September 25, 2009

Lost That Race
Last night wasn't as bad as I expected, though when the trough arrived it kicked us pretty hard and rained for a couple hours. Unfortunately conditions continued to deteriorate all day. Mid afternoon we were getting seas to 5 meters, wind gusting to 50 knots. The storm jib worked well, but we couldn't steer any more, nor could the autopilot or wind vane. Wave shapes and size are just too bad, so we are now on the sea anchor. This is the first time in 5 uses of the sea anchor that we ever had a wave come on deck, but we've had 2 wash right over the boat this afternoon. Forecast seems to suggest this goes on for more than 24 hours, then we get a 24 hour break, then another front arrives, so when we leave it will be as fast as possible to Bay of Islands. We have about 150 miles to get in. May get hit with the next front as we enter NZ. Sure would like to get a break! Ted