can we help
+44(0)1983 296060
+1 757-788-8872
tell me moreJoin a rally

Menu

Two Fish - day two



We are on the hamster wheel!   The hamster wheel is a Two Fish sailing term describing the phenomenon of the predicted days until arrival never changing.   For the last twelve hours, we have had four days to go.  No one is complaining and some secretly wish that this trip could last forever as the wind and waves have been kind.  We have both the chute and the screecher flying in 12-13 knots and are making 6 to 7 knots SOG.   The current is contributing one-half knot to our progress.

Gail's banana bread's days are numbered.  Despite it having stayed in the oven 5 minutes too long, it is darn tasty.  Thanks for the recipe M/V Barefeet (formerly known as PDQ SV Barefeet).   Gail has started 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea; she is currently asking me odd questions with four letter answers so she must also be doing the crossword puzzle.   James and Jackie are fitting in quickly.   Jackie was worried about night watches but seems to have taken to them like a jib to a furler.   Tonight we will be flying our double headsail rig as long as the breeze does not shift more to the south.   If it does go south, we will roll up the screecher, raise the main and steer a course of 140 True.   

Sailing west makes easy sailing math.  You are headed on a course of 270 and the wind is from 90.   Big numbers (i.e. greater than 90) are on port jibe and small numbers (i.e. less than 90) are on starboard jibe.   We are breaking the rule, and taking the comfy but slower approach of DDW.   I feel guilty saying it in public.  

The SSB worked like a champ.   We dialed into the daily call. We heard almost everyone and they seemed to hear us; it was great to hear from the other boats.   The SSB user interface still seems rather mystical. Some boats caught yellow fin tuna, others abstained from any motoring, one broke a gooseneck and many boasted of great breakfasts.   We stuck to the facts of wind speed and sail plan.   The boat leading the call did a brilliant job.   It sounded like listening to test match cricket in the first inning.  No urgency, lots of numbers and breaks to avoid heat stroke.

We just read that the marina in Colombia uses finger print scanners.  Do I want them to have my finger prints?

The hydro-generator has been good so far.  My muted response is because I do not have enough data.   It does create some propellor noise, which at first was disconcerting.   I should have installed it on port side for the guests!  

Next update we will be halfway across Venezuela.  We are far offshore, so no chance of having dinner guests with rifles and deck scuffing shoes.


start (1 of 1)
chute practice (1 of 1)

Previous | Next