Almost Perfect
25 June 2022 | Day 2 to Sitka
Friday 24 June 2022
Both Iridium phone (Don's) and Iridium Go were obstinately uncooperative this morning for a couple of hours when we needed a weather update. Assuming area from Hawaii to Alaska is sparsely populated, perhaps satellites are given a doze while overhead. Finally managed to get weather and send an email, so hopefully just a short nap.
Comms issue was discovered after everyone had rested following a wee bit of bother. It happened, of course, on Jan's watch just before 0400. Bad things always happen in the dark on Jan's watch. This is one of the immutable laws of nature that you may have heard about. Anyway, genoa clew blew out, sending sail flapping like a giant white pennant. Oddly same thing happened to us sailing down Mozambique Channel two days out of Richard's Bay, South Africa. Sail didn't tear, stitching, degraded from UV, failed. Today was just as fun as first time, maybe more as there were a couple extra people to be amused. It was daylight by the time we wrestled the thing into submission, lashed it to upper lifeline, winched working jib out of forepeak and got it flying. We may be a smidge slower with smaller sail area, but not much. Although she moves right along on a reach this boat generally doesn't point so well, but may do better with higher aspect foresail.
Since catastrophes happen in threes, rather than wait for that third one, have decided to count boiled eggs late morning that were slightly undercooked. Hey, shut your mouth, breakfast is serious business! Sail failure today was probably a good thing as weather is warm and dry versus in two weeks when it will be cold and rainy. Point of last sentence is to irritate people who search for dark clouds inside silver linings.
For anyone who, whatever their twisted reason, has read this blog for awhile, he, she, it or zhwa may have formed the belief that we careen from one disaster to another in an unending cascade of adversity. This is far from true as we sometimes go for days and days without incident. This often occurs when we're not near a boat, but sometimes when we are. Point is for those who dream of far horizons, don't let these niggling distractions you read about keep you from heading off across a bay, gulf or ocean to see what's on the other side or just to prove you can. The interesting things you discover about life, your world and yourself are worth the effort. Camaraderie among people with diverse experiences and personalities can hardly be had any other way and is the best thing about what we do. And I don't even like people. Jan makes me socialize. She's Canadian you know.
If by chance you're ready to do this, but are afraid of problems, just ask a broker to find for you a boat that will never have any such issues. Many will be happy to show you exactly the boat you need.
Jack & Jan