Light and Fickle
Where Next?
Bob Williams
Wed 17 Feb 2021 23:43
Course: ENE Speed 2.5 knots
Wind: NNE F@ Sea: calm Swell: SW 2.5 meters
Weather: sunny, mild
Day’s run: 65 nm
With a great big high pressure system dominating the Tasman Sea (the barometer currently reads 1035 Hpa), conditions continue light and fickle. We sail when we can, motor when we can’t, and when we are sick of the engine noise and need a rest we drift. Over the last 24 hours we have sailed for 19 ½ hours, motored for 9 ½ hours, and drifted for 3. We have managed to cover 65 miles, mostly in the right direction, probably over 70% of them under motor. The swell has smoothed out somewhat but continues to dominate from the SW, meaning that we need about 6 knots of breeze to keep the sails from slatting excessively. Fortunately, the swell direction is from astern, otherwise we would need even more wind to keep the sails full.
The weather facsimiles show that the high will move slowly east over the next few days so these light conditions will no doubt continue. At least it’s better than having strong headwinds (though we have a way to go yet).
All is well.