Wet’n'cold
Visit Finland has cleared Luzon Strait and entered East China Sea after couple of bouncy days. Weather has cooled down and crew is donning full foulies, mid-layers, hats and gloves.
Indeed it was like flip of the weather switch: shorts, t-shirts and sun creams are gone for good. Everything has to be in dry bags from now on, as condensation is wetting everything left hanging out from the bunk. I experienced this first hand when discovered that my boots were soaked inside out thanks to condensation dripping straight into them. I’ve had to already dig out the waterproof socks and engage in rather complicated logistics of keeping my dry suit dry inside, when everything is wet up on deck and down below.
Skipper Oli got laughing fits when I tried to fashion a waterproof bottom from a bin liner for keeping my base layers dry whilst sitting on wet cushions by the nav desk. Who knew it would have been useful to bring rain trousers for leisure wear on board? Perhaps I’ll find a cheap pair from China. The binliner bottom failed despite good tries of cutting the corners off – the material is too flimsy. I hate to admit it, but my derriere did not fit in that rather small plastic bag.
Towards China
We’re trucking towards China now after clearing the Ocean sprint phase of the race. We’re slighly short handed now on my watch after couple of crash bang topple overs down below and a knee click on deck. Currently we’re only 3 able bodied heavy weather helms on deck at any time, so that’s a lot of work for few. We rotate three people on deck: one resting and warming up down below, three up on deck: the helm, shotgun and a gatekeeper. Despite sounds of it, we are not carrying firearms. A shotgun is a backup for helm, should s/he lose balance or control of the boat. Gatekeeper is seated next to the companionway making sure everyone clips on safety lines when getting up on deck.
The other day I was helming when true wind got up to 42 knots and apparent wind up to 47 knots. It was rather worrying for me as the guys were working on foredeck sorting out a snapped storm jib sheet, and it was my responsibility to keep them safe in rather lively conditions. In those situations you’ll just need to keep breathing and focus on feathering the boat upwind without crash tacking in big ocean swell.
Sleep
Sleeping is now easier when the boat does not crash and bounce quite as much as few days ago. We were truly airborne a good portion of the time off watch, and it was essential to sleep feet towards the bow. I dug out my waterproof sleeping bag yesterday, and to my horror discovered it was all mouldy! Who knows where the moisture had gotten into a dry bag, but there I was wiping the bag with bleach while should have been catching up precious sleep.
I’m heading off to my bunk now before cooking cous cous dinner for the crew with Carl.
Toodle-oo from East China Sea, 27 05′.822N 122 28′.623E
