00’46.6S 084’15.8W // course 289’ // speed 4,9kn
With just the smallest breeze of 7 or 8 knots, from the south-southeast, we are doing a marvellous 4,5 / 5 knots, sometimes… we even hit 5,5! It is, again, a magical kind of sailing, one that Tecla does best. She glides like she is moving through clouds and you can feel that even she is trying not to shake the wind from the sails when the smaller waves hit.
There is a small swell running from the south, like there is wind somewhere… just not here. It also seems it is a sudden, maybe short burst of wind, as the waves are short and somewhat steep. When the wind turns light, like in the afternoon, there is nothing to do but turn on the engine, because the boom of the mainsail is just trying to swing from starboard to portside in a very short period of time.
But what can you do, on the big Pacific Ocean, but roll with the “punches” of the waves and make the most of it! So, we had our water maker running, our washing machine on and the laundry was outside drying faster than we could hang it! Gijs and I used to have a superstition on hanging washing outside while sailing, but today disproved that superstition. Luckily!!
Preparations for arrival in the Galapagos are being made. We are separating the waste into recyclables, greens and the rest. We are eating all the eggs (beautiful spinach and pumpkin quiche) and fruits that are not allowed in and making lists of what to do and where to go!
Tooske threw out the fishing line for the first time this voyage. We decided not to use the lure that was still on from Michael. We don’t want to lose it before he comes back on board (very soon!!!), but also we were a bit scared that we might catch something way too big for us to haul out of the water!! The squid-like lure with blue rubbery fringes and big googly eyes has a hook that looks like it could take on a 50-kilo tuna… now that sounds nice… but getting it on board… seems ambitious for our first try! So far… no catch though, we will try again tomorrow.
Thor and Philippe seem to have been working on a song together. You can see them working downstairs, or listening to the product somewhere in a corner or out on deck. This afternoon I saw a big smile on Thor’s face, so I thought, maybe it’s done… But apparently Philippe thought it could be better… so we are still waiting in anticipation.
While I write this, the speed is increasing a little. 5,2 and we glide on. This really is what makes sailing Tecla so special. You spend some time on your trim and it pays off more than double. The wind increases just the slightest bit and she can transform it into forward movement without effort. 5,4 knots, the propeller and shaft hum a little louder.
I think I will join Tooske outside for a bit.
All is well on board,
Jet
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