Back to business!

06’41.2N 024’01.8W course 316′ speed 3,8kn

Engine is off, sails are up and we are back to business, going North West with a small North Easterly breeze. Yesterday morning we were able to set the big jib and mizzen and at lunchtime we set the mainsail with everybody on deck. A small breeze was all we had, but it was all we needed. We added both topsails and our speed of 3 knots was a blessing! Engine off, generator off, silence!! What a feeling.

It’s such a treat to sail the Tecla, of course I would say this. But on days like today it is really all I can think about. She is so grateful when you set all sails and just let go of the reigns! She takes off and takes you with her. The ocean was still very calm, just a big lazy swell running from the North East. A deep dark blue ocean and a bright blue sky. The ripples of the wind on the water started to show more and more. As soon as we set the mainsail, the Tecla healed over a little. Even with just those 7 knots of wind. The big jib filled and started pulling and the hull did the rest. With a small bow waves she started picking up speed as and on a close reach we were doing 5 knots! In the afternoon the wind increased to 12 or 14 knots of wind, all sails still set, we were racing along with 7,5 knots. What an amazing feeling.

At the start of my night watch the wind had decreased again, speed is down a lot, but the stillness on board is still so soothing. No banging of sails, no downwind rubbing on the rigging and all in all just a very pleasant night.

The crew is happy with the quiet as well. The noise of the engine and the heat it gave in the ship was getting to all of us. The days are just so hot, there is little energy left for anything and irritations may start a lot sooner then on a cool breeze kind of day. But that is left behind us now! In a few hundred miles the water temperature should drop as well, that’s when we will really start noticing that we are heading out of the tropics!

All is well on board, Jet