The first leg

14 March 2020

We are two days out from San Miguel on the Azores at this moment and the reader may think that we are heading back home to Rotterdam. We have sailed north around the island to approximately 40 degrees north where we have now turned towards the east.  However, the reason for this manoeuvre has been to sail outwards from the centre of the high pressure area surrounding us and to pick up the northerly airflow that will hopefully carry us to the Strait of Gibraltar.

This morning we are doing a satisfying 5 to 6 knots with our forecourse up together with the other topsails.  The forecourse is a humongous square sail of 150 square metres that hangs from to the lowest yard arm.  It takes at least four to carry and twice that number to hoist.

The first leg

Looking back on our first leg of our journey we have had superb close hauled sailing with fine weather for almost ten days. Coming up from the lower altitudes, the theory is that the northeast trades will blow you northwest half way across the Atlantic before the wind, God willing, veeres to east and then southeast under influence of the left side of the Azores high. Leaving you then with little wind in the high pressure area to make it to one of the islands in the group (usually Horta on Faial) in the west of the Archipelago.

However, this time we had a strong northeasterly wind only for a couple of days before the wind started veering bit by bit from northeast to east to southeast. This allowed us to deviate from our straight line to Ponta Delgada on San Miguel only moderately.  Also the wind carried us straight into port without delay.  Overall average speed has been 6.5 knots.  The sailing has been glorious with beautiful weather allowing for plenty of sun and star sights. The heavy weather gear has not been unpacked yet.  All this has been good for the morale and the mixed British/European crew has settled in well.

Interesting detail is that the authorities closed Ponta Delgada harbour a day after we entered port. Thankfully let us leave, having obtained a clean bill of health.  After all we have been breathing nothing but sea air.

Guest crew-member Maarten van Eden