Wednesday 3rd December
2014
Whilst crossing the pond, we’ve
signed up to assist a study into marine microplastics. You’ve probably heard
about concerns regarding micro and nano plastic particles entering the food
chain. There are huge areas of floating plastic (the size of small countries) in
the oceans which are slowly breaking down and releasing small particles of
plastic which then enter the food chain. Not enough is known about the extent
and concentration of these particles and what effects they may have upon the
food chain. We are one of a number of boats in the ARC fleet who have
volunteered to take samples of sea water every three days, noting date,
time, sample ID, location (lat and long) wind speed wind direction and water
temperature. There is a strict methodology to the taking of samples, which we
hand over for analysis when we get to St Lucia. If you’d like to know more,
please visit: [email protected].
We had a difficult decision to take
last night; do we continue going fast in the wrong direction or slower in the
right direction? It may sound like a no brainer to many of you; however, like
many of these decisions it was highly nuanced and marginal.
Under a reefed main and full genoa
our course over the ground was at best 270°M (starboard tack sailing as close to
the lee as was safe with rolling seas), whilst our rhum line to our destination
was approximately 260°. Whilst we were making excellent speed 8-9 knots, it
would have meant sailing west and then jibing and sailing south.
The alternative was to go for our
‘barn door’ twin headsail arrangement; a classic rig for downwind trade winds
and one that will tolerate sailing by the lea at angles of up to 50° off the
wind. With slightly reduced canvas we knew our boat speed would be reduced but
this was the trade off.
In the end we opted for the slower
setup in the right direction. In part this was because it is somewhat exhausting
forever trying to stay on top of a bucking bronco, but also because we were at
the mercy of any veering wind changes to the south which would have meant jibing
onto what was clearly not the making tack.
Having given it a go overnight, we
have averaged about 7 knots with a COG of 265°M helping to bring us south back
onto our rhum line. The biggest unexpected bonus however, is that the boat is
much more stable, pitches less and requires a lighter touch on the helm, which
is good news for the boat and crew.
PS. just because so many of you have been pestering me for the
answer to yesterday’s photo teaser (not!) I can reveal it is the boats latest
hand whittled cup holder, lovingly whittled, filed and sanded for 2 hours by
Alastair and Ian to suit our oversized mugs; just in case you wondered how we
pass the time of day!-)