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<\/p>\nOne thousand nautical miles to go! I\u2019m delighted to report we\u2019re finally on the home stretch. On realising what could\u2019ve been a 2,600 nm passage had we been able to sail the rhumb line, was depressingly turning into a trip closer to 3,000 nm; we decided to postpone a halfway party and instead celebrate when the remaining distance was down to three figures. So what if we took the scenic route across the Atlantic\u2026?<\/p>\n
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After sailing swift winds departing Cape Verde, we next played a frustrating game of cat and mouse chasing the forecast wind further south, ultimately adding more distance to our overall passage. Thankfully we found a solid 15 \u2013 20 knots for several days, sailing at times under main and foresail and a few blissful days and nights cruising along under our brilliant Parasailor. Given the trade winds are still very much NE to ENE, we\u2019ve managed to keep the Parasailor aloft with an apparent wind angle of 110 degrees. Meaning we\u2019ve had the sail efficiently flying far diagonally off the port forward quarter, rather than just directly forward of the bow.<\/p>\n
The Parasailor is fantastic for downwind trade wind sailing but it\u2019s important to keep a close watch for chafing of sheets (ropes) where they cross shrouds, lifelines and stanchions or through blocks. We\u2019ve attached garden hose, gaff tape, old towel \u2013 whatever works to protect the sheets from wearing.<\/p>\n
There were a few days with a confused double swell. A short following swell and a longer side-on swell that\u2019d likely travelled a great distance from a heavy low-pressure system off the American east coast. Whenever turning slightly upwind, a constant slamming of waves catching under the hull and movement from the converging swell made conditions uncomfortable and sleeping difficult.<\/p>\n
Since then we\u2019ve endured three solid days of motoring in 6 \u2013 10 knots of wind and gentle seas. Our catamaran is already a heavy boat; add that we\u2019re fully loaded with diesel, water, provisions, people and personal effects we need 12 or more knots of wind to make worthwhile forward progress. Who\u2019d have thought we\u2019d be out here motoring in the mid-Atlantic??<\/p>\n
Fortunately there\u2019s plenty of diesel on board. If we didn\u2019t motor or motor sail, many days will have been wasted either becalmed or moving forward at a futile crawling pace, easily turning our passage into a month-long trip.<\/p>\n
The benign conditions bring back memories of endless days motoring around the Mediterranean, except there\u2019s not another boat, landmass or sign of life in sight; other than the flying fish. Currently the ocean is sedate and mesmerising. Fighting boredom is a daily test for some, so with true wind as low as 5.5 knots we stopped for a refreshing mid-Atlantic swim. Jumping in is intimidating knowing the seafloor is 4,000 metres below.<\/p>\n
Oh the seaweed\u2026 it\u2019s playing havoc with our fishing lines and catching on the keels and rudders creating an incredible amount of drag, often slowing the boat speed by 1 \u2013 1.5 knots. Every now and then we\u2019ve cut engines, reversed slowly and dropped off the weed. Yesterday we ran over a massive clump that instantly slowed the boat, catching on a rudder and turning us off to starboard. Seriously where on earth has it travelled from?<\/p>\n
Fish is back on the menu! We\u2019ve been trolling two lines whenever conditions allow and finally got our first bites on day 12. Dad brought a mahi mahi (aka dorado, dolphin fish) to the stern only for the fish to flick free when pulled out of the water. Several heavy hits on the hand reel followed but turned out to be drag from pesky seaweed. The following morning, within minutes of putting a line out it was off with a ZING. Given there\u2019s not too much happening during the day the whir of a running line makes everyone jump to attention. \u201cFish on!\u201d To the crew\u2019s delight Mike reeled in a 4kg blue and yellow mahi mahi and Dad swiftly hooked the gaff before the fish had a chance to escape. Nothing beats lunch and dinner plucked fresh from the ocean.<\/p>\n
We could find an extra few knots of wind a latitude degree or two further south, but the 60 \u2013 120 nm we must travel to get there is simply not worth it. Our SailGrib weather forecasts (downloaded to tablet via our new technology satellite Iridium GO) have been remarkably accurate throughout the trip and are promising a lovely 15 \u2013 20 knots of easterly breeze from early Friday through the rest of our trip. Fingers and toes are crossed for a Parasail all the way to the Martinique finish line.<\/p>\n
I understand we were offline on the Cornell Sailing tracking map for a while, though we are back on the map for anyone interested in following our final week at sea<\/a> (visit our Facebook page for the link).<\/p>\n Bye for now from all on board and we\u2019ll be in touch again with an ETA in our sight!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One thousand nautical miles to go! I\u2019m delighted to report we\u2019re finally on the home stretch. On realising what could\u2019ve been a 2,600 nm passage had we been able to sail the rhumb line, was …<\/p>\n