Life on Starboard Tack
Will the upwind sailing never end?
16:45 UTC | 28° 33.969’N 054° 03.827’W
We currently travel north through the Trades towards the Azores High. Maybe there is a potential end in sight to the relentless beating to weather we’ve experienced over the last 5 days at sea. There are some perks to being close-hauled on a starboard tack for an extended period of time. The electric kettle, for example, is perfectly nestled in the corner of the galley right next to the plug.
We’ve all had a good workout on our right shoulders, as the heavy gusts produce a bit of weather helm to be overcome. Those of us who have been graced with a portside bunk have enjoyed being nestled between the hull and the mattress on off watch, while those of us who sleep on the starboard side might find ourselves having to apologize to the skipper for falling out of bed and kneeing him in the gut. (Sorry Erik, it was the boat’s fault.)
We’ve all learned how to brace ourselves for this specific tack in a fresh breeze. We occasionally wonder if the boat feels the same way, with her starboard-side rigging standing tall and taut for so long.
I have a feeling when we come about in 4 days or so, we’ll all have to relearn how to live and move about comfortably on our 70 ft home in constant motion. All is well.
// Delaney, ADRIENNE II Mate
We currently travel north through the Trades towards the Azores High. Maybe there is a potential end in sight to the relentless beating to weather we’ve experienced over the last 5 days at sea. There are some perks to being close-hauled on a starboard tack for an extended period of time. The electric kettle, for example, is perfectly nestled in the corner of the galley right next to the plug.
We’ve all had a good workout on our right shoulders, as the heavy gusts produce a bit of weather helm to be overcome. Those of us who have been graced with a portside bunk have enjoyed being nestled between the hull and the mattress on off watch, while those of us who sleep on the starboard side might find ourselves having to apologize to the skipper for falling out of bed and kneeing him in the gut. (Sorry Erik, it was the boat’s fault.)
We’ve all learned how to brace ourselves for this specific tack in a fresh breeze. We occasionally wonder if the boat feels the same way, with her starboard-side rigging standing tall and taut for so long.
I have a feeling when we come about in 4 days or so, we’ll all have to relearn how to live and move about comfortably on our 70 ft home in constant motion. All is well.
// Delaney, ADRIENNE II Mate
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