May 17

Written by:
5/17/2010 12:29 PM 

Day 17 – Friday May 14th, 2010

Winds back to Force 5 and with them the mizzen came down again. 480 miles to go. I’ve gone a bit bored not only with my daily sailing routine, but with writing about it as well. Scrolling through the ipod I look for the songs I know by heart, but haven’t listened to in years. The U2 I knew in high school blares from the speakers as I stand perched in the cockpit riding Jargo like a surfboard more than a boat.

My mind tries to conjure a future that is tenable. I fear a lack of self discipline may be sufficient to keep me from eking out a career as a writer. Sitting for an exam I could get my USCG Captains License, but what then? Run charters or fight the multitude of other qualified sailors for delivery jobs? Sailing school? Selling dairy feed? An independence streak too long to be healthy will make it difficult for me to ever go to work again for someone else, but I also miss the productivity and confidence that comes with doing a job well.

I was a good salesman because I excelled at articulating how I could solve my clients problems. While I love the challenge of starting a thing, I don’t seem to have the temperament for long term management. Where that leaves me once I pull back into wherever it is I’ll call home port I have no idea. Jargo is racing towards the setting sun once again. I think I’ll go and watch it once more, but with the first cold beer I’ve had in 17 days at sea.

20 Days at Sea – Monday May 17th, 2010

Only 90 miles to go, but I had to turn the engine on in anger for the first time in almost 3000 miles. The wind died the day before yesterday and with all sail set I could only make 3 – 4 knots in 7 – 8 knots of wind. The swell was slow to fade and with every roll of the boat the sails would back wind then fill violently stressing their very fibers, the rig, and all points between.

This morning at dawn I found I was only making 3 knots and that would mean another 48 hours at sea instead of a landfall tomorrow. Easy call. I’ve sailed 2900 miles pure and true without a drop of diesel for propulsion, I don’t mind burning a few gallons this close to Fatu Hiva with no wind to work with.

For three days now I’ve had morning and evening VHF contact with a couple on s/v Jewel. They’ve been kind enough to provide evening watch support for me letting me get a bit more rest knowing there is a set of eyes watching the horizon. They left Isabela the day after I did and I look forward to meeting them in person. I think I’ll even throw my last bottle of champagne in the fridge today and run it over to share with them once both our anchors are safely down.

It has been a long sail and so close to land I still can’t tell exactly how I feel about the whole experience. Like not being able to see the forest for the trees I am still too close and in this moment to be able to think about or reflect on it.