Some days are relaxing, easy sailing, but this one was not.
The strong wind that we saw in the forecast arrived, and wind speeds built until plateauing at around 30-35 knots with gusts to 40, a typical gale. The sea state always increases together with the wind, and we saw 10-12 foot waves.
After 12 or so hours, the wind started to blow in earnest. The steady wind settled around 40 knots, with frequent gusts into the upper 40s and even one that we saw at 50 knots. Instead of 10-12 foot waves, the larger sets had 20 foot faces that seemed to hover over Madrone’s stern, spray flying off the top and glistening in the sun.
Luckily for us, Madrone is a strong boat, well designed and well built. She carried us through the blow, and now conditions have returned to more typical and more easily managed.
We’re happy days like this are not that common.
All’s well onboard.
Day Five
144nm
47 47.1S 52 45.1W
