51° to 52°: tough one

The night wasn’t as smooth as I got used to: Plenty of rain with fog and changing winds all the time. Also the channel gets tighter. Not much space for sleep! On top of everything I have little mishap with the Gennaker. I furled it during a transition phase when the wind temporarily died. And without wind pressure and too little tension on the sheet, the sail furls loosely. The baggy Gennaker sail then has plenty of canvas bits sticking out waiting for the breeze to attack. I leave it hoisted furled as is - I know this is potentially asking for trouble but expect no significant wind and let it be. When the new wind sets in, it is an upwind situation with about 18 knots apparent. Main and Genoa are indicated. I unfurl the Genoa and immediately hear something is bad: the channeled wind has opened a bubble in the Gennaker which is now violently pounding and flapping. I have seen how similar situations quickly deteriorate. Adrenaline is rushing, better be smart now. A bit of slack in one of the Gennaker sheets so that I can take it down on a side of the Genoa, I let fly the halyard and wrestle down the Gennaker. No damage taken. Puhh, awake again. Close call.

At least the speed afterwards is good until 9am when I enter the Strait of Belle Isle, the narrows between Newfoundland and mainland Canada. Here the wind is funneled directly on the nose. Sails down, both engines on and push through against 20 knots of wind - and I can’t see a thing, it’s supposed to be beautiful here but visibility is ~50 meters. The radar is such a great tool!

Around noon I get really tired but so close to shore and with the fog no place to nap. Water temperature dropped from 11°C to 3°C over night. We are now in Labrador waters. The aluminum hull in the bilges is at 3°C, too. Heating the boat causes condensation at these cold spots. They will now stay wet until we reach warmer waters of the Pacific. Hmm, not sure I like that thought very much. I am taking the precautions that have worked well last year: vent critical places under the beds, mattresses and certain closets. Place chemical dehumidifiers in critical spots. I stay awake by keeping busy.

My plan is to motor to Chateau Bay, anchor and get a good night of sleep before we head out into iceberg territory. Got to manage the sleep battery when single handed!Read more