A Promise is a Promise
09 February 2020
Mike
As we sailed down the canals on our way South with the wind and current at our backs we couldn't help but wonder what the trip back up would be like. We were particularly concerned about the Straights of Magellan as they are notorious for nearly constant winds blowing south down their length with seas and current to match. Our guidebook says of the region; "This area lies in the so called Polar Front, the area where powerful migratory depressions are continuously created. The Western Straights are characterized by distressingly constant bad weather. The NW frontal winds prevail and blow at an average speed of 25-30 knots, increasing to 40-50 knots during the passage of a deep depression. The conditions are worsened by the steep coast and deep valleys which divert and funnel the wind, creating violent gusts and williwaws. Winds up to 70 knots should be expected in squalls."
The U. S. Sailing Directions are no more cheerful, saying; "The prevailing wind is from the North and sometimes blows with great fury, but the principal feature of the weather here is the almost perpetual rain. As far as the rain is concerned, one season is as bad as another. Day after day there is this steady downfall, unless the vessel is so fortunate to arrive in one of those rare breaks of fine weather which sometimes occur. Then it will seem as if this is one of the most interesting of navigable waters, with smooth sea, well-sheltered anchorages, and surrounded by the most glorious scenery." This last turned out to be somewhat prophetic.
As I mentioned, we were not looking forward to the bash back up the Straights. Annette, in particular, was so concerned that it was hard for her to enjoy our time down here. Being a sensitive and attentive partner I felt her distress and promised her that our trip back up the Straights would be under sunny skies with a following wind and current. Since I was already committed I added that we would likely be flying the spinnaker as we went. As it turned out, we blundered into the Mother of all Weather Windows as we turned into the Straights. The rains stopped, the sun came out, the wind and current turned and we were able to sail downwind most of the way up the Straights, much of the time while flying our big, orange spinnaker. After all, a promise is a promise.