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American Spirit II - Day 431; Another Great Day Sailing; Friday, March 13, 2015



One year ago today:



"Day 69; Just Sailing; & Two Joel Mini Lessons; Thursday, March 13, 2014. Sunrise. 14-15 knots of wind; speed 5.5 knots. Shook reef out of main and picked up 1/2 to 1 knot of boat speed. Because boat speed down, hydro generator not charging as much as we like. Low voltage turned freezer off. Too much east in wind, so we have to steer left of Hiva Hoa. Right after sunrise the 2 fishing lines were put in the water: a silver spoon and a yellow rebella. The rebella submerges to 15 feet or so when trolled. The silver spoon slips on the surface. Then a large flock of terns were seen concentrating on a patch of ocean, going after a school apparently. No flying fish on deck today."



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Relieved Heidi at 6:09 AM. Wind 14 knots and we're sailing at 4.6 knots thru the water and 5.7 knots over the land. Looks like it'll be a sunny day.



At 6:20 AM I rolled out 3/4 of a reef on the main; leaving 1 1/2 reefs in main. The jib was already full out.



At 9:01 AM the wind is 15 knots and we're sailing at 5.7 knots thru the water and 6.4 knots over the land.



At 6:55 AM the sun rises thru clouds already 3% above the horizon.



At 7:21 AM I ease the jib and mainsheet out as the wind is more a little more aft of the starboard beam. This is great because if we get a blow it'll be easier to handle.



I keep having to raise and lower the hydro generator as we're getting the yellow, fern like seaweed constantly attaching itself to it.



From 8:00 AM to 8:44 AM I wash two camping, non-cotton shorts. I use a 5 gallon and 2 gallon bucket. The latter I use in dragging it behind the boat to get salt water. I then pour the salt water into the 5 gallon bucket. I add soap and a little bleach, then use a blue plunger specifically designed to pull and push water thru clothes in a 5 gallon bucket. I wash the clothes twice in salt water; rinse once in salt water; and then rinse once in fresh water. Voila! I then hang the clothes on a life line to dry in the sun and wind.



At 8:45 AM the wind is 17 knots and we're sailing at 5.7 knots thru the water and 6.5 knots over the land. At 8:47 I see a rain squall approaching. I guess my clothes will get a second fresh water rinse.



Joel hosts the 10:00 AM net. Its just us and Civetta II.



Breakfast is at 10:25 AM and consists of eggs, sausage with potato, and pineapple slices. As usual, Heidi washes the dishes when the meal is over.



At 10:58 AM the wind is 15 knots and we're sailing at 5.5 knots thru the water and 5.6 knots over the land. Its sunny and beautiful out...so far.



Our noon position is 9 degrees, 6 minutes South; 55 degrees, 50 minutes West; and we're 388 miles from Grenada. We've traveled 164 miles since yesterday at an average speed of 6.8 knots.



I turned on the generator at 11:53 AM, but forgot to turn off the inverter first. So for the first 30 minutes we didn't charge anything.



From 11:50 AM to 12:20 PM I defrosted the freezer and filled some ice trays. When I take the items out of the freezer, I put them in the refrigerator.



After that I take a shower and then Joel does. We're making water with the water maker, so there's plenty to spare.



At 2:57 PM the wind is 14 knots and we're sailing at 4.9 knots thru the water and 6.3 knots over the land.



At 3:40 PM I put a 1/2 reef in the main, to 1 1/2 reefs. The boat was starting to round up too much in the 8-10 foot swells so I needed to de-power the main. Joel and Heidi are both napping at this time.



At 4:09 PM the wind is 16 knots and we're sailing at 6.0 knots thru the water and 6.9 knots over the land.



Dinner at 5:35 PM is blackened chicken cooked on the propane grill by chef Joel; 90 second Spanish Rice cooked in the micro wave; and corn kernels. It was really windy, rocky and rolly. Hard to cook outside when its like that. Good job Joel!



I host the 7:00 PM net. Again, its only Civetta II and us.



I nap from 7:15 PM to 8:45 PM, when I relieve Joel. Its a good nap. I actually get some sleep. The wind is 18 knots and we're sailing at 6.2 knots thru the water and 7.3 knots over the land. Its overcast.



At 9:02 PM I see a light lume over the horizon. It turns out to be a fishing boat, which I pass starboard abeam at 9:27 PM.



At 10:20 PM the wind is 19 knots and we're sailing at 6.7 knots thru the water and 7.7 knots over the land.



At 11:01 PM the wind is 18 knots and we're sailing at 5.8 knots thru the water and 8.0 knots over the land.



At 11:18 PM the stars come out! The Big Dipper is on the starboard beam, with its handle horizontal to the right.



Joel relieves me at midnight.



Brian Fox


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