L'Eau Commotion Westabout

Day 17 6pm Monday 24th June 2019
As the wind passed through 25 knots the staysail was furled and the main only was used as the wind increased to a steady 32 to 35 knots, though never exceeding this. It was uncomfortable with the odd wave breaking against the hull and occasionally over the cabin and into the cockpit but even though the lee gun'l was often immersed with an impressive whoosh as we were making good time I felt the sail area was about right. The full main and jib are good for a breeze of 14 knots from forward of the mast, then the first reef in the main at 18 knots, the jib furled and staysail set at 22 knots and then the second reef in the main beyond that. The sails shown were all made by Adrian and Jesse of Switch Sails and the double reefs in the main so set to triangulate at the upper spreaders. Because I found I was often reefing the prior main fairly early it was decided to have the new main 500 mm shorter on the boom, no headboard and of course as mentioned the mast is now 350 mm shorter. I am sure the rig from David Lambourne and the sails from Adrian and Jesse will be shown to be fit for purpose.
Though the 35 knots was forecast to last until midday it eased at dawn to below 30 knots so a pleasant morning was spent doing nothing but watch the miles tick by. The current light SW change came through on time at 4pm but some work will be needed through the night.