I had a rough night. Not because it rained, but because I had good wind.
I put about 6 hours on the motor last night. I really wanted out of the ITCZ mainly because I can’t recover from a lightning strike. I was looking for a patch of clear sky and no squalls on the radar.
It was dead flat a around 8pm and I was tired from the day. I turned off the motor and decided to drift. Sleeping on the boat is not easy the first week at sea so I decided to take something to help me sleep, I wanted some REM sleep! Before my sleeping pill set in the wind freshened to 15 from the North East. I knew it was good wind right off the bat, nice & steady, not gusty. I believe that was the southern end of the ITCZ, “I’m free” I thought! I was forcing myself to fight off the sleeping pill all night because I wanted to continue making my rare 5.5 knots and tend to the sails. Maybe I got 80 minutes sleep on the hard deck as all my cushions are soaking wet.
As soon as the sun came up I put my line in the water, I immediately got a strike. A marlin breeched the water and started fighting immediately. I knew he would never be mine as he seemed larger then me and we only had 50 pounds of test between us. For a few minutes he followed Namaste putting on a show, I think for my benefit. However as soon as he decided to turn I had to make the decision to loose all my line or not. I tightened the drag and the line instantly snapped. That was my first marlin. I never wanted to catch one as they are not supposed to taste very good and I’m not into killing for sport, but it was fun while it lasted.
I’m getting used to being at sea. I’m not spilling my coffee everywhere and I’m getting about pretty well. My arms and upper body are sore from all the work and my hands torn. You know it’s funny. Before I left I thought I would have to set a schedule of push-ups, and sit-ups to stay in shape. With all the work I’m doing I’ll be carved out of wood by the time I reach the Marquesas.
The sun is out, and last night I sailed towards the Southern Cross, how frigg’n cool is that?
Life isn’t too shabby today.
Alex
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