Day 2, 3, 4
31 March 2011 | S of Cuba somewhere
Peter
I'm baaaaccckk!!! This is the first chance I have had to update you on our weeklong passage. But more on the reasons in a bit.
Our second day was much like the first with flat water and fairly light breezes. We dropped the kite finally around midnight of the 2nd night as the breeze started to build. I don't want to blow it up agan!!
By the dawn of the third day I was glad we did because the wind continued to increase from 15-20k to 20-25k and the seas really started to get big. The waves -- which are always the most important to comfort -- weren't steep, which was a relief. But they were big and rolly and coming from several directions so that to do anything required moving from one handhold to another. It was quite uncomfortable and we were all starting to think "And we have how many more days of this?"
Last night the wind continued to build, eventually getting into the 30-35k range. It was a tiring day as we put in all three reefs, one at a time. The last reef went in in the dead of night around 2330 in a blow. We had Otto driving and he did better than we would have, but still not all that great. Thank God for lee cloths in our bunks or we would have all been tossed around quite a bit.
This morning wasn't much different except occasionally the waves would combine to break on our weather rail and drench whoever had the guts or unfortunate timing to be sitting there. So now we are uncomfortable AND wet!! Fortunately for us, a couple of hours ago the sea abated and while it is still quite large, it is much more comfortable....and drier! Hence I feel like I can come down and put together a blog!
We are still on track to pick up Jerry in the San Blas Islands on Monday. But there is still over 400 miles to sail, so we shall see.
Also (Jim), we are considering the coastal route to Seattle. But we may make that decision in Acapulco, after we have had a chance to spend a couple of weeks banging upwind.