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Blue Ocean - Day 15/16: Remarkably fast



On 4am-8am (boat time) watch.
 
Now that the tradewinds have kicked in and, in the last 12 hours strengthened, we are clocking up some impressive speeds. Currently under single reefed main and 75% rolled genoa (probably a bit over-canvassed) we are clocking up a consistent 10 knots plus.
 
We celebrated breaking the 500nm barrier during supper yesterday and it looks like we will break the 400nm barrier before the end of this watch.
 
Sleeping is difficult as the sea is choppy and the noise of rushing/slamming water and straining ropes more noticeable than when going more slowly.
 
It is Yellow Watch’s (final?) turn to cook and I am trying to get some bread baked for breakfast. But, as a petulant TV chief might say, “how can I be expected to work under such conditions!”. Even though we are not heeling or ‘corkscrewing’ in a way that a monohull might, there is still quite a bit of jerking and rolling around. Things tend to slide around rather than tip, and we are short of sufficient non-slip matting to ensure that things that should not slip stay put.
 
Vin and Darek (the rest of Yellow Watch) are in the driving seat and on look-out whilst I am bread-making. I think that Vin is actually reading National Geographic on his ipad. Surprisingly, we are seeing only the odd commercial ship on the AIS or radar – no other ARC boats yet. We do know that several are close and are looking to racing them in to St. Lucia.
 
Oh, and briefly saw some dolphins yesterday. They seemed to be in a hurry to go somewhere and didnt stop to play.
 
Bye
 
Craig
PS: I seem to have developed a craving for ice cream which is going to have to wait until St. Lucia to be satisfied. So, if anyone is reading this in St. Lucia, can I please place an advance order for a large ice cream sundae to go with my rum punch. Thanks.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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