31 42 N
150 30 W
60 NM made good to Sitka - 1643 to go
We didn't do so well on Day 6. The rain we had the night before was our indication that the quasi stationary front that has been dogging us, passed over us. As a result, late yesterday morning we went from confused winds and seas to strong winds and seas coming at us from the north. We had no choice but to bear off on a heading of 90 true. Very soon we had rolled away the jib, hoisted the staysail and double reefed the main. We were relatively comfortable, but it was very noisy and we were quite frustrated that we would have to endure these conditions for little gain. However, as the night progressed, the winds gradually became quite light and by morning we found ourselves becalmed, bobbing around in a rolly sea. Then the sun broke through the fog.
What to do? Doug went back to his weather analysis using weather faxes from NOAA and grib files and postulated that if we were to motor ENE for the next 6 hours, we might actually be able to get back into the southern winds coming off the front in conjunction with the high to the east of us. If we could do that, there would be a very likely possibility of having those winds driving us in the northerly direction we needed to go. If we could not find those winds, we could be wallowing around in these unsettled conditions until the front disappates, or worse, be stuck in the middle of a windless high. (When you do a long passage like this one, no wind is actually worse than too much wind because it means you are going nowhere and using up your resources). We are crossing fingers and toes that the plan works.
Otherwise, the muffins I baked yesterday did take some of the dampness out of the inside of the boat and the little bit of sun we had this morning helped as well. We are in good spirits and comfortable and in the groove!
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