Up the chuff!

32°42.17’N 010°28.72’W

9th May 2020

This is what we signed up for. Crew and boat are now synchronised and the weather gods are blessing us with a steady breeze that has kept Far Out solidly parting the ocean swell. Her performance under sail has left nothing to be wanted, this is a boat I would trust to take us safely to the ends of the earth (any ‘flat earthers’ left?). Granted we have been gifted with an ideal wind angle, but her cut of sail, sleek shape and quality build make for a great ride. A few steps down the companionway and you would be none the wiser that we were cutting through the Atlantic at ten knots with a small jib and full main.

Things have changed. As I grow closer to the boat, so too do the crew, her potential shines through the dusty layer we left in. The last two weeks have become a distant memory, quickly overshadowed by the atmosphere that we have incubated on board. There’s nothing like a good sail to bring people together, and this team is no exception.

Janos continually regaled us with his incredible stories of immigrating from Hungary, one of the job-lists that I pinned to the chart table was being an ear for Janos. Dan’s experience and brotherhood continually proves itself to be indispensable, I have sailed with him for over 10 years as his second, third or even last in command, but this is the first trip with the two of us where I have a hold on the reigns, he’s doing a good job of maintaining the right balance of intervention and eventually became comfortable with me being the one in charge, not an easy task as a big brother. Greg has been cooking up a storm with Dan, in between documenting the trip with his camera, I haven’t eaten this well in a long time, hats off! Vitto’s expertise and scientist’s eye has also proven imperative to some of the failings in the rigging and sail set up, along with being a great sportsman and big help in every department. Really every one of the crew has pulled their weight, as expected, and there has been a wonderful flow of energy through the boat.

Everyone got stuck in to daily duties while we were stable and conditions allowed for it. Stainless polish out and touch ups where needed.

The moon is full and has graced us with a golden road to sail from. The chore of having to hand steer for lack of autopilot has now become a pleasure, each watch person having to pry the wheel off the excited hands of the last, these conditions are just ideal for a good sail. Tonight we will chew the miles up.

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34°51.91’N 008°04.4’W

11th May 2020

Our good fortune followed us up the coast of Africa. We all noticed a slight glow coming off the mainland in the early hours off the morning as we approached the lower latitudes of our hemisphere, a bustling world entirely unaware that we were bobbing along in the vastness of one our great oceans, only 70 miles offshore, though it feels like much more in these infinite horizons.

Another beautiful sunrise to enjoy with my unfalteringly positive watch buddy Janos, an unobstructed sun burst through the low lieing cumulus to present us with a show of force that can only be produced by nature, and here it is at it’s best.

Conditions were only improving so I called an early morning Spinnaker hoist, we needed to air the sails out and every movement we make on the boat is a learning experience for me, another file to download in the ‘Far Out’ folder in my mind. Sleep was still something of a valued commodity so the call was slightly begrudged by sleepy crew. Thankfully the sail is in a sock which makes it easy to hoist, pull the skirt up, and spread the shoulders out, effectively turning on boost mode. Unfortunately we were met with a small obstacle while trying to pull up the sock. The continuous uphaul line had clearly snapped on the last journey and was tied to itself, obviously unable to pass through the block at the head of the spinnaker. No dramas, sail down and a new task added to the list. Dan and Vitto quickly came up with a solution and I took over helping Vitto splice while Dan prepped another feast.

In no time we had the thing flying happily, increasing our speed by at least a knot and stabilising the boat in the building swell. Another day of speeding North toward the gates of our home, the Med. Again, no hands were idle, polishing, cleaning, helping abound, everyone motivated by their own initiative.

Tonight we will be approaching the straits of Gibraltar, my 8th time and last in my 20s. I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch to do this with.