We started late Friday afternoon beat 10 miles to Edistone light house in about 18 - 20 knots one reef in the main then spinnaker reached for 150 miles in 20 - 28 knots of wind all night maxing out at 17.5 knots and several broaches along the way. We rounded Needles Fairway obout 7 am having not seen another boat since it went dark. There was some concern. Sailing back west towards Plymouth we hadn`t seen another boat, perhaps we had missed a tide gate as we were the only boat that went out to sea in the early stage ofthe race. `O´ yes did I mention it had been blowing 25+ all night and now we would be beating in 28-40 knots mountains seas for the next 5 days. Crampons and an Ice pick would have been helpful!
After rounding the mark, sailing up wind for about 35 mins we came across a group of 5 boats reaching in the opposite direction so Conrad had made a great call going out to sea and we were in a good position. By late afternoon we were down to 3 reefs and the storm jib with huge seas I mean huge in a 21 foot boat. From time to time the seas would break over the boat as we climbed to the top of them. t was exhilarating and great to be back at sea after 16 years away.Read more...
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