We've been broad reaching overnight in strong conditions - winds have been south easterly 20-25 kts with gusts to 30 kts. We've got the working jib and 75% of the mainsail up and are doing 7.5-8.0 kts over the ground. Mike has the new surfing record at 10.4 kts.
Unfortunately the sea is producing waves which attack us on the port quarter which induces a corkscrewing motion; this needs to be corrected by the helm very quickly or the boat will spin up to windward and we'll be heading to South America at high speed. Too much the other way and the sails flog whilst heading to the USA. Its a bit like living in a washing machine; and overnight its a bit like living in a washing machine in the dark! We'll need to download the weather forecast to see how much longer this wind will hold and then we'll make some sail changes accordingly.
On the plus side, nothing is broken and its the sort of sailing we'd all hoped for as it really suits Saltwhistle. We might make up for some places lost during all that downwind work. We've done 150 miles in the last 22
hours so could be up for a new record.
Bye for now
Tony