Hello everyone from ACCIONA 100% EcoPowered,
I have had to take a heading towards the east to avoid getting caught up in an area of light wind that would have left me close to the land, so I prefer to sail further out. I also gybed just after the position report, which gave me time to do so before AKENA.
I think I have done the right thing and the last few reports are showing it, so I am going to go for more miles again in the next few reports. At least I'll be sailing with more wind for a few more hours.
It is clear that on a starboard tack with the broken rudder in the water, the boat is losing almost 30% of her speed. I had been making some good miles since Cape Horn, when I was on a port tack.
Last night I had to gybe because of the weather, and I tried to sail fast but with 28-32 knots of wind, I could only withstand the solent with one reef, which meant losing quite a few miles. As well as the fact that I was doing a really bad VMG (velocity made good) for the whole of the route eastwards.
I tried with the gennaker but it gave me two good wipeouts, leaving the boat shaking for a good while afterwards, so I have decided to take it more calmly and not break anything. It is frustrating, but something happened and I have to sail with this problem. I can stand anything up to 17-18 knots, but then the rudder just responds too late and goes into a broach.
This is actually the last area where we might find really strong downwind conditions, and up to Les Sables d’Olonne we will be sailing much closer to the wind.
Bubi
