Trades Arrive
27 November 2017 | Southern North Atlantic
Ted
The trades have arrived in all their glory, 15-20 kts from NE. We are downwind running under 2nd reefed main and genoa making way generally to the SW at 6 kts using the wind vane 100%. Things are starting to sink in that we have a long way to go, a little over 2100 miles. The Raymarine jokingly says we will be there on 13 December but who really knows. We are letting the cooler and freezer drift in temperature turning them on for an hour in the AM and PM. We only communicate twice per day but reception is still OK, even at 2600 miles from Winlink stations. The object is to conserve fuel. I am a little frustrated that the water generator did not work when we deployed it as it would extend our time between charges significantly. We were lucky to retrieve it successfully. I will tear it apart to replace brushes and bearings. This time test it before it goes into the water.
Life on board is starting to settle into a routine with coffee in AM followed by the ARC HF net at noon, lunch, nap, dollup, dinner, and night followed by day. The HF net is sometimes interesting some times jesting about a virtual cocktail or dinner party. Inviting everyone on the net to join them. They have little to fear about their liquor supply being drained. Although one boat broke a bottle of Red wine on their beige carpet. Discussion sessions are interesting. Everyone seems to be getting enough sleep. I was given a day off today and had to promise not to fix anything. A difficult thing to do for me.