Yesterday I was envious of Christian's blog where he was talking about
his Spinnaker. My shore crew forwards blogs that I might find
interesting to me. Flamingo Lady does not carry a spinnaker and
normally this would not be a problem. However yesterday with 10=12 kts
apparent and wanting to go dead down wind it would have been ideal
conditions. The grip files showed constant wind speed and direction for
the day and more, so it was perfect. But we do not have one so it was a
case of reaching down wind, trying to optimize my VMG but keeping the
sails full particularly the genoa without winding up to wind or being
pushed up wind by the waves. A days pleasant sailing but the 160 miles
through the water is not 160 miles nearer the finish!!. However by early
evening the course looked better and we made up some miles. To be honest
with the waves I doubt I could have held a spinnaker much after 18:00 ut.
This morning the wind is in excess of the grib forecast and we have 30+
kts over the deck at times. Having spent time trying again to optimize
the VMG and being hit with the gusts it was a case of full reef and get
in control. The steering gear now has the small vane fitted, and I have
dropped the main fully and leaving a small portion of genoa unfurled.
This is at least comfortable, very much more stable in course, and we
are now clocking up 7 kts towards the next waypoint and the finish. So
the white sails are doing the job.
However looking forward to the next few days with NE winds going light,
I will again be thinking I should have had a spinnaker, and be
struggling with the heavy genoa, possibly poled out.
mike
1200UT 16/16
Lat:42.00.6
lon:59.14.5
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