LORD'S PRAYER LOG, Part 14:
February 8, 2000 (continued)
2130 The wind has become rather gusty (15-25) out of the ENE in rain showers.
2220 The wind has backed around to ENE 10-12.
February 9, 2000
0315 The wind is up to 25 kts holding steady and the boat is pressed down hard to starboard. I watch for a while to see if the wind will abate and finally decide to take in a reef. There is a lot of water flying about on deck and not wanting to get my pajamas wet I shed them in the cabin. I climb out over the companion slides attired, as I was when I came into the world. I adjust the steering vane to bring the bow a little more into the wind so the main is luffing some, take up on the topping lift, ease the main halyard and take up on the reefing line. The main slowly comes down about 3-4'. I secure the main halyard and put the reefing line on the winch to haul it down snug. Then I secure and put the halyard on the winch to take the wrinkles out of the mainsail along its luff. With that done I ease the topping lift so that the sail is carrying the weight of the boom. Next I take the roller furler line for the jib to the deckhouse winch and haul it taught. Alternately easing the leeward jib sheet and taking up on the Harken roller furler, I reduce the size of the jib to a more manageable sail. With that done, I adjust the wind vane to put the boat back on course and I sheet the jib in just enough to eliminate the luffing. As I climb back over the companion slide boards into the cabin, I note that the wind has dropped to 17 kts. Shortly afterward it drops to 8-10. I watch for a bit to assure myself that the wind vane is going to maintain the boat on track and start to climb back into my bunk. I am greeted by wet bedding. I know immediately what has happened. Water has found its way in through the dorade vent, which is immediately over the foot of the bunk. This is a cleverly designed devise that lets ventilating air enter the cabin while keeping water out - most of the time. I close the vent by screwing a cap down over the opening and I do the same with the vent in the head. I then strip the wet bedding off the bunk and lay it out in a manner such that hopefully it will get dryer as time goes by. Of course being wetted by salt water, no fabric really dries until washed in fresh. I will do that at Bridgetown.
0627 Sunrise.
0700 Lying in the leeward bunk with a good breeze blowing, the boat seems to be racing along. I hear the water rushing past just a few inches from my ear as the boat slides down a wave. She heaves up and down, rolls a little, pitches some, and sways from side to side in endless motion. Lying on my stomach with the mattress absorbing the accelerations and decelerations of my body I feel a
little bit like I am riding on a big trampoline. The sensation is not objectionable but it does seem endless.
0840 I start the engine to charge batteries. I will let it run for about two hours and then cut it off.
1100 I secure the engine and since the wind has freshened to 20-25 kts and is forecast to remain so, I have taken in a second reef in the mainsail and further reefed the Jib. The boat is making about 6 kts.
1145 With the wind temporarily abated to about 17 kts I decide to get the staysail up. I switch into my bathing suit for the inevitable dousing I am going to get and don the harness & tether. I climb on deck and rig the port running back stay and then move forward to get the staysail up. I do that with the water flying and then get it trimmed. I stay on deck to straighten up halyards and other lines that are lying about. With everything shipshape I go back over the slide boards and make some lunch, which I bring back on deck with my book. In spite of the flying water, it is delightful on deck - far more pleasant than being cooped up in a cabin with limited ventilation. Lord's Prayer is pushing along
nicely at her 7 kt hull speed.
1300 The wind is a strong 25 kts off the port beam. I have stowed jib and she is under the staysail and double reefed mainsail. I put the heavy weather vane on the Monitor. The waves are getting rather impressive.
1700 With the wind now abated to 18-20 kts, I pull out a little of the jib to regain a double slot and to keep the boat moving at a brisk pace.
1757 Sunset.
2230 I encounter a wind & rainsquall. With the wind at 27 kts I roll up the jib.
2240 Position: 16-18N 059-34W. The distance remaining to Bridgetown is 193 NM. ETA is still Friday.
END OF LORD'S PRAYER LOG, Part 14

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