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Learning The Ropes

Another day aboard Namarie, and we're slowly settling into the rhythm of life at sea. Watches are becoming routine, sleep comes in snatches, and we're gradually getting to grips with the yacht's systems. It's a big difference from admiring her on the dock – everything feels different when you're actually using it out here.

We've been making good progress, navigating around that windy zone we mentioned yesterday. This afternoon, we'll be gybing and finally pointing Namarie south towards the Canary Islands. It'll be a long journey, but the promise of warmer weather keeps us motivated.

The Canaries will be a welcome pitstop to prepare for the next big leg – the Atlantic crossing westward. While we're there, we also have a few minor projects on the agenda. One of them involves the water tanks.

Currently, our two 450-liter tanks are connected, essentially forming one large tank. While convenient, it feels a little risky. A loose hose clamp or a split hose could drain all our precious water in no time. We do have a water maker on board, but breakdowns tend to come in clusters, so to speak, and snow ball. For peace of mind, I'm planning to install a ball valve between the tanks, allowing us to isolate them.

Not much else to report today. Maybe future entries will involve less moaning about writer's block and more exciting tales from the high seas! Actually, on second thought, let's hope for the unexciting kind. As any sailor knows, the best sailing is often the boring kind – the kind where everything goes according to plan. No surprises, no scrambling to fix broken gear, just the steady rhythm of the boat and the endless expanse of the ocean. Here's to many uneventful miles ahead.

This may not be the best photo. It was taken at midnight from the deck of a moving boat - but there is clearly a glow of daylight! 

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Location: La Rochelle, France

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