Week 4 stats and the calms
11 February 2011 | South Atlantic
Casey
Week 4 was a very calm week. We had about 2.5 days with 0-5 kts of wind. With less then 5 kts of wind, and with any swell on the sea, the sails slap back and forth violently as the boat rolls and we are obliged to take them down as not to cause damage, or to drive us crazy with the constant banging and jerking. We also used the engine for the first time since leaving the Falklands and motored for about 24 hours, 110 miles of the flat calm. The other day and a half worth we have just taken down the sails and bobbed around with the birds. When the wind dies the birds prefer not to fly so they land to rest. A few of the braver shearwaters and albatross swim very close to the boat and eat cookies, crackers, cheese and sardines we throw to them from our cockpit snack times. They are quite good company and nice to watch.
Week 4 stats Miles to go-796 Miles sailed- 595 (about 110 with the engine) Total miles made good- 2560 Average daily run- 85 Ave speed- 3.5 kts Ave wind-10-12 kts max wind- 20 calm-2.5 days engine hours-24 aprox 110 miles heater- 0 weather is getting much warmer ave temps in day are low 70's fuel used- 48 liters fuel remaining-191 liters best day -120 worst day- 50
After starting with a 43 mile day, week 5 is shape up and could be a good one. A series of low pressures are passing far to the south and we should benefit from their cold fronts that bring us stronger NW wind. We currently are making 6.5 kts in 25-30 NW wind and are on our course. We have been in contact with a maritime weather net in South Africa, so have some local info on the approach to the cape. Yachts are warned to approach Capetown from far to the SW so not to be swept past by the strong north setting current, and often strong SE wind on the coast. Hence we are heading to a waypoint 37S 17E which is about 180 miles SSW of the landfall. The last miles should be helped by the 3-4 kt current, as long as the wind isnt blowing against it. We will adjust course as we get closer based on the wind forecast.