The problem of how to avoid sliding out of bed
when on a port tack has been exercising my mind and I have come up
with a couple of ideas. The first, yet to be tried, is to fix
handcuffs above the head end - port side - of the bunk to which
we can firmly attach ourselves. When I mentioned this to the crew
they all said it was a good idea and could they have some
handcuffs too - odd as they all sleep in bunks to starboard! The other
idea, which Mrs Trouble and I did try out last night with considerable
success, is to chock up the bottom - starboard end - of the bunk with something.
A mattress snaffled from the crews' quarters worked well - sure it won't
be missed!! Consequently, a very good night's sleep was had, which is just
as well because it looks as if we are going to be on port tack for the whole of
the remainder of the voyage.
There is another problem with Free Spirit and port
tacks. On port she goes at least one and a half knots slower than she does
on starboard, which is particularly frustrating in our present circumstances. We
have no idea why. My friend Andy, who knows a thing or two about these things,
suggested there might be an imbalance in the rigging allowing the mast to
bend more to starboard, I.a. on a port tack, thereby 'spilling'
wind. Thinking this must be the answer I got an expert rigger in Nanny Cay,
but he told me, with great confidence, that the rigging was perfectly
balanced. If there is anybody out there with any other ideas we would be
very pleased to hear from them. Despite the rigger's assertions I think
Andy could still be right. In the meantime we are progressing
nicely, on port tack, at an average of about 7 kts (SOG) with
favourable wind predictions for the remainder of the voyage. So, baring
unforeseen disasters we should make it to port in Spain on schedule
sometime early next week.
Log authored by Peter.
Personally, I would opt for 'soft
shackles'........read too many shades of grey!
Carole