Solo sailing during Covid-19 crisis

As the covid-19 crisis develops around the world, all if us privileged enough to live in a G20 country are experiencing social disruptions, a health crisis and economic uncertainty at a level unprecedented in modern times. Unfortunately, the anxiety caused by the pandemic: loss of economic security,  fear for the safety of your loved ones, and fear for the loss of your own life are not unprecedented for the many people of our planet living through a long list of ongoing crises occuring constantly and in parallel around the world. 

With that said, I am going to be using one of my most prized privleges by reducing my work week to 4 days during the expected down-turn over the next 5 weeks and using that extra time to solo sail my beautiful sailing vessel, an Ericson 34-2 named "Valkyrie". I will be logging my trips and for every nautical mile (NM) I cover under sail I will be donating $2 to Doctors Without Borders for their work providing care to the people of the world in their times of crisis. I invite you to join me virtually in my goal to sail 100NM between now and May 15.

Day 1 of daysailing challenge. April 3, 2020.

The day started looking like a bust for sailing, calm winds, cold and overcast. After spending time getting prawn gear and baits sorted I motored out to set a few traps and await a change in the weather. Water darkened to the north indicating an approaching front. Scrambled to get the sail cover and ties off the main, but the winds filled in to a fresh 15kts before it was ready, so unfurled the genny and started the ride on port tack. Removed the port lazy jacks and finished prepping then tacked to starboard and raised the main. No sooner then the halyard was made fast, the wind settled down to about 8 kts and Valkyrie sailed smartly up Stuart channel heading NW at 6kts overground. Covered about 2 miles before the winds dropped further, backed to west then died completely. It was drizzling and cold during the N winds so I went bellow to warm up with a hot drink. From bellow I felt the boat start to heel, so back up to be gretted by clearing skies and a building breeze, now decidedly WSW. Loosened off the sheets and Valkyrie was soon on a broad reach continuing NW up Stuart channel towards Ruxton island. By the time we were passing by Miami islet (named for the coal barge lying wrecked there) it was time to head back. I turned to port and hardened the sheets until Vakyrie was ready for the beat back home. Hard on the wind we tacked several times to keep to the open part of the channel with the strongest breeze.After the fith tack the wind suddenly veering to NW, gusting to 20kts and pouring rain. Nearly rounding up, I quickly let out the sheets and got settled on a broad reach for a few moments until the winds died to completely calm. This is the essence of spring sailing, just like how the land folks can't figure out what to wear, you have to be versatile and react to the whimsy of the weather.I eventually gave up, furled the head sail and motored back to my traps were there were two dozen juicy spot prawns waiting for dinner.

Total miles covered under sail: 16.38NMTop speed: 6.5Average: 3.6Time: 4:30

Day 2 of daysailing challenge  April 11, 2020

Untied lines at 9am and motored out into a rousing 12 knot Northwest breeze. Clouds obscured the morning sunshine, blending sombre tones of grey in sea and sky. Although anxious to raise the sails, I still maintained my routine of setting prawn traps outside the bay to greet me upon my return. No sooner than the marking buoy was cast off, I had the genoa set close-hauled on port tack and raised the main. I often raise sails without motor power. If you sail and haven't tried it, you really should. The breeze was soon down to 8kts as Valkyrie made way northward through Stuart channel. Clouds cleared, the winds died further, and soon Valkyrie was beating up the wide channel in just 5kts of wind under blue sky and sunshine. I spotted another sailor coming from the west and now heading northbound. I heard once that whenever two boats are within sight and headed in similar directions, the race is on...and so it was. I was using all my tricks to keep 3 to 4 kts of boat speed, loosened the outhaul and halyard, reduced backstay, constantly adjusting the traveler, fiddled with the fairleads. No matter my efforts, I just couldn't close the gap.Soon the wind died further, and along with the foul current Valkyrie was no longer making much headway at all. The other boat gave up and started drifting south, I persevered for some time but made no more northward progress. The water was glassy to the north, but a light breeze had built up to the south, perfect for an A-sail reach back toward home.Set the kite "purple haze" for a close reach and started seeing some boat speed; 5 then up to 6 kts with only 5 kts apparent wind, just forward of the beam. I'm always amazed when Valkyrie exceeds the wind speed through the magic of fluid dynamics. A close reach soon led to a beam reach, broad reach then finally a run dead down wind, I managed to get the kite flying wing on wing which is the most efficient way to get ddw on Valkyrie without an actual spinnaker.As I made my way back to my traps I doused the kite and got the Genoa set in the light winds. I spotted the buoy and managed to pick it up under sail, first try. Hauled up 30 prawns and a small surprise as well.

Miles under sail 19.73 nmTime 6 hrsAverage 3.3 kts