What a difference a day makes
Last night at 2000, I went on watch and Randall went to bed. It was relatively calm and the sailing was moderate at best. Just like the night before, at midnight when I went off watch and crawled into bed the conditions accelerated. Over a period of four hours the wind went up to 20 knots, then 25, then 30 then 35 with the waves increasing in size from 6 to 8 to 10 feet. Poor Randall! His “sleep” turned again into a series of reefs to both the main and the jib. Every 30 minutes or so he would go outside and take in the jib one reef, and then take in the main the next, and then back to the jib for another until there were no more reefs to take. I would go outside as well, but remain in the cockpit while Randall would go to the mast. I was clipped into the cockpit and hanging on for dear life. Like the cliche says, it was dark and stormy and pouring rain. Except this time we were ready for it dressed in full foulies. But unlike the night before, we were now heading NORTH!! HOMER here we come!
At 0400 it was my turn to hit the hay, and I am thinking how can I possibly sleep in these wild conditions with the boat heavily rocking and leaning way over to starboard with waves crashing into us and over us? Guess what? I had my best night of sleep ever and did not wake up until my Leigh cloth (designed to keep me from flying out of my bunk while I am asleep) came untied and I partially flew out, but I wakened in time to catch myself. I picked my pillow and various belongings off the floor, threw them back onto my bunk, re-tied my Leigh cloth and slept soundly until 0800.
The next morning the conditions had not subsided. Blowing 30 knots with eight to ten foot waves Randall surveys the deck for any damage or disorder.
While I might consider a good storm fun and exciting, Randall knows by experience that harsh weather can take its toll on MŌLI. Yes it is good to ride the wind and make as much progress towards our end point, but there is only so much a boat (and its’ occupants) can take. So at some point we crack off the wind to eaze the ride and lessen the stress on boat and sailors. Randall is now ready to take his rest.
For fun, take a look at this screen shot from Google Maps. This one (above) was taken last night at 2200. The one below was taken at a 1848 today, less than 24 hours later and the distance we have progressed north is noticeable.
