The weather decision to go was a close call. The forecast suggested a tough start with improving conditions which would turn again shortly after our planned arrival. So waiting until the 09:15 update, I made the ‘D’ to go and we were off at about 09:30. The other aspect of the later departure was that I needed to accommodate the ETA variability between a good run of 6 kts and a bad run of 4 kts and the desire for a daylight arrival.
As expected , we set off into a 15+ kts head wind right on track. The seas had already had a couple of wind blown days so we immediately started plowing the nose and taking green water over the deck every 10 or 20 waves. These events not only put strain on the boat and crew, but tended to wash off speed to around 3 kts whereupon the sails and the engine would slowly take charge again and push us back up to 5 kts +. With the wind on track we were also forced to lay off some 30 degrees or so to get some lift in the sail and this further reduces the VMG (velocity made good on course) by around 15%, turning 5 kts into just over 4 kts. Still. the plan was for things to improve by midday so until then we just had to ‘hang in’.At about 15:00 I was pretty convinced the improvement was not going to happen and as things worked out, but for about an hour where 15kts dropped to 12kts; we suffered this weather all night long. In fact, at sundown I knew we were in for a long tough night! Even so, working the 2 hrs watch system after dark, things were reasonable with some chance of a cat nap now and then but with crashes, bashes, water coming through the vents and hatch covers and a transitory electrical problem, I cannot say it was the best night of my life.
As said, we were taking half meter deep solid green water all over the foredeck from time to time and during these events, the Dorado (air) vents and the double combing hatches could not possibly hope to keep out the water that was hitting them with considerable pressure and volume. This meant wet bedding in the forward cabin and drips in the front area of the main cabin. Now none of this was in any way threatening of course but it certainly does adds to the discomfort. Such are the joys of sailing!
When finally the sun rose to a grey day and after a further 4 hours of pushing weather, we at long last hove into sight of Airlie and started feelingjust a little pleased with our effort. On arrival we anchored just outside the marina for a while ( can’t get there early or they charge another day), had a snack and started the cleanup and dry out tasks. When we did move to the marina berth, just on arrival we suffered a tacho failure which was of little concern but somehow seemed to cap off the night nicely.
We plan to stay here a day or so and let some real winds pass and of course – I’ll sort out the electrics and the tacho. Who wouldn’t own a boat!
ps: the photo is a file shot as I was a little busy for photogaphy on the night
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