El Gran Roque

November 14

There I was. It was past midnight. The sea was a maelstrom of savage fury. All I could see on the instruments was the manufacturer's name.

Actually, increasing seas and veering 18 to 20 knot apparent wind with reefed main caused difficult steering and boat to occasionally roll rail to rail. Also, awesome speed would have resulted in arrival well before sunrise, so thought it a good idea to furl main and coast in on yankee. Initially trimmed jib, released boom preventer and eased main sheet, then headed up for the drop. This proved a smidge more rambunctious than entirely obligatory, so planned to fall back to previous course, start motor, furl headsail, trim main and power straight to windward. As boat approached old heading a wave caught the stern and, with some momentum remaining, swung it hard to starboard onto a broach. Lee side of mainsail caught the wind and, eased far out without preventer, crash jibed cleanly breaking boom just forward of sheet block. After lashing all flailing bits into immobility, coasted in after daylight under yankee, just as anticipated. Don't you love it when a plan comes together?

Anchored by Isla Francisquis in Los Roques to clean up mess and get a few winks. Nothing else injured in mishap. Scant moments into nap, an exuberant group inhabiting large, AC generator equipped catamaran anchored next door. Only a huge draw of amps could permit cranking stereo that loud. After noting the din, rolled over for rest of rest. Awoke, afterward, to Spanish band living in my head.

Now beating feet for Bonaire to repair old or find new boom. Although a bit rolly, running down swell, conditions are very benign. Look to be in around noon tomorrow. Hope Kralendijk natives speak something besides Dutch. Don't speak that, but can usually get by in English, except with Liz, who claims I either don't tell her a thing or say things that seem highly unlikely. Must be the accent.

Jack