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WIND:
SEA:
SKY:

We cleared the mouth of the Delaware Bay this morning at breakfast time.  Wind spent the morning being fickle from the northwest and we danced a jig trying to capture it.  Once all sail was set, we had to strike the square topsail as wind came ahead.  As we motored along while the wind was near calm, the drawing headsails became slack and they too had to be taken in.  The light wind backed counter-clockwise to the south and this dictated jibing the sails over for a starboard tack.  Then, mercifully, the wind filled in after lunch and all sail was set, including the gantāsl (top gallant for you aficionados) and the studding sail.  With the wind on the starboard quarter at 12 knots, Pride II glided along as beautifully as ever. With the increase to 16-20 knots, she romped along in fine fashion.  The sea has been nearly calm due to the previous lack of wind, so the motion has been easy.  There has been some more backing, so the wind has angled forward on the starboard side.  We held on to the studding sail as long as we could, but finally it was taken in just a few minutes ago.  Still, without it and the wind more on the beam, Pride II continues to sail speedily along.  This has been a wonderful respite from the motoring.

Life aboard is going through its settling down faze. Confusion over details is reducing and discussions concerning the daily routine have been clarifying for all.  Sail handling has not been smooth, but those glitches have also had a role in getting everyone tuned in to what is necessary to do their jobs properly.  Garbage and trash segregation has been established, shipboard cleaning scheduled - maintenance, too.

All through this, I have been digging out weather reports and weather maps and trying to discern why the digital charting software started freezing up this morning.  For reasons unclear, it has stopped freezing up.  Nice!  But why did it start in the first place?  Meanwhile the fishing lines, which were put out around mid day, have been attracting Blue Fish.  Two were brought aboard out of the 4 or 5 hits that we know about.  I wonder what Katie (our cook) will do with them tonight?

With shipboard order coming along and the glitches stopped for now, my thoughts go to where to point Pride II for this crossing.  From a weather standpoint, it could be important just how far north we try to go first off.  Too far and a storm could be quite mean.  Not far enough north and there could be headwinds rather than favorable winds.  What to do, what to do!  For now it is best to keep gathering weather information until a plan or opportunity emerges.

Cheers,
Captain Miles