Dec. 21, 2011
29.50 N, 59.58 W, Course SE, Wind light
In our last update, we sent a picture of the crew in the cockpit together. The ocean didn’t show it but we were bounding along at over six knots. Shortly thereafter we decided to shorten sail as the wind increased. It seemed like the wind picked up even more and before we got the mainsail down there was a tear in the leach. After dark, the wind increased more from the SW and because with just the staysail up we could only run off the wind, we lowered all sail and rode the storm under “bare poles.” The wind howled and the weather forecast said “winds gusting up to 50 knots.” The waves were bigger than any we have seen the whole voyage. After two days the storm calmed down and we raised sail again. We marveled at the big transparent waves and the low rainbows that came with afternoon squalls. There were lots of leaks and spilled food but we survived again.
Now we are drifting and bobbing in smooth seas. Alex threw the fishing line and caught our fist mahi-mahi. After a long awaited fish feast, everybody got back to sewing sails and routine maintenance jobs basking in the warmest sun yet. Our stereo speakers are on deck and everybody is listening to Christmas music. Darshen’s favorite music are the songs sung by the little boy choirs.
Note: Photo by Andy Cronin
