are really really cool, but the coolest of them all are the whales. And most of all Alex: "Find your center Carla. Always know where your center is so you can come back to it". He means the helm but it applies to life as well.