Departure
October 1, 2024, 12:24 UTC | Departure from Plymouth
The nasty low pressure that had us all wet and bothered has finally passed, leaving us with a nice weather window to set off to Portugal. It can't possibly be real that the majority of this trip south could be downwind, and yet early forecasts suggest exactly that. The crew are pumped and ready, with passage plans complete and watch bills briefed. As I type, Plymouth is getting further behind us, and the wind gods are being kind. The watches have begun as we settle into our life aboard FALKEN. Next stop, Portugal.
- Emily
EmilyCaruso
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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!