This was a text forwarded from Donald’s friend, Ian (who helped him with the repairs in La Coruna.)
“… I went into a tired, but harrowing night with some fair sized swells, which is never fun. Remember our 2015 voyage? Haha. Same thing. The swell direction was awkward for autopilot, which only wants to go in straight line. The AP simply couldn’t handle it and we must have had about 6 broaches afterwards, always as I was nodding off. I had a few harsh words to say to the autopilot! But then the boat eventually settled down, or rather, the sea state changed and I managed to get a couple of hours sleep in. Our speed is a bit erratic here, nearing a transition to gybe away from the high developing. But an hour ago, we topped at 19.6 knots, obviously sustained surfing. I’m glad I’m pulling away (from the two boats closest behind). I thought they may catch me with all the broaching and poor steering going on. The decision now is when to change to the A3, the big reacher. At 155 m2, she would’ve been a bit wild to control in yesterday’s winds, but the winds are scheduled to die a bit and routing is showing reaching conditions for a few days.
The sun is now out, and I’ve got a pair of shorts on. Fantastic change! In the meantime, I’m heading to Guadeloupe as fast as I safely can.”
And I just received another message:
He thinks he’s at a better wind angle that those behind him and “my day’s been good, so I think I’ll post around 250 nm in the next 24 hours.”
Go Donald!
Power of One 