Day Four - Forty South
Where Next?
Bob Williams
Sat 18 Dec 2021 02:35
Course: SSE Speed 5.5 knots
Wind: W, F3 Sea: moderate
Swell: SW, 2 meters
Weather: sunny and mild
Day's Run: 142 nm
The wind has been up and down over the last 24 hours, particularly around 0200 as a weak front passed through, requiring a reef in the main and rolling up some of the jib. (Though I am sailing fairly conservatively at the moment so as to not stress the stitches in my hand. Thus far they are holding up to the rigours of working a small boat but I don't want to push my luck.)
With the passage of the front came the usual wind shift into the west, which required a gybe. Initially I poled the jib out to starboard for balance but come 0400 the wind backed further into the SW and freshened, requiring a second reef and coming onto a beam reach to maintain our track. I am trying to remain west of the rhumb line to South West Cape as the forecast is for the winds to strengthen from the W and SW tomorrow as another front passes through, and I do not want to end up too close to the Tasmanian coast and then having to claw my way to windward off its rugged rock bound shore.
Noon today marks our crossing into the 'roaring' forties. Hopefully there won't be too much roaring for a while yet, though Wayne advised Mark during last night's radio sked that Coconut can expect a small taste of the forties reputation over the next couple of days. However, for now, in Sylph's corner of the world the winds have eased, the sun is shining and life is pleasant.
All is well.