Daily Report #31

Dear lovers of salty sailing.

And how do we do with the sails in Mark's story about the wind, the waves and the interior?
Sailing with an ocean cruiser is most fun with half wind between 15 and 20 knots. When there is more wind you have to reef. But then it's still pleasant.
You then sail transversely to the waves that are negligible with the wind series mentioned.
The least fun are all the other races. Well, that's a solid conclusion. Where the wind almost frightens me. Good for competitions though. Just like on the wind.
Trade winds are nice because they are constant and blowing from the same angle. They say because I am currently experiencing something different every hour. Bright blue sky and mild wind are quickly alternated with gray rain and a gust of wind. So you spend all the time with your sails and course, just to keep sailing in the direction you need to and to stay in control of the strong wind and restless sea. And also to leave everything intact because it can flap so hard that you think something will break and that is certainly not imaginary. And sometimes it's pretty terrifying.
For the time being we have almost only sailed for the wind and broad wind courses.
In yesterday's weather we had slackened sail so much that we were down to three knots in the water but still felt things would hold. After all, we also sail with an emergency rudder. Yesterday and today the wind changed from 15 to 40 knots in a matter of moments. We can see it coming better and better and with this fantastic hydraulic winding system, lowering the sail is a piece of cake. By the way, we have hardly used a mainsail until now. This is really only useful for half and close wind courses.
Anyway. Here we are. We deal with the situation and marvel at the size, vastness and capricious power of wind and water. We knew but still .. During the day it is much better to do than in the dark. That seems logical. But that's it.

Grt T and M