TUESDAY 10TH JANUARY 2007
POSITION: 15 45N 93 50W – EAST SIDE OF TEHUANTEPEC BAY, MEXICO
DISTANCE TRAVELLED: 282 miles, Noon to Noon
WIND: 40 to 60 knots Northerly
WEATHER: Bright blue skies, warm and very nice except for the wind!
NEWS:
WOW – What a day! We motor sailed in light airs yesterday afternoon
and rounded the western point into Tehuantepec Bay at 2200hrs. By this time
there was quite a big swell and confused sea from ahead although not much
wind still. We hugged the coast for 90 miles heading NE into the bay. The
wind was gusting from all directions but the sea had calmed down and we
seemed to have a counter current in our favour. By daybreak the wind was 35
knots and we were making good progress, better than expected. Within the
hour the wind increased to 45 to 50 knots and we were screaming along under
sail across the top of the bay, making 13 to 14 knots with spray and water
flying in every direction. We had a deep reefed main and tiny bit of the
staysail out on a beam reach which continued for about 3 hours when we could
bear away a bit along the eastern shore. The wind started to decrease which
gave Penny a chance to rustle up some food and for us to secure the deck
again as the cover on the tender had come loose. Just when we thought it was
all over back came the wind again and pretty soon it was steady at 50 knots.
Fortunately T bay is renown for this behaviour so we were well prepared and
had a really memorable sail. We are still reefed right down and heading down
the western shore out of the bay.
Needless to say we do not have any fishing lines out! All on board are
really happy and well.
PHil
