It’s Monday morning and our third day at sea and we are about 75 miles south of Cape Hatteras, the halfway point on our trip to CT. Sea conditions are calm and there is about 15kts of wind which is unfortunately, directly behind us. This means that our apparent wind, the wind speed minus our forward speed with the wind, is less than 10kts, not enough to sail.
We have been getting a good push from the Gulf Stream, up until a few hours ago as it appears that we are a bit west of the best current. A while ago another sailboat called me to ask if we knew where the center of the stream was as he too had lost the “push” and was hoping to determine if it was east or west of his position. Fortunately, I was able to contact a northbound tanker that was about 10 miles east of us who was getting a good push north. Armed with that that information we are now heading east to his general position with the hope of regaining a positive current.
We will know when we are in the Stream again as our SOG, speed over the ground, will pick up and be faster than our speed through the water. We should also see the sea temperature go up about 10 degrees as the GS is considerably warmer than the surrounding water. The “wall” of the Stream in this latitude is fairly pronounced so we should know when we are back in within a mile or two. We should also notice that the sea color is a deep blue and the surface will be a bit more confused.
Having said that, I have had trouble staying in the GS this far north as the Stream spreads out from a more well defined area further south in Florida. As we head north the Stream begins to veer east and spreads out to include many eddies and back currents. In that area, north of Hatteras, it can be frustrating to manage all of the complexities of the Stream.
And, in the “comfort” department, both Chris and Dave began feeling better yesterday afternoon as the swell and chop settled down in the Stream. I expect that they are also feeling better, as most do, after a few days at sea, regardless of conditions.
Unfortunately, that “adjustment” doesn’t carry over to the next passage and those who are susceptible to “mal de mare” must endure a few days of discomfort each time they head to sea.
Fortunately, I have never been particularly susceptible to motion sickness so it’s hard for me to relate to what it must be like, however after 40+ years of sailing with Brenda I do know that it sucks, big time. As she is inclined to say, “the only sure cure for seasickness is to sit under an apple tree”. Yes, I expect that’s a cure but it’s tough to fine afloat. Actually, that’s her point exactly.
When Chris was talking about his tendency to get sick on the first day or so at sea, he remarked that when he’s really feeling badly he “fears that he’s going to die” but after a while and a few trips to the rail, it gets worse and he then is ” afraid that he won’t”. Nope, that doesn’t sound fun at all.
So, now that the crew is back in shape and have regained their “sea legs” the galley is back in full swing. Beginning this morning we had eggs, a smell that would have sent them to the rail yesterday. Today, better. So, with reasonably calm seas in the forecast for the rest of the trip, we should be in good shape.
I spoke again with Chris Parker, the weather router, today and he predicts that the weather for the rest of the week should support our run north without our having to stop along the way. That’s good as I am certainly anxious to be home again and it’s been quite a while since Brenda and closed up the house a few days before Christmas.
Speaking of home, we were visited here on Pandora yesterday by a little guy that clearly had strayed a bit from his home and landed aboard. Unlike some visitors on past trips, this guy only stayed for an hour or so and then flew off.
I do wonder what happens to these little guys when the leave Pandora to make a run the 75 miles to shore. More to the point, what happens to the ones that don’t find a boat to land on? And, how do they know which way to go toward shore when they leave after a rest? Hmm…
Anyway, we continue to head home, slowly if surely. Did I mention that I am looking forward to being home with Brenda? Thought so.
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