The Night of November 27-28, 2023
Squalls and Calms
Last night brought some exciting moments. During our night watch, large, dark storm clouds suddenly appeared on the horizon. We immediately thought of a squall, a short but intense wind and rainstorm at sea that can be quite dangerous due to its strong winds. The weather changes were clearly visible both visually and on the radar.
However, as often happens on the water (and in the mountains), things can change quickly. The storm clouds dissipated without reaching us.
The rest of the night was uneventful. The wind held steady, driving us forward at a good speed of about 7 knots. But around 4 AM, the wind abruptly died down. Our speed dropped to just 3 knots, and our Wingaker was left flapping in the breeze.
For safety, I waited about 10 minutes to see if the wind lull was temporary. Unfortunately, the wind speed remained low. So, I woke Peter, our captain, to discuss our best course of action.
It’s never an easy decision to take in a sail in the darkness at 4 AM, but we had no choice. Just as Nicolas was woken up and we all got ready with headsets and safety vests, the wind suddenly picked up again. Shortly after, we were back at a speed of 7 knots. False alarm.
What Are Squalls and How Do Sailors Handle Them?
Squalls are short-term, localized thunderstorms that can occur on the Atlantic. What makes them particularly challenging is their unpredictability. Unlike prevailing winds, squalls can come from completely different directions, catching sailors off guard. They can bring strong winds, heavy rain, and sometimes even lightning and thunder. A general rule is that the strength of the wind is related to the height of the clouds—the higher the clouds, the stronger the wind.
As sailors, we try to avoid these weather fronts whenever possible. Therefore, early detection of squalls is crucial, as they can appear quickly and unexpectedly. Our weather radar system helps with this.
It’s important to reef or take down the sails in time to reduce the wind load. Since we are currently mainly using our downwind sail, this means taking down the Wingaker. It’s also important that the entire crew is prepared, woken up at night if necessary, and wearing their safety gear.
While squalls can be challenging, they also have positive aspects. They often bring fresh water, which is very valuable on a sailboat. Suddenly, you can have a boat shower that washes off all the accumulated salt crystals, or you can plan a refreshing deck shower for yourself.
This reminds me of experiences with my children in our garden. During particularly heavy rainstorms—and Hamburg is known for them—we always enjoyed playing outside in the garden. When Anna and Nicolas were younger, they found it especially exciting to get soaked in the rain. It was like a wild shower under the open sky. As a reward, there was always a hot bath afterward to warm up.
On a boat, a shower during a squall is also possible and can be a welcome change. However, you have to do without the warming bathtub afterward. But be careful: only with big kids and safety gear!
The best strategy is to navigate around squalls. This requires skill and experience, as wind direction and strength can vary greatly in squall areas. Early detection and proper preparation are key to safely handling squalls.
Fishing Adventures and Other Challenges: Another Day on Our Sailing Journey
Sailing-wise, the day was similar to the previous ones. There were few changes to the sails. Our Wingaker remained in use. We achieved a good speed of about 7 knots with long, rhythmic Atlantic waves. There were no squalls in sight, just plenty of sunshine and a temperature of 28 degrees.
In the afternoon, things got exciting. A fish bit again. “A fish, a fish!” echoed around the boat, and everyone rushed to Nicolas at the sugar scoop (swim platform). He quickly reeled in the line. But just one meter before the fish reached the deck, it managed to get away. It was a beautiful Wahoo.
Shortly after, there was another bite. Nicolas was sure it was a large tuna pulling on the line. He fought bravely to reel it in, but suddenly the line went slack. The fish was gone, and once again, he was left empty-handed. It was disappointing for him to lose two fish in one day. We remain hopeful for more successful catches.
Onboard provisioning posed a challenge today. Some of our tomato supplies became overripe and needed to be used. Fortunately, I had brought two different types of tomatoes that ripen at different times. Not all supplies were wasted. For lunch, I made Indian tomato-zucchini vegetable with coriander, a family classic since my travels to India. It always tastes delicious.
Later, I discovered condensation in one of our fruit nets. On closer inspection, it turned out that the tops of the beets had rotted, causing the moisture. The beets themselves were still fresh and crisp. So, I removed the tops and rewrapped the beets in plastic wrap.
The evening treated us to another breathtaking sunset. The view never gets old. Afterward, we had a game night with Phase 10 and Skip-Bo. Anna seems to either have strategic talent or incredible luck, as she won most of the rounds again.
Later in the evening, we all went to the upper deck to observe the moon and stars, wearing our safety vests and secured to the lifeline. The rhythmic movements of the Atlantic waves were particularly strong up there. Equipped with an app, we identified various constellations and planets in the sky. It was truly impressive.
Culinary Delights Day 9:
- Lunch: Tomato-zucchini vegetable with coriander and rice, crispy spelt bread with hummus
- Dinner: Poké bowl with various vegetables and toppings
When on deck, for example changing sails whether during the day or at night, did you use lines clipped on from a safety harness in addition to wearing life vests? As part of your preparation before starting the ARC, did you do wo(man) overboard practical drills, with each of you going overboard and alternating who is on the helm and who is on deck?