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Adagio - It's "Sporty"!



5/19/2016

I've heard it said that while most people talk about the weather, sailors are the ones who live it. I know there are other professions (pilots, for instances) that have an equally intimate connection to the weather but I believe that the sailor is the one person who comes as close to the definition of 'purist' as it gets. Pretty much every aspect of weather directly affects the sailor.
Nothing matters more to the sailboat than wind. It moves us along, it directs our course and our course of action. We make decision after decision based on current and forecast wind conditions; to either catch more of it or avoid the worst of it.

I'm writing today about the wind and weather because, of course, we're out there in it. The low pressure systems that skate across latitudes north of us bring brisk winds and unsettled seas today. Nothing dangerous, but certainly worthy of diligent attention to sail configuration and trim as well as exposure to a bit of a rocky, rolling sea. It's thrilling in its own right and we are really cruising right along toward our destination as a good clip.

"Sporty" weather, as it is sometimes called .. or maybe 'spirited' ... seems to me to be the point where the wind picks up, the seas pick up and the boat and crew picks up all at the same time. Adagio is pretty happy in the 25 knot winds and handles the swells without too much discomfort aboard. Occasionally a wave will crest just as we plow into it creating a great spray of saltwater and a loud "crack' against the side of the hull as it slaps against the wave. If you happen to be sitting in just the right spot you can be treated to quite a saltwater washdown when you least expect it (yeah, you can ask how I know that...).


The very good part about "sporty" sailing is that it is fun and we can make good time. We are clocking quite a few miles under our keel with this wind and I hope it holds out for some time to come. Adagio is a cruiser and not a 'performance' sailboat. Nonetheless, she will kick up her heels and get right along when there is 25 knots of wind to be had. Properly trimmed and reefed she will also offer a relatively comfortable ride.
The not so good part is that when we start approaching "really sporty" it gets a bit uncomfortable to move about requiring slow and deliberate care to avoid bumping, banging or being surprised by something that now presents itself differently than when the boat is straight up and going along in smooth water. Sleeping against a lee board works well, except for the times that we get jostled pretty hard and then it is uncomfortable to meet that board after you've been suddenly rolled away from and then back to it.

Adagio is handling this 'sporty' part well, as is her crew. We are thankful for the boost in speed and are wondering if the fastest boats in the fleet, in the same kind of weather, may just be able to beat the all time record for the fastest passage from Bermuda to Horta on the ARC Rally (I know that the fastest boats are far ahead of us already!).

Looks like the forecast is for continued 'sporty' conditions for the next day or two. After that we'll see what the North Atlantic has to offer us. In the meantime, we're going to hang in there and enjoy the ride!

Gary
Adagio

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