26° 2' N, 58° 55' W
February 12 | 26° 2' N, 58° 55' W | Day 3
We’re getting into the groove. It’s our fourth day at sea, and we’re still on our high side, sailing upwind toward the north. By now, we’re all getting used to living in a world that’s constantly tilted. Cooking, cleaning, and even using the bathroom in a space that feels like a ski slope has become part of the adventure. Sailing “the wrong way” across the Atlantic has its challenges, but the only one completely unbothered is Adrienne. She’s loving it, stretching her legs a few times close to 10 knots—not bad for a 42-year-old lady.
Today, the first showers were taken after one crew member remarked, "I smell like a diesel engine." Not exactly sure what he meant, but we were definitely due for a cleanup. We also tested our luck with fishing, but with no success—unless you count the seaweed we caught, which, unfortunately, wasn’t edible. Better luck next time.
A few sail changes were made during the night—furling in the jib, deploying the genoa, taking reefs in, and shaking them out again—all under the bright light of the moon and a sky full of stars. Sometimes, it really makes you wonder if we’re all living in a simulation.
All of the crew impresses, both with their sailing skills and their care for the boat. It’s almost as clean and tidy as when we left the docks.
Dinner is now almost ready—chicken stew with rice. Looking forward to a full stomach and some much-needed rest in a few hours.
See you on the high side!
- Tim Danielson
crew@59-north.com
View more passage logs
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.