Today marks the first day of hurricane season, however with all canvas up, sailing under a cutter rig; I can only muster between 2.2 – 3Kts, in 8 knots of wind. I hooked about a 50 pound Wahoo yesterday, gaffed him and got him 75% on board when he snapped the leader and got away, what a waste, He’ll probably die, and he took my favorite lure with him, one that a friend gave me for the trip.
Last night I watched the sun set and shower Cuba with warm light, beautiful mountainous Island. I had to dodge tankers & freighters all night through the Windward Passage…, still no sleep to think of.
I need wind, not too much mind you, but a solid 12-15 would be nice. I was running with the wind most of the night, which is usually very comfortable; however Namaste rocked port to starboard all night, I couldn’t really figure out why the sea was fairly calm, perhaps currents in the passage.
It was 90 degrees at 09:00, I suppose it will get hotter today. Everything in this heat is a chore, setting sail, fighting a fish, cooking. Every hour or so I pour a bucket of sea water over my head, as well as on the teak decks. I haven’t been eating much, yesterday I noticed It was late afternoon and I hadn’t had my morning coffee or anything to eat. I don’t think I’ve missed morning coffee for at least a decade. I had an Atkins shake for dinner. I picked the shakes in Nassau thinking it would be good nutrition, and preparation would be simple, I mixed it with soy milk, it was fine.
No more then 8 kts of wind today. I was sweating in the cockpit wondering I hadn’t stocked up on duty free rum in the Bahamas. Something crossed my mind. When I purchased “Namaste” there was a big black sail in her inventory. A Drifter, as it says on the sail bag. I dug deep into the stern hold and found it. It’s an ugly sail, black and dawned with mold stains. It looks like something out of “Pirates of the Caribbean”. I doused both the main & jib and hoisted this monster. Namaste gained a full knot and was now making 3.8 – 4 Knots in 8 knots of wind, “that’s not bad” I commended my new friend. The wind died quickly, and I was only making 2 Kts.
I’ve decided to slightly alter course for Port Royal (Kingston Jamaica) I’ll get some rest, provision, and fuel. If I don’t motor, it will take me a month to make Columbia at this rate. This may bring me too far west to ride the trades for Cartigena, and Panama may be my best choice. However by fueling in Kingston, I could damn near motor the entire way to Columbia if need be.
Once I altered course and rounded Haiti, I got a 10+ foor swell from the east. I am now in the full force, and mercy of the Atlantic. Namaste casually steps over these swells as if it was no bother to her. I had to dodge 4 squalls last night, I could see them on the radar. About 03:00 I passed a British sailing ship heading north for the passage. I hailed him on 16 and we talked for a while, mostly about the weather.
I think I need to get a refrigeration unit. Foremost to keep fresh fish, but man could I use a cold drink. I’m drinking nearly a gallon of water a day, and shedding it as fast as I consume it.
What will South America be like?
Published in Alex Dorsey
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