Log May 14
Posted by
donna
Posted on: 05/14/07
Log May 14
Forecast: Winds to lighten and then shift over the day to SW. A low is approaching and the SW will escalate to 40 kn on the Grib files which means it will be more by all recent experience. The direction is favorable but still not on a run as I have westing to do. Will be on the beam, difficult when seas increase.So the westing I am doing now is very important.. The sea has truly blessed me with the northeasterlies and the westing I have been able to do. My point to the harbor has gone from 320 to 335 and we are still westing. So as long as I am westing I am improving my situation.
With the jury rig of loose lufting the small, but not a storm sail size, jib, I will not be able to fly sail with winds as high as is predicted. I do have a storm jib I have never used. It truly is a hanky. I will not be able to hold any point above the beam and will be needing to fall to a run, due north. So I will continue to push west to get to my landing west point of 7115W as soon as I can so that I can then fall off as needed. SW winds are forecast into thursday. As long as I can make the westing, I am good to go.
The sea has set me up. All is good, yet I cannot tell you how hard it is to maintain faith when the winds once again seem to be determined to hold me at sea. These winds ahead are frightening. I know what is ahead, and I don't have my wire rig or a furler. But I have the steering vane to keep me out of the weather, and the rig has been awesome. One of the blessings of being a small boat. All the forces are less and the halyards and inner forestay are doing it. Though I am scared and I can sit in a corner in tears at times as the winds shriek, the seas mount. I let go, put on good music, and visualize seeing me arriving safe and sound on the dock in Bristol. Happy and excited.
I don't say this for you to worry. We are good to go. But lets be real. I was so hoping to make this last leg in with reasonable conditions and this is not reasonable, what appears to be ahead.
I am well rested, eating well and feeling strong. I climbed into the rig yesterday afternoon during what appeared to be a diminishing lull. The spinnaker halyard block now holding huge forces carrying the jib, isn't swiveling as it should and chaffing the halyard badly. It would be great if I could change it out with the intensity of what is coming.
All sails down and the web ladder in place I started to climb, but just then the winds began to gust. I kept going but the winds escalated into what would be the gale of the afternoon and night. Before beginning to climb, I had set the boat to a broad reach with the steering vane doing fine but with the gusts, halfway up the mast head, I am suddening to beam to mounting seas. Only to 8' or so but when you are 30' in the air, the swaying was wild. I could not get the last 5' up the mast as I become very exposed with less to hold onto as the shrouds end and the swaying was just phenomenal.
I slowly made my way back down. I would possibly have another chance in between the NNE winds and the SW winds if the seas settle down which they seem to be doing quite nicely. I will be looking for that opportunity. But if I can't, I can keep a close eye on the halyard and if I back the jib against the rig I can get it down as often as needed to retie new line if it chaffes.
So, today to rest up. I haven't slept but a few hours in the last 2 days, the fog the night before and keeping careful watch to any changes and sudden escalations to guard the rig. It will be interesting to see if the whales appear if it really gets quiet for a bit. I have this sense they are staying with me. I can only imagine I must appear as a wayward child determined to go to NW because in NZ I repainted with black bottom paint and where the bottom paint has worn off it is the bright green coming through. It must look so like their own coloring.
Now, no staying up all night worrying about me. I'll do the staying up and sail us home. Knowing you are worrying is not helping me. Please, pray and go to sleep. Feed me that rest and peace through the night. Believe me, my children are trusting, my mom, so can you. It is all good. Trust, faith and no worries. I really believe that worry is counter productive energy.
During the big storm it was so very hard for me to have you all so worried. In fact the fear others had fed me fear, when I was confident. Even into this last leg. It took the first two days to focus and shake the negative worrying and dread. All is going perfect. I am making good westing, getting a good point and will be in good position to manage the high winds coming..
Biggest biggest hugs to all. Don't hold your breath, breathe!!!! I'm soon home. The miles will clock off quickly once the winds turn SW tonight. I'll be in Bristol soon.. I love you all so very much. xoxoxoxxo d
"Keepin On Keepin On Keepin On Caring....with all my thoughts and dreams as I energize all good things in my life".
donna
7
share
subscribe
contact
subscribe
RSS
Leave a Comment