Around 1100, Distant Horizon and I were departing Bermuda. Sails were up, but with not enough wind, the engine was doing the bulk of the work.
With the forecast, I was prepared to motor most of the day. Something I do not normally do. However, I was pleasantly surprised. At 1230, I was able to turn the engine off. We were far enough away from land that Distant Horizon was sailing well without the engine.
Atlantic Crossing Begins
To depart Bermuda with the intent of sailing east, it is best to sail north or northeast to get above the Bermuda-Azores High. There is little to no wind in areas of High pressure.
Bermuda is roughly located at 32 degrees north latitude (the South Carolina, Georgia border). I wanted to get to 35 degrees north before turning due east. This would take a day or so.
Throughout the day, the winds were steadily picking up. Distant Horizon was sailing well over a knot faster than my planned speed.
I measure my distance in the traditional manner. Distance is measured from my position at noon one day to noon the next day. This is not how many miles the boat travels, but as the crow flies. I plan for 5kts. In a 24-hour period, that is 120nm per day.
Since I departed Bermuda before noon, I was able to calculate my Day#1 distance… 132nm! That is an average of 5.5kts.
To get that 132 nm, Distant Horizon actually traveled 156.2nm! That is the second-best distance we have ever made together. The first best had the boost of the Gulf Stream pushing us. So, this was a great start!
Red Sky at Night is a Sailor’s Delight!
More of the Same, More Wind, More Waves
As forecasted, the weather on Day #2 was similar to that of Day#1, with one exception. The winds did not start out light. They were steady through the night and the second day. It was a glorious time on the boat as Distant Horizon slid across the waves effortlessly.
Atlantic Sunset
In the dark of night…. never during the day! The winds started to pick up. A little before dawn, I was sailing in 24-28kt winds. Once there was enough light and seeing the sea state, I considered my options. The seas had changed from moderate 3-meter waves to over 4 meters… that’s over 12-foot waves.
I had to set a reef in the mainsail. One reef was alright. Two would be better. The winds were not forecasted to be this high, let alone higher. The sun was up. If the weather started to deteriorate, I could easily set another reef. So, one reef it was.
To set a reef, I have to slow or stop the boat. I chose to slow the boat. This seemed like the simplest method. I turned the boat into the wind, or as close to the wind, and still sailing. Then I swung the boom out so the mainsail was pointing into the wind. When the front edge of the mainsail started to flap a bit, I could start to set the reef. That is lower the sail and secure it in a manner that the mainsail is actually smaller… it doesn’t go all the way up but is secured for a good sailing shape. The sail has less useful sail area, and so there is less force on the boat.
The Drama Never Ends!
While doing this, the boat is barely moving. So, it is much quieter. Less noise from the wind and less sound from the water rushing past the hull.
I heard a funny noise and tried to characterize it as I set the reef. I would have to investigate this as soon as I have the boat moving and back on course.
… and I did. What I found was surprising if not shocking… The prop shaft had broken again!
I had caught the problem before the shaft had slid back far enough to jam the rudder this time. Due to the pressure of the water from the boat’s movement, I was unable to pull the shaft forward.
I decided that since it was not a problem, to secure the shaft in place… for now.
I was just three days out from Bermuda. Should I turn back?
No! My decision was a resounding, No! I was tired of turning back when there were issues. I never use the engine on the ocean. So, it really did not affect the passage until I reached the Azores. Once there, I would need to be towed into the harbor. For now, I was all set. … or so I thought.
Change in Weather forecasts
I had signed up with a professional marine weather service. I thought that would be prudent considering the 2100 miles and three weeks I would be spending at sea. A text message was sent to them, reporting the sea state.
They said I had gone farther north than expected. That was surprising to me. Distant Horizon and I never go farther or faster than expected. Usually, I am told we are too slow!
There was a Low-pressure system to my north, but it was moving away from me. So, things should be settling down after noon.
Later in the afternoon, the scene would be set for my crossing. I received an updated weather forecast. I receive these via email.
In great detail, it was explained that the forecast had changed. The Low-pressure system to my north was now going to develop into something larger. It was also going to move southeast before moving northwest away from me. To make things worst, this Low would be followed by a fast-moving Low system that would be coming off the North American Continent.
If I continued on my present course to the Azores, I would sail into a full-blown storm with 6-9 meter waves and winds over 60kts. It was suggested that I sail southeast down to 32 degrees north latitude. This would put me on the southern edge of the storm and the winds would stay in the upper 20s. The waves are in the 4-meter range, maybe 5 meters for one day.
The decision was an easy one… sail southeast. There was just one caveat… was the prop shaft secured well enough for those conditions. I was sure if it wasn’t, it would manifest itself at the worst possible moment.
Happy Birthday to Me!
It was my birthday! I know because my family sent me B’day greetings.
Mother Nature cooperated with the celebration. The seas subsided to just 2-meter waves… very small on the ocean. The winds had dropped as well to a calm 15kts. All sails up! A very calm relaxing day overall!
Captain Kev Relaxing On One of the Nicest Days… My Birthday!
Overnight, the calming continued. The winds dropped to 7kts. The sea went flat.
There was a small High-pressure system south of me. I decided to sail into that for the calmer conditions and secure the prop shaft as best I could.
So… I turned south-southeast and sailed into the High. It only took a couple of hours to be comfortable with the way I had the shaft secured. I was reasonably certain, it would stay secured and not slide back in most conditions.
However, being in a High-pressure system, it took the better part of the day to sail out of it and back to the decent wind.
As mentioned previously, I never use my engine on the ocean. Distant Horizon is equipped with light-wind sails, called drifters. These are made of lightweight nylon; similar to the photos you’ve seen with sailboats and their colorful spinnakers.
Flying the Lightweight Drifter
In the photo above, you can see by the wrinkles there is barely enough wind to keep this sail full. In fact, it kept collapsing because there was not enough wind… and this is 0.75 oz nylon! I can only use it winds under 8kts.
To avoid the worst of the storm, I still had over 150 miles south to go. However, I was sailing southeast, not due south. Now, the race south can continue.