I think I last wrote about the relatively strong wind forecast for the next few days. Well, the forecast was correct, sort of. I did see 30 kts from the north, which was great. It led to speeds of 10-11kts over the ground and much higher–like 18 kts for short bursts.
But then the wind shifted to the east–dead on the nose. So you’ll see my track tacking back and forth as I tried to make some headway while, at the same time, waiting for the system to pass and the wind speed and direction to become more favorable.
Didn’t happen.
Instead, the wind built to 40kts, still on the nose. Throw in the third reef. Ah, says I, this must be the front coming through that will trigger the favorable wind shift. Still no joy after six hours. So I dropped the mainsail entirely and sailed with just the storm jib–essentially biding my time waiting for the shift.
Worse, the wind continues to BUILD–50 kts sustained. And even worse, the lashings holding the sail to the boom have come out and the mainsail has worked it’s way UP the mast.
So there I am, somewhere between midnight and 2am, struggling to pull the mainsail back down. Not even close. With 50kts of wind and one of the slides holding the sail to the mast broken, the sail was flogging wildly and I could only get a few feet gathered before a gust would rip it out of my hands and send it back up. (Just to pile on the sail was also twisted into the lower shroud, making things impossible.)
I decided this was a great time to run with the wind to get the apparent wind speed down while I waited for wind speed to moderate.
By 6am today, the wind had moderated to 30 kts, the sun came out and the mainsail had worked its way back down the mast.
But Resolute did sustain some damage. The mainsail is no longer usable, with several more slides separating (i.e., being ripped loose from) the sail. And there was a lot of banging against the shrouds and spreaders that has me a bit concerned about the integrity of the rig.
I’ll continue to sail downwind (toward the US) while I assess the damage.
All in all, though, it was a very eventful 36 hours.
Well, indeed. This gets really exciting. Good thing you are a first-rate sailor and have practiced prudent decision-making for decades. Cheers (and here’s) to you!
Just try and keep her poiting the right direction…It will pass. Lesson learnt, you only get one chance to secure anything when short handed.
Never a dull moment for sure, now I understand the tracker information. Figured you must have had some issue. Stay safe
Well done, Scott! You sound very cool and collected after all of that. Keep after it and remember we’re all pulling for you.
Scott, KIM: Mid Atlantic Yacht Services HORTA Faial Azores. mays@mail.telepac.pt
Tel: +351 292 391 616 VHF: 77
Kip Stone ARTFORMS stopped there in 2004 on his way to Plymouth from the Falklands. Best wishes, Jay Cushman (ex GLORY, B1-2, 2009)
You can write, and think from one paragraph to the next. That’s good news. Pizza on the way.
Good luck!
Something like that must take all (or 90%) of the fun out of sailing. Sounds as though you’ll have to spend an extra day or two at your destination to oversee repairs. We’re of course relieved that you made it through the ordeal safely.
Thinking of you and wish the weather would support a downwind run to Horta. Jon G repaired a lot of damage there enroute Plymouth. Your call as you are in charge.
stay safe
You are certainly brave, Scott.
Thinking of you on this chilly night in Maine. We’ll be glad to see you when you return.