Spinnaker

Wednesday 19 June 2019

Comfortable night, if decidedly sluggish. Just barely able to keep chute full. ETA slips to Friday evening. We'll get more wind through the day, then probably swap to genoa before sunset. From then until late evening not quite enough breeze for genny, but don't want to snuff spinnaker after dark. Perhaps motor-sail with a reef. Better wind for heavy sail by early Thursday. Preceding prognosis makes enormous leap of faith that GRIB (Gratuitous Recommendation of Intoxicated Baboons) forecast is accurate. Have to play that as it comes.

In 2014 when cruising spinnaker that came with the Hylas exploded a day out of Galapagos, we contacted Tony Morelli, our sailmaker in Puerto Vallarta, who had a used one for sale from his previous boat. Although less costly than if made in French Polynesia, it was a bit dear to have it sent to Papeete and a little disappointing for the lighter weight, but (got to watch out for big buts) this has turned out to be a felicitous decision. Don't think we could have kept an ounce and a half sail flying or boat stable and moving along toward destination last night and no chance with 135% laminate genoa.

Now running up to 6.5 knots with wind dropping below 4 at times. This doesn't seem likely. Anemometer above and upwind of spinnaker sock, but may be effected by turbulence. No matter, GPS says we're getting there PDQ, forecast to be even quicker through the day and that's what counts. It's said that speed kills and baby, we're killin' it. If able to average about 5.7 after setting genoa could still arrive daylight Friday. Oh baby, oh baby. Do me, do me.

We have approval to tie up to dock at Yacht Village whenever we arrive and, if early enough, go ashore to abuse mind altering drugs - just the legal ones. Due abstinence on passage, entire crew suffering from regrettable alcohol deficiency. Given loss of conditioning, result may not be pretty, but since it's expected, we're nothing if not conscientious and will fulfill this sacred obligation.

Jack & Jan