Or the Doldrums
Bruce and the other Weather Gurus call it the Inter Tropical Covergence
Zone (ITCZ). The rest of us think of it as the Doldrums. Whatever,
it is the area near the Equator where the wind don't blow and the sailing boats
don't go, though they have always had the problem of getting through it.
The only point for debate is how far we are from the other side of it, and what
is the best tactic for getting through it to the nirvana of the North East Trade
Winds beyond. The only satisfaction (if it is that) is that all the other
World ARC boats except Baccalieu are in the same weather as we are. And
the only reason that Baccalieu is not is that she alone has now crossed the
Equator and has reached - she hopes - the Far Side. The rest of the fleet
is motoring hard or not so hard to try and get through as expeditiously as
possible. We managed to sail steadily all through the night, though, even
if we were forced more to the East and less to the North than we would have
wished. Our strategy is to sail where the wind takes us when it blows, and
to motor more to the North when it does not. Lets hope Bruce comes up with
some strategic thoughts for us; although the sun is shining at present, it could
be a dull and wet few days. We will keep you posted.
The Skipper has been busy. Apart from sleeping, he has mended one
light and had a go at the antenna for the AIS. The former now works;
whether he has improved the latter remains to be seen. He lives in
hope. Volker is cooking today, and Paul is as busy as usual, generally
putting Cleone into the sort of order she should be in, and not the chaos she
was in!
Meanwhile, all is well with us, and very best wishes to you all.
James, Paul and Volker
Yacht Cleone
03o04'S 37o05'W