[password] STUART32
[position] 30 45.390N 158 54.900w
[date] 2019-05-24
[status] We knew there was a front that we had to go through, and upon exiting that front we would experience northerly winds for a day or two. That is pretty much how it played out over the last 24hrs. As yesterday afternoon unfolded the clear skies were no more, we had 100% cloud cover by late afternoon. At around 8pm we entered the front and were forced to bring in the genoa and motor sail with the main sail only. Apart from the normal rain and high variability in wind strength and direction, it fortunately packed no punch at all. Late this morning we started to exit the front. As expected the winds were northerly around 10 knots. What we didn't count on was the 1.5m southerly swell turning northerly which undoubtedly resulted in the creation of a northerly based current of 1.0 to 1.5 knots. That has slowed our progress north considerably. The good news is that as I type this update the skies are clearing; which we hope means the forecast westerly based winds may arrive sooner than forecasted [which was not for another 24hrs]. In the meantime, the engine has charged our batteries, we have topped up our water tanks, and been indulgent on all things electrically based. Looking forward to turning the engine off and sailing again.
[weather] COG 005T, SOG 4.4kts, N10kts, swell is N1.5m, 1023 baro, 40% cloud cover and rapidly clearing.
[END]