Day 148 – South Latitude
Where Next?
Bob Williams
Tue 10 May 2022 07:35
Course: SE Speed: 7 knots
Wind: SW F4 Sea: moderate
Swell: W 2m
Weather: overcast, warm, humid
Day’s Run: 187 nm
The highlight of the last 24 hours was crossing the equator at 1758 yesterday evening and returning once more to our home hemisphere. Our foray into the north is now complete, and the box for that component of our circumnavigation has been checked. Hooray!
The wind has on average remained fresh from the SW but with numerous rain squalls passing over. Consequently I have taken the second reef in and out of the main on numerous occasions. However, overnight the sky has transformed from a kaleidoscope of complex cloud patterns with patches of clear sky broken by high cirrus and numerous large cumulonimbus clouds to a uniform grey stratus cloud. So it seems unlikely that we should be caught out by any more thunderheads and their sudden squalls suddenly descending upon us. We now have only one reef in the main and full headsail, and if conditions remain as they are I will shake out the last reef shortly.
Despite the squally conditions, we have made another excellent day’s run. The Equatorial Counter-current has been of significant help. I calculate that at times it has been running at up to three knots in our favour and that overall it has added some fifty miles to our day’s run. It would be nice to think that perhaps Sylph had sprouted some wings during this voyage but I am afraid it isn’t so, her consistent top speed remains around six and a half knots. I am not complaining, thus far old Sylph has performed most admirably.
All is well.