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Lexington - Captain Bob: 3/16/17. 10*. 00' south. 121*. 33' west



My watch this morning 3-6 am. We are hauling the mail tonight. We have had 10-15 knots of wind from the stern (east wind) and when it gets close to 15 knots of wind we move up to 8-9 knots of boat speed. This is not sustained but it is not unusual to look up and see speeds in the 8s often and in the 9s if we surf down a wave. If a wave comes and the boat goes down the front of it than the boat surfs along the wave for a very brief moment. At that time there is less friction (boat sticking out of the front of the wave) and you will have greater speeds than are sustainable.

Back to the topic of what is it like to be on the boat. It is a "ride". You get used to it. No one has been Sea sick but the boat just went thru a roll that probably went from heeling to one side 25 degrees to the other side 25 degrees. Even if you are setting down you need to be braced in some way. I am in the cockpit setting with my legs across the seat and my back against the combing (back of the seating area that surrounds the cockpit) . I set this way because it is comfortable. It is comfortable because I am braced for the rolling. When you get a drink of water, you plan on how you are bracing your body to stand, how you are going to keep the glass still, how to pour(usually over sink) and hit the glass. Boats have hand rails built into the boat so you can walk thru and always have something to hold on to. Another boat saying is "you have one hand for yourself and one for the boat". That is to a degree you should always be holding on or know where you will reach to hol
d on. Putting on my pants in the morning is a moderate challenge. Imagine standing braced against a wall standing on one foot trying to put the other foot in a pants leg. Imagine setting down on a head (toilet) when it might come up to meet you or might go away from you. Imagine being asleep and your bed tilts 25 degrees. That is why we have lee cloths, canvas to keep you from rolling out of bed. Lee cloths are better when you are heeled consistently to one side. The "lee" side is the down wind side to which the boat heels so you roll up against the lee cloth to brace yourself while sleeping. It is not as bad as I am making it sound but then again, I am setting here with a life vest on and teathered to the boat so it can not heave me out over the side with an unexpected movement. At the end of the Caribbean 1500 they award a prize for the largest bruise. I have seen some real winners!

That is my taste of being on the boat. I will close for now. May fair winds fill your sails with gentle motion! (But not too slow)
Bob

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