The wind slowly eased off during the evening and decided to take a vacation last night around 4 am, with the apparent wind a mere 8 knots and well aft, we fired up the starboard engine and furled away the headsail. Up until then, we'd been cruising comfortably since leaving Cape Verde with a reefed main and full headsail, keeping the apparent wind at a steady 120 degrees. This sweet spot lets us make good progress (around 160 nautical miles a day – yesterday, a very respectable 159!) without putting undue stress on the autopilot, the boat, or the crew.
The weather models predict light winds for the next couple of days. No problem – we'll keep chugging along, making easy miles with a combination of diesel and what little wind we can catch. Hopefully, the real wind will pick up again around the weekend.
Our course for now is westward, staying north of the rhumb line to Trinidad for another 500 nautical miles. This area has a higher chance of wind, which is exactly what we need. Then, we'll make a turn south and head directly for Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). By that point, I expect to have enough fuel on board to motor the entire remaining distance, even if we have to take a 500-nautical-mile detour due to unforeseen circumstances.
The weather models are currently showing a clear path for the next ten days. However, considering that local weather reports often struggle to predict even a simple rain shower 24 hours in advance, I take these forecasts with a grain of salt. It's always best to have a plan B, C, and even D in your back pocket!
Stay tuned for updates on our progress and, hopefully, some news of a strong and steady wind filling our sails soon. Its even harder to come up with blog material motoring!