Sunday, June 8, 2008

Atlantic Crossing Day 11 - Winging It

When sailing downwind on a broad reach, the best we can do is 135 degrees off apparent wind. When we want to run with the wind dead behind us, we need to configure the sails for wing-on-wing. The main sail is held off to one side with a preventer, and the jib is held out to the opposite side with the spinnaker pole. Sailing wing-on-wing today has allowed us to sail straight downwind without jibing to make our way point. We've been on the same tack all day, and it looks like it will hold for tomorrow.

Currently the wind is 15 kts. from the SW, and we have a SE-setting current at 2 kts. Our course over ground is 110, and we are averaging 6 kts. At times today we saw 8 kts. speed over ground. We are making up for some of the slow wind days now.

All is well aboard Solstice.

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