Sailing along ‘full and by’ the wind. Still cool and overcast but sailing well. Seas building to the breeze – all very comfortable. Sailmaking workshop today.
Our day started off great with Donald’s tasty, sticky, gooey cinnamon raisin buns for breakfast, or as Dawson, age 5 and 1/2, refers to them as “raisin burgers” – makes perfect sense, they sort of look like burgers.
It’s been a fun morning thus far on deck. Dustin, of Nova Scotia, Canada, was busy climbing the rigging, greasing various sections of the masts and blocks. Annie, of Ontario, Canada and Rune, of Norway, were busy bending on the mizzen topmast staysail after it had received a few patches in order to extends its life. Bending on a sail is a rewarding job, you spend an hour or two in the rigging attaching the very heavy piece of canvas to the yard or wire stay. Bending on a staysail is a bit tricky, as you are standing on a foot rope that runs athwart ship (across the ship rather than fore and aft), trying to stay balanced all the while your hands are working close proximity to your partner’s.
The dayman watch bill was posted, starting tomorrow those on the list will have a week working as either riggers or sailmakers. Today at 1500 those interested can begin making a ditty bag, the term meaning a tool bag which you can sling over your shoulder securing it for when you climb aloft with your tools. Making a ditty bag uses many of the skills of sailmaking, so that’s why we do this. Lots of jobs to keep us sailors busy, boredom is not a problem with this gang.
From: Galapagos
To: Pitcairn
Date: June 23, 2018
Noon Position: 02°15.3′ S x 092°11.3′ W
Course and Speed: SW x S 1/2s + 4.4′ kts
Wind Direction and Force: SExE + 4-5
Swell Height and Direction: 4 + SxE
Weather: Overcast, sunny patches
Day’s Run: 105.6nm
Distance to Port: 2578nm
Voyage: 3581.2nm
Sails set: Flying jib and royals were taken in at 1130, all other sails are set now at noon