[Password] abcisme
[Status]
Position: 26 12.732s 176 34e
Image: Tidying up between squalls
At 4pm yesterday we sat on the bow steps drinking coke with lime, talking about how beautiful the sailing was - blue skies, flat seas, and just enough wind to keep us cranking with the full sail plan. We then discussed when we would put in the third reef for the coming storm (something we added to let us reduce the sail area a lot for stormy weather).
At 4am the wind turned SW and we knew it was beginning. We had reefed down at midnight in preparation, but left the full head sail out to help us push SW. In hindsight, were should have reduced the head sail much earlier. We donned our foul weather gear, life jackets, harness etc, and the skipper went to the bow to haul in on the head sail furling line (to reduce the sail area to one third). We have previously broken this line and are operating with a jury rigged system that means we can not winch it in. The wind was building very quickly and Shell steered the boat into the wind and eased the sheet to let the sail flap about like a wild child having a tantrum. We hadn't tested our jury rigged system in these conditions and it just wasn't working. We tried a few different techniques but succeeded only in getting bruised, sore, cold and wet. To top it off, the head sail was now in an even worse position than when we started. So, we sat exhausted on the helm seat, ducking waves and watching the instruments, hoping for the first squall to pass so we could try again. The windometer refused to dip below 30 knots, so we trimmed the sail to spill air and waited it out. We had been running our one working engine during the shenanigans, and Shell was keen to make the most of the hot water and get some colour back into her cheeks with a hot shower and return to bed - she was, after all, "off watch".
An hour or so later the wind eased off enough for us to get the sails set the way we wanted them, we were given a fantastic rainbow and then the next squall came. We are now sailing, banging, and crashing along in a respectable fashion... Well somewhat respectable. NZ is to the SSW. We are currently moving WNW in strong SSW winds - ie. We we going away from our destination. Oh well, such is life, the wind will turn eventually as we get into the approaching high pressure. In a day or two are will be able to turn due south for Opua!l
To friends and family that are inclined to worry... We are both safe and happy. Libertalia is a very solid boat, capable of handling much more than we would ever want to throw at her. We have good access to up to date and high quality weather forecasting, including the services of a world class personal weather router. We have spent considerable time and money on safety equipment and know how and we take a conservative approach to how we manage the boat and our lives on board. We will reach NZ safe and cheerful in a week.

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