San Carlos to Punta Chivato, Nov. 26
The winds are predicted to be from the North Northwest and seas are supposed to be from that direction also. This should mean a good passage with the seas on the starboard beam. Though they would be close to 6 feet and close together (meaning steep waves) Enosis could handle this well on the expected tack.
We wanted to set sail at dusk and through the night arriving in Punta Chivato around 10 or 11 in the morning. Night sailing makes it easier to see boats on the horizon, assuming they have their navigation lights as required. The same goes for aids to navigation, light houses, again assuming they are lit.
We left San Carlos at 5:30 pm just as the sun was setting. We got past the outer harbor and sailed 3 or 4 miles out to sea with a reefed main and jib. It became apparent that the wind and seas were not as predicted, but rather were coming almost on our nose, from the west. It was very uncomfortable beating into the steep short seas and we were being thrown about. Our forward progress was down to 3 knots. This meant we would have to face more than twenty-four hours of this sea before reaching our destination.
We had not put on our foul weather gear, but did have the PFD’s on. While Alice was in the cockpit sole trying to get the foulies out of their container under the seat, we had a breaking wave which dumped about 5 gallons into the boat. Alice got soaked to the bone, while Chris nimbly dodged the wave. Alice’s first comment was “We’re turning around!”
Chris said “Okay.”
As she is wont to do, when her foulie was on, and she was settled in her seat she said “Well, maybe we should go on.”
Chris pointed out that this wasn’t fun, we’re not on a schedule, and we are supposed to be having fun. He thought we should turn around, and we did.
This weather window didn’t work for us. The next wasn’t due for at least five days, so we decided to enjoy ourselves at the marina. Immediately, on reversing our course, Enosis flew along and we had an awesome sail back.
We wanted to set sail at dusk and through the night arriving in Punta Chivato around 10 or 11 in the morning. Night sailing makes it easier to see boats on the horizon, assuming they have their navigation lights as required. The same goes for aids to navigation, light houses, again assuming they are lit.
We left San Carlos at 5:30 pm just as the sun was setting. We got past the outer harbor and sailed 3 or 4 miles out to sea with a reefed main and jib. It became apparent that the wind and seas were not as predicted, but rather were coming almost on our nose, from the west. It was very uncomfortable beating into the steep short seas and we were being thrown about. Our forward progress was down to 3 knots. This meant we would have to face more than twenty-four hours of this sea before reaching our destination.
We had not put on our foul weather gear, but did have the PFD’s on. While Alice was in the cockpit sole trying to get the foulies out of their container under the seat, we had a breaking wave which dumped about 5 gallons into the boat. Alice got soaked to the bone, while Chris nimbly dodged the wave. Alice’s first comment was “We’re turning around!”
Chris said “Okay.”
As she is wont to do, when her foulie was on, and she was settled in her seat she said “Well, maybe we should go on.”
Chris pointed out that this wasn’t fun, we’re not on a schedule, and we are supposed to be having fun. He thought we should turn around, and we did.
This weather window didn’t work for us. The next wasn’t due for at least five days, so we decided to enjoy ourselves at the marina. Immediately, on reversing our course, Enosis flew along and we had an awesome sail back.