We had an amazing 24 hour run to Tuesday lunch time, 210 miles with an average speed of 8.75knots – pretty much the boats hull speed so not too shabby for Coyote II. It was amazing spinnaker sailing and the 6 of us under skipper Matts expert tuition and only 10 days of sailing together thought we had sussed it – and then wild Wednesday struck! I would love to say that there was a phantom 7th crew member who was here to sabotage our every move or that things broke but honestly we just got struck down by a serious dose of muppetry after getting over excited about how fast we were going and how quickly we would be tasting our first rum in St. Lucia. We hoisted the kite without attaching the clew to the sheet and guy – which provides some challenges in the trimming department. We eventually got it out of the water and hoisted again and spotted a couple of tiny holes that needed repairing. When we then dropped the kite and put up the whites we managed to wrap the headsail around the forestay and that took a little bit of effort to sort out.
We have certainly learnt a great deal and know a lot more on the list of what not to do. As for us on board – we have all calmed down a bit and had a few hours of revitalising sleep at night however the humidity and the confused sea state has been making the night shifts quite interesting. Its hard to tell the difference between the horizon and the sea as it is so dark and in those hours before dawn that truly are the darkest you often feel like you are sailing around in circles. The clouds build at night with a speed that is extraordinary, one minute the sky is clear just filled with stars and so many shooting that it is possible to run out of wishes. The clouds quickly become evil and those of us sitting on deck try to give them names and stories to take the menacing feel away before they suck the air out, shift the wind and then smack you from behind with some extraordinary wind speed – in a 40 foot boat it is incredibly humbling!
Despite wild Wednesday – the crew of Coyote II is doing well – there is always something to laugh at, boat humour never translates to the land. We are treated on a daily basis to amazing sites – whether it’s the sea birds, dolphins, the blast from a whale or a meteor at night exploding with a bright green flash as it enters our atmosphere – I can honestly say right now there is no where else I would rather be. Last thing from me is to wish my Mum a belated happy birthday for what will always be known as wild Wednesday on Coyote II.
Love to all, Jane