Those with a keen eye for detail will have noticed that the wind vane in the photo above is blue not red as previously and is short and squat not tall and thin. That's because it's designed for strong winds which is what we got when we skipped out of the lee of the island at around 1800 on Friday (9/7/21) evening. We were expecting it and just before had hoisted the mainsail with all three reefs in. Within a few minutes it was clear they were all needed as were lots of rolls in the genoa.
We laid a course for Santa Maria, just under 500 nautical miles to the North West and were soon bowling along in that direction. It took a little while to sort out the self steering - attaching the vane with the boat jumping about all over the place was no joke but it was finally done. Then we faffed around somewhat getting the wheel/vane/sail set up just right but eventually all was sorted and we settled down to a bumpy, wet and windy close reach for the Azores.
Once again Mick took the first watch and got absolutely soaked more than once by breaking water on the boat. When I took over at 0200, conditions were much the same but I managed to avoid a real soaking.
We changed over again at 0800 and I got some more sleep for a couple of hours. Sleep disturbed by all sorts of noises a boat makes in heavy weather but most noticeable was the banging noise the anchor mafe on its roller as it flopped from side to side. I had tried to tie it down before leaving but clearly did not make a good job of it!
After an hour or so there was a most enormous chrashing noise, a yell from Mick in the cockpit and water was pouring into the cabin through the roof. I thought the dam deck had split but then realised it was pouring in through the dorado vent in the deck. It must have taken a direct hit. Fortunately most of the water went on the cabin sole!
I relieved Mick just before midday and it looks like conditions have moderated some what. It might be time for more sail soon!
I did - a few rolls on the genoa but then about an hour later the wind was back up - not enough to warrant furling the genoa back up. The wind has backed and veered during the day requiring slight adjustments to the vane and sheets.
I felt hungy for the first time mid morning and consumed a salami sandwich. Mick's feeling a bit dicky so no food for him!
The day continued in much the same way. Fresh wind from the NE. At times it eases enough and we slow enough to make me contemplate making more sail but then it freshens again and I'm glad I didn't bother.
The boat, as I had hoped and expected takes these conditions in her stride. We are fairly close hauled and conservatively canvassed now with three reefs in the main and a couple of rolls in the genoa in around 20 knots of wind, but we're averaging around 5 knots and whilst more sail may add another 1/2-1 knot there doesn't seem much point and anyway I'm just too dam lazy.
Sailing in these conditions is not exactly enjoyable - all everday tasks are taxing especially going to the loo! So far since leaving mainland Portugal we've always been on the starboard tack. The loo is on the port side of the boat so staying on it is reasonably straightforward. Getting off it is more of a challenge. On the other tack it will be the reverse.
Mick still not a 100% so watch keeping based around his need for sleep. He sleeps in the afternoon and so I take the first night watch from around 2000. Before doing so I'm hungry enough to heat up one of Mick's excellent pre- cooked bol sauces. He risks a spoonful with half a slice of dry bread and I scoff the rest with two slices of buttered bread before hitting my bunk - the Pilot berth on the port side above the saloon table. A scramble to get into but once there quite secure on this tack. For the opposite tack I need to fit the Lee cloths Anita made.
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