Weather and Projects

Weather and Projects. Those are the two things that define the time in a marina before a passage like the one we just did from the Canaries to the Cape Verdes.

Christopher spends hours looking through various sets of weather data such that we can make a good choice about when to leave. We want wind, but not too much wind. And it is worth waiting for wind to be from the right direction. Ideally the seas will be reasonably calm, or at least the waves will be commensurate with the wind. There is no better recipe for seasickness than steep waves and light wind because the boat is tossed around more and can never settle into a comfortable pattern of movement. Planning the route requires careful consideration of the weather patterns and forecast, major shipping channels, and the desired landfall.

While we are waiting, we work through various projects. There are repairs and upgrades to complete. Some are simple, like adding bungee cords to the basket in the cockpit to keep our wattle bottles from rattling around when sailing. Some are more complicated such as checking the electrical system to figure out exactly how many amps each item uses and confirm that there are no ghost users.

If you know Christopher, you are not surprised that we also go through an extensive passage prep list. This 3-page document includes many details that make for a more enjoyable passage. Some are related to the engine like checking the stuffing box, looking carefully at all the fluid levels, and changing the oil if necessary. There is a section about inspecting the rig, which includes cleaning all of the blocks, checking lines and sails for inappropriate wear, and coating then covering all of the pins that could wreak havoc on the jib sheets in particular. We also work to secure every item on board so everything stays in its place while the boat rocks and tips in every direction.

Preparing the food is not unlike packing food for a backpacking expedition. We have only an ice box so we limit the amount of food that requires refrigeration. After loading all of the dry goods, we carefully wash all of the produce in a bucket of lightly bleached water on the dock. In this way, we don't need to use our supply of water to clean the fruit and we are less likely to bring any bugs onboard. Passage prep means making sure that the first few meals of the trip are easy so that while we are all getting our sea legs, no one has to be in the galley for long.

If you wonder why there are not many pictures of Porter- it is because the above is the face he makes when the camera comes out!

Jack in the bilge making sure it is dry and clean before leaving.

 

All the fruit and vegetables were washed on the dock and now are drying in the cockpit

 

 

Laundry drying on two the life lines in the mairina in Lanzarote while Christopher checks the top of the mast.

 

 

And the Rabbit took his turn up high, soaping and cleaning the track for the main sail.

 

Oh yes! We all take our anti-seasick meds as part of our pre-crossing preparations