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Thursday, April 18, 2024

Dalskilen, 92NM W of Massholmen

Based on the forecasts, we expected a nice easy night sail across to Norway. The forecast got some parts right. The wind direction was spot-on, as was the current. Wind strength, on the other hand…

Almost immediately after we had hoisted sail and settled into our watch routine, the wind started picking up. Soon we were at the forecasted top of 14kt. Then 20kt, 25kt, and rising. Eventually it settled to 36kt. And - not expecting that - we were carrying full sail with some difficulty. As the autopilot failed to cope, the boat was hand-steered downwind and Suski roused from bed.

Once we had the genoa rolled down to a sliver, and the main on second reef, things got a lot easier and we could get back on a westerly course. The big winds kicked up quite angry seas, and the deck and cockpit were constantly washed with salt water.

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After about two hours, the winds started getting to more reasonable numbers, and we could roll out the genoa again. Waves were slowly getting less steep, making even some sleep possible off-watch.

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At dawn we were greeted with a sight of the snow-capped mountains of the Norwegian interior. Sun shone on a clear sky, and we turned towards an anchorage at an easy broad reach. Soon, we were navigating the picturesque rocky coastline and preparing to drop the hook. Norway!



From the logbook

Time Position Course Speed Log Weather Remarks
18.04. 0:00 Z 58°23'38"N 10°21'26"E 295° 6kt 3771NM wind 12.6kt 355° baro 1014 hPa Hourly position log
18.04. 0:16 Z 58°24'15"N 10°19'1"E 302° 5.4kt 3772.5NM wind 15.2kt 7° baro 1014 hPa Sails set: Main (2nd reef), Genoa 1 (20% furled)
18.04. 0:56 Z 58°25'49"N 10°12'45"E 297° 5.9kt 3776.1NM wind 20.5kt 21° baro 1014 hPa Sails set: Main (2nd reef), Genoa 1 (40% furled)
18.04. 1:00 Z 58°25'59"N 10°12'6"E 295° 5.1kt 3776.5NM wind 18kt 11° baro 1014 hPa Hourly position log
18.04. 2:00 Z 58°28'16"N 10°3'50"E 298° 4.5kt 3781.4NM wind 18.3kt 3° baro 1014 hPa Hourly position log
18.04. 3:00 Z 58°30'52"N 9°54'57"E 270° 5.6kt 3786.8NM wind 20.7kt 36° baro 1015 hPa Hourly position log
18.04. 4:00 Z 58°32'22"N 9°44'6"E 290° 5.5kt 3792.6NM wind 18.6kt 36° baro 1015 hPa Hourly position log
18.04. 5:00 Z 58°33'33"N 9°33'39"E 256° 6.2kt 3798.2NM wind 18.1kt 44° sea state 3/10 clouds 1/8 visibility 8/10 baro 1016 hPa Norwegian courtesy flag up with snowcapped mountains in the horizon. Bergie on watch, Suski to bed
18.04. 5:52 Z 58°33'26"N 9°24'16"E 255° 7.1kt 3803.2NM wind 18.7kt 42° baro 1016 hPa Sails set: Main (2nd reef), Genoa 1 (20% furled)
18.04. 5:59 Z 58°33'26"N 9°22'48"E 267° 6.3kt 3803.9NM wind 14.9kt 15° baro 1016 hPa Hourly position log
18.04. 6:00 Z 58°33'26"N 9°22'36"E 271° 6.8kt 3804NM wind 17.4kt 46° baro 1016 hPa Hourly position log
18.04. 6:42 Z 58°32'47"N 9°13'50"E 262° 7kt 3808.7NM wind 14.5kt 15° baro 1016 hPa Sails set: Main (2nd reef), Genoa 1
18.04. 7:00 Z 58°32'20"N 9°9'53"E 267° 6.9kt 3810.8NM wind 12.2kt 21° baro 1016 hPa Hourly position log
18.04. 7:11 Z 58°32'13"N 9°7'31"E 268° 6.9kt 3812NM wind 11.4kt 13° baro 1016 hPa Stowed hydrogenerator
18.04. 7:58 Z 58°31'41"N 8°59'58"E 243° 3.9kt 3816.1NM wind 8.8kt 35° sea state 2/10 clouds 2/8 visibility 8/10 baro 1017 hPa Sails set: Genoa 1
18.04. 8:00 Z 58°31'38"N 8°59'44"E 248° 3.4kt 3816.2NM wind 7.6kt 50° baro 1017 hPa Hourly position log
18.04. 8:21 Z 58°31'7"N 8°57'29"E 256° 4.3kt 3817.5NM wind 9.3kt 71° baro 1017 hPa Autopilot deactivated
18.04. 8:30 Z 58°31'0"N 8°56'22"E 261° 3.6kt 3818.1NM wind 8.5kt 68° baro 1016 hPa Sails down, motoring
18.04. 8:44 Z 58°31'5"N 8°55'21"E 102° 0kt 3818.7NM wind 7kt 136° baro 1016 hPa Anchored
18.04. 8:49 Z 58°31'6"N 8°55'20"E 93° 0kt 3818.7NM wind 5.6kt 103° baro 1016 hPa Stopped main engine