Position: 31 deg. 46.1' N, 67 deg. 9.1' W
Heading: 79 deg. M
COG: 79 deg. M
Winds: W 30-40 kt, gusting to 50 kt
Seas: 15-20 ft. swells from the West
Temp: 69 deg.
BP: 1009 mb
Notes:
Well, as it turns out it was a good thing we had the storm jib out. We were running with a 2nd reef in the main and the storm sail around 2am, when we decided to jibe for a more direct route. We realized then how hard it was blowing, and decided to pull down the main. When you're sailing dead downwind, you only feel the apparent wind speed, and can lose track of how powerful the winds are. They were blowing 30 knots without our realizing it.
We sent Kelly up on deck to bring the main into the lazyjacks. Sail ties in teeth, feet pinned against the toerail, Kelly heroically darted across the foredeck and secured the main (he asked that I emphasize the heroism). He saved all our lives again.
With just the storm jib out, we were surfing down the faces of 15 foot waves clocking 10+ knots, and cruising at 6-7 knots in the troughs. We hit 13 knots on one particularly steep wave.
The storm sail is about the size of a full size bedsheet, made of really tough canvas and constructed to withstand the strongest winds.. This small headsail was enough to keep Severance moving at hull speed, the winds were so stiff.
All night we pitched and rolled in the waves, sleeping was difficult. The watch was probably the most comfortable, because you could see what was happening. In the cabin, you just hear noises and get tossed against the leecloth sporadically. After one particularly loud crash, Wiley and I both lept out of our berths and into the cockpit. "What was that?!? Is everything ok?" Kelly, on watch, didn't know what we were talking about.
While on watch, waves would periodically crash over the stern as we'd surf down and stick in the trough, speckling the cockpit with glowing green phosphorescent algae. I turned off all the instruments and lights for a bit to watch the stars (don't tell the cap'n). The sky was clear with the milky way in full display.
When dawn broke, we realized the full size of the waves that had been tossing us all night. Some were breaking their crests, leaving a seafoam pools that looked calm conpared to their peaked neighors. Kelly has been the only person who can reliably anticipate which waves will surf well, and which will drench the cockpit. If he ducks, we follow.
Scott radioed a russian container ship and confirmed that the captain could neither sight us nor see us on radar. This was disconcerting - his vessel was clearly visible to us. This was the first boat we've seen since the day we left.
The barometer has started rising again. I believe the cold front has passed, and we've seen the worst of the storms. Bermuda is a day away.
We do receive all of the comments to the blog, so please keep commenting, and thanks for your interest.
10 comments:
With a little luck Severance will cross the reef and enter the harbour in daylight. That always makes landfall slightly less thrilling. Hope the winds keep up as predicted. Safe sailing.
Jim
Sure sign you are nearing land when you start seeing other ships.
Sounds like you are getting quite the weather. You do a good job of describing it Eric. That doesn't neccessarily mean there are a lot of people wishing they were with you.
It is likely the same storms that passed over the mid US from Sat night thru Monday morning, lots of tornados and 22 deaths at last count.
Sounds like you are handling it just fine. How well I remember the creaking noises Severance makes when she is under load. You and Wiley jumped up to see what was happening, my reaction was always to pull the covers over my head and hope that I was not asked to go up!
Kelly - keep looking after those boys!
Shore leave is coming up!!!
Glad to hear that the storm is behind you and that Bermuda is only a day away. Kelly, thanks for watching over the guys while they slept.Scott whats for dinner tonight? Eric generally brags about your cooking. Love Mom-Susan
Hi Scott,
This is Fred, your neighbor two doors to the north. I haved enjoyed following your trip and wish all of you the best of luck.
Fred
Crew,
Great reporting. Knew you would be just fine. Scott knows his vessel and has a great and capable crew. Hope to hear from you while in Bermuda.
Kevin
I see you're 11 1/2 miles from Bermuda! Thanks for letting us in on the adventure. I'll keep checking up on you.
Jim Frisch
Scott - that russian captain probably figured you were after his vodka and would not confirm you in his sighting!
Have a good stiff drink when you hit land. Sounds like things are going well so far with lots of weather excitement!
It's been great fun following the voyage. Kinda like a good book, except I don't take it to the bathroom (no wireless). I am also enjoying Eric's reporting...maybe when the journey is complete, he can write about a cook that sponsors a transatlantic sailing adventure...nah, too unbelievable. To give you an idea how sensitive I am to motion, I get queasy reading Eric's description of the big waves. I have no doubt that this trip will be anything less than a total success, I walked the Miracle Mile with Scott in Chicago, the 12 foot waves are nothing compared to women shoppers on a mission. :-D Good sailing fellas.
Shore Leave!!! Google earth identifies many bars by the dock. Great job Captain Scott and Eric, Kelly and Wiley.
Hi Eric and the rest of the crew! Terry Mull, Robyn's aunt from Ypsilanti Michigan. I am so excited for you and your family. Thanks for letting me experience this without getting sea sick! I will keep you in my prayers. Terry
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