kind biscay
October 2, 2024, 20:35 UTC | Kind Biscay
So a quarter of the way after 36 hours and Biscay has so far been very kind to us. After reaching across the Western Approaches to the English Channel under Yankee and Main, the wind veered as predicted, so we gybed and hoisted the big pink kite to try to maintain speed. After a full day under spinnaker, it was time to drop her and ready the boat for an overnight. With batteries in need of a charge, it seemed smart to use the engine for a little extra propulsion as we need to clear ahead of the next inbound low pressure system.
Early issues with seasickness have abated, and the crew all have hearty appetites after a day of sail trim and changes. It looks as though we may have some upwind sailing after all, as conditions after Finisterre differ from earlier forecasts. Into the night we go...
- 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!