Rangval Redux

Andy on Watch

Amy on Watch

I write this from Norwegian Steam as she approaches the midpoint of our 282 nautical mile voyage from Los Frailes to Puerto Vallarta. We started yesterday morning after having spent three nights anchored in Frailes, hoping to wait out a strong norther, not daring even to go ashore for fear that the 2 hp. engine on our dinghy might not be powerful enough. As we started out, Sally was at the helm, sailing at two to three knots without any sails up. I hooked our Monitor wind vane self steering to the tiller. It is customary to personify a self-steering gear, as if it were a human helmsman. I chose to call ours Rangval, to honor my paternal grandfather, who was big, strong, helpful and reliable, all traits of a good helmsman. After fifteen minutes we hoisted our new storm jib, the smallest headsail on the boat, which is of very heavy traditional constuction, sewn by Schattauer Sails. Out speed jumped to five and half knots. It was clear the norther was not over. After another eight hours we hoisted the staysail alone on the headstay. Still no mainsail. The wind was coming over the port quarter and that was also the dominant direction of the seas. We spent a very uncomfortable day and night, rolling and yawing, sometimes violently, in the quartering seas.
Today both wind and waves have diminished. Four foot waves have replaced eight footers. Now we are running wing-on-wing at six knots, with full main and the yankee poled out to windward. The motion is much more comfortable. Finally Amy may be able to get some sleep. Rangval is steering masterfully.
Our current position is 21 degrees 55.4 minutes north, 107 degrees 43.4 minutes west.

Sunrise on the Ocean

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