On passage La Gomera to Cape
Verdes
At Sea 1-4 January 2008
04/01/08 20:43
1 January
2008
Up until now we had experienced mostly sunny weather. Today it became overcast and cooler. I was wearing pretty much the same kit I would wear sailing in April/May in the English channel.
The wind continued to average 20kn from ENE but the seas moderated somewhat. We were able to tune in to Radio Austria International for part of the new years day concert from Vienna. We were doing around 5 knots over the ground with full staysail and 2 reefs in the main. With the wind on our port quarter or even further astern we rolled a lot.
If current speed is maintained we could reach Mindelo on Friday.
2 January 2008
By now we had traced most of the many locker rattles and were experiencing a much quieter cabin and better sleep as a result.
Another grey miserable day but our good progress continued. Sometimes we felt rain drops but nothing that could be called rain developed. Mindelo on friday is now looking very promising.
Generally Kiriwina has a very dry cockpit but on this point of sail with the weather stern we occasional get a bucket or two in the cockpit. Nothing serious but bracing if caught without a high collar. Down below we are completely dry.
The wind continued at ENE F5-6, about one beaufort level higher than forecast.
Day's run at noon 116 miles with 253 miles to go.
3 January 2008
In the early hours we ran under main only (2 reefs) with the wind gusting to 30 knots. Later usual service of F5-6 resumed.
A large swell with the crest breaking astern of us.
During the afternoon patches of blue sky appeared. Some stars were visible at night but not to the extent seen on the first few nights.
134 miles to go at noon.
4th January 2008
During the early morning watch I was able to pick up Cape Verde FM radio which cheered things up a bit. The wind was now almost astern and we had the main well out to starboard on a preventer.
During the morning we had our first flying fish. Far too small to be of any use but evidence of our nearing tropical waters.
A high point on Ilha de San Antao was sighted at 08:40.
We entered the channel between Ilha de San Antao and Ilha de Sao Vicente at 12:00. The wind was now around ENE 25kn but the reported acceleration (40-50kn) in the channel did not happen.
Ilha dos Passaros was left to starboard at 14:40 and at 15:35 we rounded Pontoa do Cais into Mindelo harbour.
Ilha dos Passaros
Boat CV, the marina operator at Mindelo did not respond to VHF calls (they don't have a VHF), nor did they respond to attempts to phone (their listed number had been disconnected). We motored over to the pontoons but with no sign of any staff and mooring arrangements unclear we decided to anchor. So much for german efficiency (the owner is german) but then, TIA.
We finally anchored at 16:20 in 4.4 metres of water and veered 30 metres of chain. Winds across the harbour gusted to 20 knots over a short fetch but there was little movement. Tomas cooked a nice meal after which we turned in early and slept for almost 12 hours.
Total passage 805.9 miles in 7 days 3.6 hours.
Up until now we had experienced mostly sunny weather. Today it became overcast and cooler. I was wearing pretty much the same kit I would wear sailing in April/May in the English channel.
The wind continued to average 20kn from ENE but the seas moderated somewhat. We were able to tune in to Radio Austria International for part of the new years day concert from Vienna. We were doing around 5 knots over the ground with full staysail and 2 reefs in the main. With the wind on our port quarter or even further astern we rolled a lot.
If current speed is maintained we could reach Mindelo on Friday.
2 January 2008
By now we had traced most of the many locker rattles and were experiencing a much quieter cabin and better sleep as a result.
Another grey miserable day but our good progress continued. Sometimes we felt rain drops but nothing that could be called rain developed. Mindelo on friday is now looking very promising.
Generally Kiriwina has a very dry cockpit but on this point of sail with the weather stern we occasional get a bucket or two in the cockpit. Nothing serious but bracing if caught without a high collar. Down below we are completely dry.
The wind continued at ENE F5-6, about one beaufort level higher than forecast.
Day's run at noon 116 miles with 253 miles to go.
3 January 2008
In the early hours we ran under main only (2 reefs) with the wind gusting to 30 knots. Later usual service of F5-6 resumed.
A large swell with the crest breaking astern of us.
During the afternoon patches of blue sky appeared. Some stars were visible at night but not to the extent seen on the first few nights.
134 miles to go at noon.
4th January 2008
During the early morning watch I was able to pick up Cape Verde FM radio which cheered things up a bit. The wind was now almost astern and we had the main well out to starboard on a preventer.
During the morning we had our first flying fish. Far too small to be of any use but evidence of our nearing tropical waters.
A high point on Ilha de San Antao was sighted at 08:40.
We entered the channel between Ilha de San Antao and Ilha de Sao Vicente at 12:00. The wind was now around ENE 25kn but the reported acceleration (40-50kn) in the channel did not happen.
Ilha dos Passaros was left to starboard at 14:40 and at 15:35 we rounded Pontoa do Cais into Mindelo harbour.
Ilha dos Passaros
Boat CV, the marina operator at Mindelo did not respond to VHF calls (they don't have a VHF), nor did they respond to attempts to phone (their listed number had been disconnected). We motored over to the pontoons but with no sign of any staff and mooring arrangements unclear we decided to anchor. So much for german efficiency (the owner is german) but then, TIA.
We finally anchored at 16:20 in 4.4 metres of water and veered 30 metres of chain. Winds across the harbour gusted to 20 knots over a short fetch but there was little movement. Tomas cooked a nice meal after which we turned in early and slept for almost 12 hours.
Total passage 805.9 miles in 7 days 3.6 hours.