Galapagos to the Marquesas- verse
It is tiring to fight against 5 knots
Of wind on account of the need
To get further south where the trade winds are
But at least we have quite good boat speed
Now we`re 4 degrees south and we bear off the wind
This is better, but will the wind stay?
The Marquesas seem quite a long distance off
(And they are) but we`re on our way
It stays on the beam for the next 2 days
And we rollick at up to 9 knots
There`s a one and a half knot current to help
But those islands are still only dots
It`s hard to relax when you`re going this fast
And 3 metre seas hit the boat
Could the wind moderate just a little bit?
We`d enjoy our time more afloat
It drops and it comes around more to the east
As the sails start to slat we perceive
What a silly request it was to make
Is the wind still there to retrieve?
We promise we`ll make no more silly requests
If the wind comes up again
It relents and we rollick along once more
Let it stay just like that, Amen
Now we find it comes round to east south east
And we`re scudding along on a run
With our 2 headsails goosewinged (one on each side)
It`s working (touch wood) and its fun
This wood touching lasts for several days
Then the wind moves almost to east
It`s hard when you`re rolling to keep the sails filled
But we`re half way there at least
Our gear is starting to show signs of wear
Some chafing is starting to show
The mainsail`s supported by coat hanger wire
With 1200 miles to go
But our new sail arrangement is working quite well
It looks like a great big kite
It fills pretty well with 12 knots of wind
And it`s comfortable at night
At night the wind tends to come up a bit
And the swell tends to flatten out
So we`re scudding along by the light of the stars
This is what cruising sailing`s about
But the gremlins arrive and they`re up to no good
A prop blade falls off and the pole track lifts
So our options contract with a fair way to go
We must hope for some helpful wind shifts
With some problems to solve and panache required
It will be no surprise to relate
That the Admiral casually doubles her role
And performs with real skill as first mate
A good wind arrives from a bit south of east
With speeds up to 20 knots
This allows us to sail in conventional rig
May the wind hold up. We need lots
With 5 days to go we are getting close
But be patient, there`ll be no encore
Just relax and enjoy the vast spaciousness
Of the sea, sky and stars galore
With just 3 days to go the gremlins return
The main foil is now hanging loose
Can we nurse her along for the rest of the way?
Could the gremlins not grant us a truce?
We do nurse her along with a headsail poled out
On the last solid bit of the track
Then we boom out the second (twin) headsail as well
(The best form of defence is attack)
As we edge ever closer the wind drops down
With 85 miles still to go
It is tempting fate we realize
To put on a spinnaker show
We arrive at last at le baie des Vierges
Fatu Hiva`s phallic bay
(The original “verges” became “vierges”
When the missionaries had their say)
We drink Tattinger at 5am
As a modest celebration
Of 21(dry)days at sea
Our longest navigation.
May 2012
