Tuesday, 16 June 2009

Giving it all

posted by Bart at 18:55

Jager has finished, well done!

But now it remains to me to finish in time to still beat him on handicap. In an ultimate effort to safe some distance I sailed right over the infamous Nantucket shoals. Having studied the charts, tidal information and the weather, I decided to enter the shoals at 4107N. There was only very little swell (otherwise I wouldn't have dared...), but the wind increased to some 12 to 14 knots, making me finally go fast again!

It's quite a nerve wrecking exercise! These shoals are covered by rather impressive tide rips, whirlpools and breaking waves in odd directions (like on a mountain river). Going into that water, under full main and code 0, at 7,5 to 8 knots, and watching the water depth going as you enter the breaking water. 20m, 20, 20, 20, 18, 15, 10, 8, 6, 4, 3,5, 3,5, (oeff!), 4, 8, 12, 16, 22, 22, ... And that was it, only maybe 30 seconds, but leaving me with wet hands and sweat on my forehead! But it safes at least an hour, more if the wind drops. There were three of those banks, a few miles apart, and all were exciting!

Now I am sailing quite close past Nantucket Island, and bound for an island called Noman's Land at 35 miles to go. The wind has increased to about 18 knots and I can just carry the code 0, going flat out! After that, it's straight to the finish!!! Another 60 miles to go, Newport, here we come! (and wind, please stay...)

Bart

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