Umiko - Umiko Blog 6 Halyard repairs

Dear Umiko Fans!
30.11.18 Blog 6
24 hr run 283nm
DTD 1350nm

Dear Umiko Fans!

I want to take this opportunity to wish the Skipper Sean McCarter a very happy birthday. Sean and I have been good friends for five or so years now and sailed many yachts and oceans together. He is an upstanding gentleman who will generally lead you astray! 

We were both commenting on how good this crossing has been in terms of the weather, there have been years where we have had to head north out of the canaries to play on the south side of depressions in order to get wind before pressing south through a ridge of high pressure in order to get into the trades. There have been years where we have been like “Where are the trades”! this year has been great. As a sailor though I am never happy… They are called the NE Trades because traditionally they blow from the NE. Please can they go around to the NORTH EAST! This would greatly improve my day!

UMIKO can utilise both symmetrical kites and Asymmetrical kites. Generally most people prefer Asymmetrical because there is no large spinnaker pole to contend with and as a result the kites are easier to handle. Unfortunately, we only have asymmetrical kites in our arsenal at the moment. The problem with this package is that when the wind is blowing exactly where you want to go you have to GYBE downwind, so your track looks very similar to a vessel tacking upwind. While this point of sail is still much, much, much preferable to beating upwind it does mean the distance covered and time at sea are significantly increased. A symmetrical kite allows you to sail at true wind angles in the region of 175 deepening on the sea state… or go directly where you want to! As we do not have this option, I again ask that the NE trades stick to their name and shift 10-15 degrees to the north. This would be particularly convenient as this is what the forecasts suggest and as such what I have been planning on!

As I write this we have 1350NM to go down the road to St Lucia, the road was 2700nm long so WE are Half Way.
While we are not racing there are some 250 boats all heading in the same direction so…. It sort of is a race. As such we all regularly look forward to the fleet position updates. We are doing well but the aforementioned 10-15 degree backing of the wind would work in our favour with regards to the completion we are experiencing from the south.

We went up the rig and disconnected the port kite halyard which had been experiencing chafe. I trimmed the halyard back and remade it so that we are now back on two healthy halyards. Karina has continued to do a fine job in the gally with a large selection of beautiful dishes including burger and fries , ravioli and fresh salads.
We are still regularly being attacked by flying fish. The deck looks like a warzone of scales every morning. Maybe it is our name?
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."
Walt Disney

Olly Out!