Thursday 20 June 2019

Well, something worked out. Wind came up and veered to alleviate awkward transition between spinnaker and genoa. We're running in 14 knots of apparent wind, 125 off port bow, heading directly to Jacare at around 6 knots heeled, but without much rolling. Better than expected. However, sea is forecast to increase back to 2 meters or more. That could give us a bit of a jiggle and possibly incur a slowdown or a comedown.

- Later

And something didn't. True wind now above 20 taking apparent as high as 19, sea state lumpier, boat speed faster and motion rather frenetic. Forecast to get worse before it gets better. Can't see mast very well until sun comes up in a couple of hours.

- Laterer

Pretty rough morning with two wave trains creating peaks in sea and jerky ride. Not conducive to any of the five happinesses. Wind will, he said with great conviction, but with some trepidation, begin easing. According to GRIB (Gadzooks Ramblers, It's Beastly) sea is forecast to suck through tomorrow. We've adjusted various headings, strings and things and ride's a bit smoother, but still rolling rather badly. Course well north of destination, but hope to turn up into falling breeze. We are making good time and, assuming all holds together, late afternoon tomorrow arrival not out of the question. It would be a substantial vexation to get this close after more than a week and have the thing fall apart.

Since we left the African coast sea has been particularly free of other boats. Now we're beginning to see a few and expect sightings to increase closing South American coast. Just had a .184 NM long tanker, inbound we speculate to Sao Luis, turn to parallel our course and pass 7 NM away before turning back across our bow. Wouldn't have gotten very close had he gone straight. Must have been bored or thought we looked Somali. Perhaps captain is one of three people in the universe who doesn't like Canadians.

Jack & Jan