When It Rains, There May Also Be a Rainbow

Position: 19°21.5’S 083°04.9’W | Course: 285° | Speed: 6.5 kn

Around 04:00 board time last night, we had to start the engine. The wind had become light and inconsistent. Some squalls brought enough breeze to sail at 5 knots for a while, but our average dropped below 4.5 knots, and the motion became uncomfortable — rolling and shaking with the swell. So we gybed and turned more north, motoring along at 7.3 knots.

During the 04:00 watch handover we took down the topsails, and by 06:00 we struck the mainsail as well. Lisa and Jasmijn washed the deck during a watch filled with drizzle and grey skies — but, as the saying goes, when it rains, there may also be a rainbow! And there was. Jasmijn captured the moment with a perfect photo (picture of the day): a rainbow stretching across the sky, with a booby gliding past. Included in today’s log: her now-iconic “gangster look” at the time. Drizzle may seem harmless, but after 15 minutes, you’re soaked through.

Later in the afternoon, I gave a weather presentation — a summary of the conditions we’re experiencing and the tools we use onboard to access forecasts. We also looked at ENSO, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, as we’re currently sailing through its primary region.

During El Niño, trade winds weaken, allowing warm surface water to spread eastward across the Pacific. This shift can disrupt weather patterns throughout the Pacific and beyond, often leading to warmer, wetter conditions in the east and drier weather in the west.

During La Niña, the trade winds strengthen, pushing warm surface water further west and drawing up cooler water from the depths in the eastern Pacific. This typically results in the opposite climate effects.

As it turns out, we’re currently in a neutral phase, transitioning out of a La Niña. This means that — in theory — the weather should be more average. But as ever at sea, “average” is a moving target.

The sea temperature is still only 16.5°C — surprisingly cool given our position well into the tropics. I’m still wearing my down jacket on deck, and while I go barefoot during the day, I’m pulling on wool blankets at night. Great sleeping weather, at least.

And finally, it’s Joanna’s birthday! We celebrated at the midnight watch change with Christmas lights and colorful Hawaiian leis. Spirits are high on board.

All is well on board,

– Jet