Weather & Work

Cool shot...

The wind has died down a bit today. My average speed was about 6knots so I'm still moving along - just not as fast as I would like to be. I was having a lot of fun with the 20 knot tradewinds!

From the weather report it looks like I have a cold front I'm headed into. I had hoped to hit it at a better angle but nothing is for sure with the weather. There are all kinds of wind angles and strengths where I am headed so it will be interesting to see what I get. According to the grib files (the weather forecasting software that I use on the boat) there won't be over 35 knots. I have a weather router who sends me reports every few days as well. He really has a much better idea of what is going on out there because he is looking at more than one weather model. I like to look at the grib files because it is really great to have all the details right here to look at as well.




Grib files for tomorrow.



Its over a month since I left Marina del Rey and going on a month from leaving Cabo. Before this, I had never spent so long at sea alone, but it really doesn't seem like a big deal. I am hopeless at keeping track of time out here. Day after day I do the same thing, so the days really blend together. There is everyday maintenance, or rather, maintenance prevention, of just going over the boat checking everything, checking lines, sails, belts, filters... cleaning off solar panels, tidying up the cockpit, topping off the water tank.


So far I've had very few problems, and anything that has happened I've been able to take care of before its turned into any big problem. I've patched up my gib, changed the engine diesel filter, cleaned out the water maker filter. I've flushed out and refilled my water tank (I had been having problems with the water being dirty, but its all cleared up now) and tightened the alternator belt a few too many times. Tightening that belt has got to be one of my least favorite jobs as it requires a few more hands then I've got, but I have to say, I'm getting pretty good at it!



Today I did laundry and its all hanging out side right now, hopefully it will dry before I get any squalls or much more wind!



My buddy charlie (a pelican) and me. I've lost my hair brush again, as you can probably tell.

Abby