Update from Greg:
The track set by our able navigator, Guy Druce, had us last night skirting the NW corner of the gale off of Cape Mendecino. Winds were up to 28 knots with a confused quartering sea. After suffering from a few round ups we decided to observe the old adage that a pressed boat is fast but a broken boat is slow - then shortened to a conservative sail plan for the night. Reefed main and #3 jib. We still surfed above 15 knots at times, but our braver competitors likely made up some time on us.
This morning found a more regular sea and we are back on kite and surfing along in sunny skies under 18-24 knots from the NNW. Layers of clothing are coming off and queasy looking faces and the weak appetite of some of the crew (writer included) are now a memory. The vast ocean filled with sail jelly fish is amazing. None of us have seen this many of these creatures on the NE Pacific before so the speculation is either El Nino or some other (hopefully not man-made) anomaly has produced this massive population explosion.
Things are all good here on Anduril and the routine of on/off watches is now well established. Getting off watch every 4 hours and hitting the rack is a much looked forward to reprieve. I am interrupting some rack time to write these words and will now retire to my smelly bunk, shared with brother Gord, who is on the opposite watch.
Greg
This morning found a more regular sea and we are back on kite and surfing along in sunny skies under 18-24 knots from the NNW. Layers of clothing are coming off and queasy looking faces and the weak appetite of some of the crew (writer included) are now a memory. The vast ocean filled with sail jelly fish is amazing. None of us have seen this many of these creatures on the NE Pacific before so the speculation is either El Nino or some other (hopefully not man-made) anomaly has produced this massive population explosion.
Things are all good here on Anduril and the routine of on/off watches is now well established. Getting off watch every 4 hours and hitting the rack is a much looked forward to reprieve. I am interrupting some rack time to write these words and will now retire to my smelly bunk, shared with brother Gord, who is on the opposite watch.
Greg
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