What do you call it when two sailboats are in view of each other? A race! We’ve finally got some breeze again after a few interminable days of motorboating towards Bermuda and have had a glorious day sailing upwind, doing 8, sometimes 9 or 10 knots through the waves.
Ruan and Lacey, who had just emerged from seasickness in the calm weather, are back to the struggle again, although all have found their sea legs – no more vomitous offerings to Neptune! ย The new struggle is just moving about on a boat that is at a constant 20 degree heel, learning how to use the motion through the waves to propel yourself forward.
Just before sunset, we spotted a sail on the horizon, and the race is on! ย Unfortunately, we looked at their AIS beacon as well, and have discovered they’re motoring straight upwind towards Bermuda, while we sail the longer course – hardly sporting. ย Still, we’re sailing a lot faster than they’re motoring, so we’ve got some good competition for the first slot on the customs dockย tomorrowย morning.
-Eric Loss, Captain, Sea Dragon, May 7, 2014
