25:17.0 N 17:34.5W Tough initiation
Irene IV - World Adventure
Louis Goor
Mon 8 Nov 2021 03:23
18.30 GMT 7 November 2021
Apologies for no blog yesterday - I blame the mal de la mer.
Razzmatazz before leaving included Manuela & Sarah batch cooking for hours
and cleaning the boat from top to bottom.
Stuart in a frenzy of checks, paying bills and charming harbour and
restaurant staff alike in his fluent Spanish brogue.
The night before departure, Ian & Raymond took the tender out for a harbour
jaunt to charge the battery, and came across a party of French sailors
rowing their own tender, the engine having failed.
Towed through wind and waves to their mooring in the outer harbour; offers
of boissons a remercier graciously declined.
Tough initiation upon leaving Las Palmas - departed in stiff Force 7 breeze
with high waves, and wind continued to rise.
Irene IV performed magnificently.
As the night wore on, wind rose to gusting 40 knots (TWS), running in front
of strong rolling seas parallel to the African coast.
At 19.30 GMT a heavy gust led to a recalcitrant autopilot and sent dinner
flying, with Manuela doing a solid Buzz Lightyear impression.
Efficient remediation by skipper and crew got all sorted with no wastage as
dinner was served.
Sunday arrived with sunshine and slightly quieter wind speeds, giving time
for crew recovery after the rough opening bout.
At 07.30 GMT we gybed to set a course for 265 degrees.
All checks done and time found for cutting up bottles for recycling. This
post unofficially sponsored by Stugeron.
Progress report so far:
32 hours = 265 NM DTW (distance through the water)
Sea state 3-4 metres
Wind NE 6-7 Gusts 40 knots TWS