December 28, 2011 Wednesday
Every morning I wake up at 0600 hrs and listen to Chris Parker who discusses Wx related issues and windows of opportunity for sailing. This is followed by the Waterway Net which gives a very detailed Wx report and then comes the Cruiseheimers Net for general discussions @ 0830.
This morning the Wx report indicated that there would be very light winds and seas for a Windward Passage--goodbye Father Jerome and Mt. Alvernia. Up anchor and we're off. There is a very weak Cold Front coming through and the winds and seas will be gentle. At the anchorage they were out of the SSE and going around to the SW. We set sail and off we go on a beautiful tack to Crooked Is. passage. This tack will set us up for the Windward Passage. Wind is a little to light at 10 kts but if it holds, it's doable.
December 29, 2011
Wind is very light out of the NE. We are ghosting along Long Island and making an occasional tack to work our way offshore. By evening the wind is dying. At 2030 hrs we are becalmed so we pull in the sails and lie ahull all night long.
December 30, 2011
It's 0800 hrs and still there is no wind. Time to start the engine and motor 30 nm to Crooked Is Passage hoping that we'll get something soon.
At 1715 we can see the Light House on Bird Rock, Crooked Island. As we approach the wind start to pick up ato 10 kts. There is hope. Further into the Passage the wind increases--God is Great-- by 2200 hrs we have 15-18 kts and in the lee of Crooked Island: this is glorious sailing! We're whipping along at 6.8 kts. The wind continues to increase so at 2230 hrs we put a double reef in the mainsail. Windward Passage here we come.
December 31, 2011
The wind is our friend and there is plenty of it. Double reefed mainsail, jib and our tiny staysail and we're whipping along at 6.8 kts. This lasts throughout the day and toward. We're out of the lee of Crooked Island so the swell which comes with wind increases to 6-7'. We enter the Windward Passage in the evening and the wind and seas continue to build. By 2300 hrs it's time to reef the jib down to a scrap. I'm hitting 7.5 kts in gusts and the Valiant isn't complaining but I still need to learn what she can take. This boat is remarkably dry and manages the seas like any good woman does with a stronger force.
January 1,2012
We are out of the Windward Passage and have 177 nm to Port Antonio. This mornings Wx report indicates that a very strong Cold Front will be entering our area by Tuesday. There is a long 8-10' swell running but the seas are gentle giants for "Solstice". It's good to be back in the Trade Wind seas we remember from our Catamaran "Giniginamar". We are have to tack now as the wind is out of the ESE. This goes on throughout the day.
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