This morning started with a seamless gybe, including the pole—Vilgot was suitably impressed with Dolphin watch’s speed at their first gybe with the pole. Since then, we’ve been in gorgeous sailing conditions, heading straight to our waypoint just above Barranquilla. As the wind shifted east, the other watch (yet to be named, but apparently ‘No Dolphin’ watch isn’t a winner) took the pole down. Since then, we’ve simply been surfing along with speeds of up to 13.8 knots according to JP’s watch.
Now that everyone has become far more confident in their helming, a friendly competition seems to be taking place for best speed. A surf down a wave is now frequently followed by an announcement of top speed reached!
As mentioned, we’ve had some dolphins accompanying us several times now. Unfortunately for the others, they only bless us with their presence when Janelle, Troy, Daniel, and Nick are on deck.
During glums and glows tonight, we were majority GLUM FREE—WOOHOO! The overarching glows were the opportunity for a visit to the outdoor spa provided on board (we’re certainly all smelling fresher) and, of course, the sunshine sailing we’ve had all day.
Everyone says hello to back home—we love the comments, so please keep them coming!
—FALKEN Crew
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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!