A Soldier's Breeze
Where Next?
Bob Williams
Sun 30 Jun 2024 02:31
Course: E Speed: 6 knots
Wind: S, F4-5 - moderate to fresh breeze
Sea: moderate Swell: SW 2.5 meters
Weather: cloudy with sunny patches, occasional drizzle, cool
Day's run: 140 nm
We have enjoyed a fresh soldier's breeze* from the south since noon
yesterday, making for a close reach to the ESE and another good day's run.
We passed Cape Otway at 0200 and from there were able to ease sheets a
fraction for a slightly more comfortable beam reach. The winds have eased a
little but remain gusty with passing dark rain clouds, so we have two reefs
in the main (with a full jib) so as not to be overpowered in the gusts.
Apart from the usual practice of sound seamanship, my concern with being
overpowered is to do with the loads on a piece of rigging I replaced while
in Adelaide. As mentioned in a previous post, I replaced the starboard aft
lower shroud that was made of 10 mm 1x19 stainless steel wire (which had a
broken wire) with 12 mm Dyneema rope. While Dyneema itself is stronger than
steel and has very low stretch, its major weakness is what is known as
construction stretch, which is the shortening of the rope during the
construction process, most significantly from putting an eye in each end.
This shortening must be removed otherwise it can have dire consequences for
the boat's rig. I stretched the completed stay out on the dock with a
'come-along' for several days before installing the stay to try to get it to
its full length but have found with the continuous strong beam breeze and
steep seas creating large dynamic loads on Sylph's rig that the shroud has
thus far stretched a further 25mm or so. This additional stretching has
required me to go on deck on several occasions with a couple of large
shifters to tighten the turn buckle. Hopefully I won't run out of thread on
the turnbuckle before the stay has settled to its full length.
You will see from Sylph's position that I have decided to pass Melbourne by
on this passage. Having caught up with family last weekend and with
Melbourne's cold wet weather, the city's attractions have waned
significantly. Rather, warmer waters to the north beckon us and, as
mentioned yesterday, it is hard to refuse a fair breeze.
All is well.
* 'soldiers breeze' - so called because even a soldier could sail there and
back again with it.