Saturday, March 27, 2010

Day Three - Underway

After a Thursday 0600 departure from the lovely Isla Providencia, we sailed and sailed and sailed. The winds were good at the beginning though the seas were about 6 to 8 feet and confused. It was great to sail and we didn't burn any fossil fuel. We made good time. Then it slowed to a just over 3 knots for much of the second night. The moon was very bright and up most of the night - and the skies were clear - sunny in the daytime and star-filled at night. We originally were planning on stopping at the Vivarillos - a protected reef area that is almost halfway between Isla Providencia and the Bay Islands. But we arrived there in the dead of night and decided to continue sailing. About 0200 on Saturday morning, the wind simply died and we were barely ghosting along at 2 knots. We decided that we needed to power up the engine and make some headway. So we finally succumbed to motoring. The weather report predicts better wind for the remainder of the trip - so as soon as there is enough breeze - we'll put the sails up and shut the engine off.

We've been dragging a line - but we were going so slow - no luck fishing. We did however, lose a lure. Bummer. We did catch one fish - A good sized flying fish flew right into the cockpit - and started smelling up the place. Of course, this always happens in the dark!

With the engine on, we're charging the batteries, making some water and doing a bit of laundry.

Multiple day passages gets you into a routine. Day one is usually getting the sea legs back and getting used to the motion of the boat. It also means getting used to sleeping in shifts - three hours on and three hours in bed. The first day it was so rolly - there was little sleep to be had. After awhile, you're body does adjust to the watches, the sea motion, and you get into a rhythm.

All is well - you can check our passage with position reports on the "where are we page" on the website.

We should get to Guanaja by Sunday afternoon.

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