Day Twelve - Steady Progress
Where Next?
Bob Williams
Sun 26 Dec 2021 01:19
Course: ESE Speed: 6.5 knots
Wind: W, F6 Sea: moderate
Swell: SW, 4 meters
Weather: partly cloudy, cool
Day's Run: 156 nm
For the last 24 hours we have been running wing-on-wing with the fresh to strong W'ly breeze on the starboard quarter. Yesterday we had been running with two reefs in the main and 70% of the jib but before turning in for the night I reduced sail to three reefs in the main and 40% jib to afford a more restful sleep. Despite the reduction in sail area Sylph has still maintained an average speed of 6.5 knots.
The night passed uneventfully and this morning I unrolled a bit more jib. I thought about shaking out a reef in the main, but Sylph was still making a comfortable six knots so I saw little point in stressing the rig (and me) unnecessarily and let things be.
The swell has increased significantly over the last twelve hours, by my estimate doubling from two to four meters. At this stage the wind vane self-steering is managing the conditions well.
For now we remain in Tasmanian time (-11). I will probably skip time zone -12 and go straight to NZ daylight time (-13) when we get a bit further east.
All is well.