“That Doesn’t Look Good” – 4 May 2014

Last night was another gorgeous evening. Don made us his mac and cheese delux dinner (with onion, tomato, green beens). We had half of it for dinner and the other half on watch. It was so relaxing I sat in the stern seats looking up at the new moon with the ble speakers in my lap watching James bond movies on the laptop in the cockpit table.

The only thing missing was the wind, there was absolutely none which resulted in a nice 4.5 kt breeze as we motored along in flat calm conditions, it really felt like we where on anchor.

This was in stark contrast to this am when shortly after don got up i was looking north west in front of us and saw ominous dark clouds on the horizon. I felt a chill as well and looked at don and said “this does not look good, do you want to reef” there was a minute or two of indecision as weather normally comes from behind us with the trades and then the wind and rain hit.

It is always more fun to reef in 20+ kts of wind and blowing rain then with the jib barley holding shape. it took both of us to get the thing in as there is no winch set up for it so i was up on the deck pulling the reefing line out while don took up the slack. by the time we where done with this event we where completely drenched.

i was just thinking well guess this could be a shower and don hands me the shampoo we both got out in the rain and did a full “cold” shower. who needs a water maker when you have rain (suggested we swab the decks as well but don vetoed that) The good news is I also got to wash my sarong and my hat both which where getting a bit grimy.

that was several hours ago and it is still rainy now with light winds. we are motoring on with both engines full open now not quite pushing 5 kts hoping to get out of what seems to be a front. the grib had a wind shift aka front passage projected for tonight so perhaps it is early.

in any case we are hanging inside dry taking turns looking out for traffic but we have seen no one in days. this is in spit of the fact we are within miles of the bahama island chain. very weird, we are guessing everyone transits on the south side of the chain.

200nm to abaco so hopefully we will be there in another 2 days.

cheers
roger