What a difference a day makes…
The last 48 hours have been difficult going. While only moderately windy (17-22 knots), the sea conditions have not been good. While we’re normally happy to have some current pushing us along in the direction we want to go, in this case a strong current from behind flowed directly into the wind direction. Having the wind oppose the current always builds a sea state out of proportion to the actual wind strength, and this was no exception.
An unending train of five to eight foot, very steep short period waves marched up from the south, directly in the direction we need to go. With Madrone heeled over sailing into the wind, the waves bashed into the boat, sometimes washing the length of the deck and other times just making a very loud bang against the hull. Salt spray soaked the cockpit, and moving around down below required at least one handhold at all times to avoid being thrown into the hull.
Two days of that is plenty, and this morning dawned with the first sunny skies in days. Both the wind and current dropped just enough to take the sharp edge off the conditions, and the crew is drying out and starting to unclench their teeth.
The forecast is for light to moderate wind the rest of the way, and we’re hoping the forecast is right.
All’s well onboard.
Day Nine: 132nm
03 24.2N 89 55.9W
