We have not
flown the big spinnaker since last month.
The weather
predictions have been surprisingly accurate, and today the wind softened as
expected. We have not flown the spinnaker since 27th November, but
today we have given it another chance to show its metal.
The wind
direction yesterday was making it tricky for us to run down the Rhumb Line, so
at noon we were still on the port tack, heading south of our intended course.
During the morning, the overnight squalls and occasional rain eased. Just after
lunch the Port Watch shook out the second reef in the main, and a couple of
hours later at 5pm they shook out the remaining one and we were under full sail.
As soon as they came on at 6pm, the Starboard Watch were hit by a 25 knot
squall. Whilst the Port Watch settled into their bunks for a pre-prandial nap
the Starboard guys struggled to the foredeck in torrential rain and fought the
first reef back down again. Things
settled down as they do, and the rest of the night passed bouncing along more or
less on our intended course uneventfully if not very
comfortably.
After a peaceful
dawn, as the morning drew on and the wind softened even more. A discussion took
place, and it was decided that the big spinnaker was the only we could counter
this deceleration. At 11 0clock, we wrangled it out from under the other two
spinnakers, blew the dust off its bag, wrestled it onto the foredeck and, after
untangling the sock-line (who knew that spinnakers wear socks? - Ed) there it
was flying white and magnificent in front of us. As you would expect, Cleones
Sail Number is shown in large letters on this sail, and her name is also written
in capital letters just beneath. The Skipper says that this is so yachts in
front will know exactly who is overtaking them, but since, as far as anyone is
aware, this has never happened, it might have been an unnecessary expense.
Unadmired by any other vessels, the spinnaker has been flying ever since, and
the log shows that this is for the first time since 26th November.
It is hot and
sticky again today, and the crew are finding that the efforts required at the
wheel and on the foredeck are exacerbated by these conditions. The big and
little chores both below and above deck must also go on, and sleep is becoming
at a bit of a premium. This makes life aboard a little difficult, but we will
get by!
With very best
wishes and love to you all,
James,
Francesca, Louisa and Kaya
Yacht
Cleone
At
sea
Position at
1300UTC on 06 Dec 2024:
N19deg41min
W39deg57min