can we help
+44(0)1983 296060
+1 757-788-8872
tell me moreJoin a rally

Menu

Webster - Log 24: So near yet so far



Sunday 15th December: Position 14 37'N 57 07W. After a very squally and pitch black night Ken made ham and cheese omelets for breky. He doing everything he can not to lose this chief cook and bottle washer role he has assumed......he's not like this at home, his wife tells me! The boat rolling between 45 degrees to port and then to starboard gives some indication of how difficult this is, and with the boat surfing at 13+ knots.

As we close St Lucia, our ETA seems to dominate conversation, with Jerry on his Garmin giving up to the second predictions, which are all based on assumptions as to speed and velocity made good given we cannot achieve the dead down wind angle necessary to sail direct. Still, everyone in good spirits. We even cleaned out the fridge and stacked it full of the beer we have been carrying.

We have enjoyed a sparkling day's sailing, with the wind slightly abated to 22-25 knts but still big seas, some of them huge!

Ken then made a real effort in the galley, as it was Sunday, and produced steak pie, garlic mash and peas with onion gravy. Spectacular and quite an achievement given the motion of the big swells. After dinner one of these reared up and gave me a personal soaking much to the amusement of the others who evaded it all. However, a quick change and I was back on deck to watch another rogue wave smash into the side of the boat and drench both Ken and Carl. He who laughs last.......

Albert set a boat record this afternoon, hitting 14.2 knots of boat speed on a wave. The evening saw tricky steering conditions again so Carl and I were doing 2 hour shifts - too breezy for the auto helm in these seas. One or other of us hit a speed of 15.2 knots at some point but neither is sure who.

The night has been long but the miles are dropping quickly - a bit of ground rush effect maybe as we close. About 80 nm to go which will put us in around 4-5pm, but we are pushing for more speed on the right angle to beat this if we can.

Ken and I have a solemn duty to perform when we cross the line. We carry our father's ashes on board who died several years ago. He was a keen sailor and know he would have loved to have done this trip - so he has!!! We will scatter him in Rodney Bay if that looks appropriate as we get there.

Can't believe it, we are nearly there!

Charlie - Webster - (Excited!)

Previous | Next