Compared to the strong winds on the nose for days and huge waves we had crossing from Florida to Bermuda, the delightfully light winds and surprisingly flat Atlantic seas during the first 24 hours on route to The Azores seemed more than we could have wished for. Flying our huge spinnaker (sized for a 47-foot catamaran) we were cruising along, enjoying being up with the front runners of the fleet... until I noticed that a thin line seemed to have become caught in the block at the end of the bowsprit. Fearing that it might hinder the tack line, I popped up to the bow, with cursory “I’ll be right back.”
The bowsprit had disconnected from the bow of the boat, but luckily had become wedged in the barrel of the jib roller furler... 20 minutes later we had the spinnaker dowsed, jib hoisted, bowsprit safely detached and on board, and back on course... the repairs are underway.
Worst of all, SV Templars F finally got a break and passed us!
Lindsay
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