Sailing into the Big Blue
08 November 2010 | South Atlantic Ocean
Vince and Chris
When we left Cape Town there were about eight other yachts from Tui Marine, all preparing to depart. As the weather was building I decided to depart quickly as it would get us off to a 'quick' start. The wind was swinging round to the SE and we wanted to be out there ready for it to sail up the coast with the assistance of currents.
When the wind did arrive the following morning, we put a reef in the
main and full genoa that got us speeds of 9 to 10 knots SOG. With overcast skies we went hurtling up the coast as I wanted to go as far as Luderitz before turning west and heading for St. Helena. My Nubie crew were settling in and Chris asked if he could put his rod out, to test the waters, and proceeded to catch a small mackerel. Then two days later he caught a very small marlin which was released back to the ocean. Eventually the winds died and we had to fire up the engines. The batteries were very grateful as they needed a charge. We then motor-sailed all the way to St. Helena, arriving at midnight after 12 days at sea. That evening at sunset, my hand line caught us a fine size Dorado which was filleted and put in the fridge. We did not stop as it would have wasted up to 20 hours so pushed on for Fortaleza, still motoring, wondering when 'Isis' was going to appear. When she did arrive, up went the sails and we were sailing again with the sail 'goosewinged' and getting good speeds.
So life on board the good ship 'Eish' goes on and we are now only 1600nm
from Foraleza with chilly overcast skies and grey seas.
Vince and crew