Day ONE and NIGHT ONE!

Before I forget, I would like to thank you for reading my blogs! I also want you to know that all your comments are read and appreciated! During my night watches I read comments, however seldom have wifi on and therefore do not comment back. Comments often brings a smile to my face. 💙

At 17.15 Pacific Standard Time. N23*14.87 W109*15.57

COG: 174* SOG: 4.5 kn

We motored out of the anchorage to get away from rocks and shore. After about 45 min, I raised the sails and was heading south following the cost line of south Baja. We hardly had any wind at first, so Sarantium did a fair bit of bobbing around. Swell was building slowly as we played cribbage and took turns swimming while hanging off the dragging line for safety. The blue water has intensified in the past 2 hours. Sea lions, Manta Rays, and whales are frequent visitors. North Westerlies are building and the forecast predicts winds between 10-20kn. We are getting closer to the trade winds! I just got to keep an eye on three to four large boat coming my way. Zaandam, Navigator of the Sea, Julian II and CSL Tecumseh. The last one, I have already hailed 4 days ago, as we were on collision course, so we know each other. Fortunately, they altered course on that day. Let’s see if it is the same captain and he remembers me! Out, for now!

The night was somewhat long. Wind never quite filled in and I was trying hard to keep Sarantium on a close haul to head south west. At times I dropped the sails, tied off the heavy furling boom to the side, as swell bounced it around and made it difficult to sleep. As we were situated about 15 NM off the south end of Baja and current was bringing us further south, I decided to sleep for an hour. Just as my alarm went off, wind started to build and at 8 kn of wind I raised the sails. It is always excited to feel the wind build and I always think to myself “this is it” and unfortunately so far it never turns out to be “it”! This went on all night and finally at 04.00 I turned the engine and motored South West. Around 05.00 I handed over the helm to my crew, Adrian, and I went to bed. I believe wind decided to tease some more and sails were hoisted and dropped for the next 4 hours. This makes for a very restless sleep below. 🤬 I ended up playing musical beds for the four hours as the forward cabin is quieter when engine is on and aft cabin is quieter when sailing…. around 09.00, we raised the sail again! This time, I am hoping for the last time until the equator!

N22*35 W109*25 COG: 189* Boat speed: 4.5 kn 2-3 ft swell. Wind direction: 230* SouthWest. Cloud cover.

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