Day 3 0800 UTC location: 25°42.20’N by 018°48.20’W. Yesterday we only averaged 5.6 knots at 1600 RPM. We are sad about our speed being down by so much.

Of course, the calm couldn’t last forever. By 0800, the seas had definitely picked up. Swells were now 4 feet and a little closer together, with 1 2 foot wind waves on top of that. Wind picked up to 12 18 knots apparent, still on the port aft quarter. It was still a nice ride overall, but noticeably lumpier and rollier than it had been. At the 0900 radio net, one of the boats told a joke. Q: What did the Atlantic say to the Pacific? A: Nothing. It just waved.

Sailors really like to talk about wind, and Eric spent most of the net bored as they discussed wind angles/speed and sail configurations.

By noon, it was definitely feeling more like open ocean. Not a bad day on the ocean, but now we were rolling as much as 15 degrees each direction instead of the 5 degrees each way that we had been rolling at prior. The wind waves are only 2 3 feet, and there isn’t much wave activity, but the swells have become monstrous. Well, OK, monstrous is a big exaggeration — they are only 8 feet, but sharp and steep, with a lot of velocity when they hit.

By 1800, it was what we would consider typical sea conditions, which is really rolly. The wind was up to 13 21 knots apparent and we were seeing more and more 15 degree rolls. It wasn’t quite to the point of “uncomfortable”, but it would only have to pick up a little more to make it to the “uncomfortable” category. It was definitely well into the “not fun” category. In addition to the rhythmic roll, we were getting the occasional really big rollers, as in 20 – 30 degrees each side. One particularly large roller sent everything loose flying across the boat, and we told Colin that rollers like that had hit us on a regular basis during the entire Pacific crossing, from San Diego to Australia. He found that unbelievable and has commented numerous times that with waves like that the whole time, he can’t believe we didn’t quit. Needless to say, it was definitely hard to walk around, and holding on to the boat at all times was a must.

It was another dark night, with a small moon and heavy cloud cover.

In other news, we saw a catamaran that came very close. We tried to hail it on the radio, but it never responded to our calls. All day we only saw 3 boats total, two sailboats and a ship. We also crossed the 4,000 hour mark on main engine. Eric figured out that we are averaging almost exactly 6.0 knots in speed around the world. And, finally, the anti-siphon valves squeak more than ever.

Day 4 – 0800 UTC location: 24°21.30’N by 020°59.60’W. Our average speed yesterday was 6.0 knots at 1600 RPM. At least we are maintaining our world wide average.

The swells are coming from two directions now, making the seas a bit confused, but the waves in and of themselves are not as bad as they were. Swells are about 4 to 6 feet, with 2 3 foot wind waves. Winds are fairly steady, ranging from 10 22 knots apparent from directly behind/port aft. Of course, the confused swells are making the autopilot unhappy, and it wanders a lot. So far, the worst day was yesterday, and it was nowhere near as bad as the average day in the Pacific. Everyone told us the Atlantic would be easier than the Pacific, and so far that is true. Praise God.

The morning started out cloudy, but by early afternoon the clouds had burned off and it was sunny. Seas and winds both picked up again in the evening, but it still was not nearly as bad as yesterday. The swells seem to be less confused and are more uniform in direction. The clouds reappeared around sunset, blocking sunset completely, and needless to say, it was another dark night.

In other news”¦ Today we were on the radio net and one of the sailboats said “I heard you had a crazy story in Stromboli”. They had emailed our mutual friend to tell them about meeting us, and the friend had replied with “Have them tell you about the Stromboli story”. That story seems to have gotten around. We wonder if we will ever meet someone for the first time and hear “I’ve heard of you”¦ that Stromboli story, right?”

The sulfur smell is back. Eric thinks the source of the smell is once again the bilge pad he keeps down there. Colin thinks sea water is trapped somewhere, probably a result of the flood in Stromboli. Colin could be right, since we never had issues with a sulfur smell prior to Stromboli. The smell only comes up after the boat has been running for a couple days, and only when the seas are bigger. In every case, the small has gone away shortly after stopping the boat.

Colin does the 2 -6 am and pm watches, Eric the 6 10 am and pm shifts, and the Christi 10 2 shifts. We are all settling into the routine and have more or less adjusted to the new sleep schedules.

When stocked up on bread products, we picked up a dessert to try. They are empenadas (a pastry along the lines of a thick pie crust folded in half, usually deep fried) with a sweet potato filling and coated in sugar. They are awesome. Colin has also introduced us to Tunnocks brand teacakes, one of his favorite foods as a child. It is a cookie bottom topped with generous amounts of marshmallow cream and dipped in chocolate. Yum. He was so sure we’d like them that we bought the biggest box in stock. We learned the proper way to eat them is to bite the cookie off the bottom in one bite (not easy), then eat the marshmallow in one bite, as well. Sea time can be so educational.

And a couple of blog questions:

Q: You do have a CO2 alarm inside the cabin and/or engine room, don’t you? You realize nausea may be caused by something other than hunger pains.
A: Yes, we have a CO2 alarm inside our bedroom, next to the engine room. After 24,000 miles, we are sure it is hunger pains. At least, 99% of the time. 😉

Q: How much fuel do you think you will use over the entire trip?
A: Please see FAQ #26

Q: Why does your boat roll with the waves? Don’t most power boats bounce on top of the water?
A: Please see FAQ #39