Day 66 – Southerly Gale
Where Next?
Bob Williams
Thu 17 Feb 2022 16:14
Course: N by E Speed: 6 knots
Wind: SSE, F7 Sea: rough
Swell: S 4 meters
Weather: overcast, cool
Day’s Run: 144nm sailed, 120nm made good
The change came as forecast but not from the SW but from the SE. Clearly the low pressure system had passed to the north of us and not to the south as Sylph’s ineffable forecaster had presumably expected. He got the wind strength pretty much right, however, and we are running before a force seven, near gale, under staysail and 30% jib, having handed the mainsail at 0330 this morning, at which time the wind was working its way up to a force eight, fresh gale.
The winds being strong from the SE naturally means the seas have also built up from the south which has required us to run off to the north. Consequently we are not making much easting at the moment. This is okay because I really would like to get into some nicer weather for a while and we are not going to find it down here in the high forties. I reckon we will aim for about 45°S and see how we go from there.
All is well.