pulling us along at over 7 knots and each of us on watch last night recorded
surfs of over 14 knots. The swell plays a huge part in out boat speed. At no
time on this trip has it been abnormally big. In fact, any day-sail off
Durban would produce bigger swell.
What does matter is the direction and the disturbance of the swell. The
apparent wind confuses the autopilot and boat yaws in an arc of up to 20°
because it has no keel.
The faster we go, the more noise we have to put with. The propeller spinning
in neutral produces a high-pitched whine, a sound we now love to hear. The
traveller of the mainsail has a annoying squeak and water syphons up the
drains of the three sinks, making a life-like gurgling noise. But loudest of
all is the bang as the bottom of the bridgedeck slams on the top of a swell
as we loose one surf and start another.
Two of us or perhaps three, have developed compulsive behaviour disorders. I
am accused of eating too many jelly babies. Steve has got over his eating
problems - in fact he now eats less than all of us - however, Sudoku
consumes him. He does it morning, noon and night. Long past level five, he
needs the challenge of a higher level. He's just going to have to hold out
for another three days.
As for "Hmmm, that's nice, Loram", he has developed a nesting syndrome. Two
days ago, he scrubbed the decks. He is constantly wasting precious water by
washing his clothes. He even folds his shirts. During the first part of the
trip, he awoke early for his watch duty. He has now developed a sleeping
disorder and we find it difficulty to wake him - he slept right through the
spinnaker bursting.
John has decided to open a sail loft when he gets to Brazil. He needs a
large open room and ten nubile ladies to do the sewing. If making sails
fails, he can change the nature of the business.
Cheers from all of us on Stingo.
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