This forecast demonstrates the weather we want to avoid- a weather system with strong wind from the north
The seasons are changing here in southern Chile. The stable, mostly clear conditions of late summer are giving way to cloudier, wetter weather, and a couple of decently strong systems have already caused Madrone to stay put in a cozy caleta for a couple of nights.
This forecast is favorable for sailing to Valdivia, with a nice south breeze for us to ride up north
In this part of the world storms bring northerly wind, while stable weather with high pressure features winds from the south. For a northbound trip, stable weather will mean clear skies, wind from behind the beam, and calm following seas – just what the doctor ordered for a short ocean passage after a month in calm inland waters.
A treat on our way to Valdivia- cinnamon sugar donut muffins- Yum!
We found a good weather window between storm systems, and Madrone flew up the coast. With 15-20 knots of wind from astern, we ran dead downwind wing-on-wing with a poled-out jib to port and main to starboard. Our 7+ knots of boatspeed was augmented by a knot of current behind us, seas were calm, and the moon and stars were out as we sped towards Valdivia. If only every sailing trip were like this!
