Tuesday Day 4 – The Storm

Its Graeme’s birthday and unfortunately the perfect weather is over.  The wind is from the north west at 20-25 knots which means dropping the kite and beating into the wind. We’re all on the rail in wet weather gear and thermals, we’re completely soaked and the bruises are starting. Its hard-going trying to move around the cabin and a few of us can't go below without feeling or being sick.

Looking ominous

Build up before the storm

No dinner tonight as its way too rough. Those who are not queasy are treated to a hasty vegemite sandwich. 

At about 10pm, north of Shark Bay, in the pitch black night, the front from the south met the low from the north and BOOM.  The seas erupt into huge mountainous waves, the wind screeches in at 40+ knots and the torrential rain and lightning is everywhere.  All around us is black and ominous cloud – the usual faint horizon gone.  Race mode turns into survival mode.  Each time we tack means transferring the five 20 litre containers into the cockpit and hauling the dinghy over the coach roof – no mean feat in these conditions.  We put a second reef in the main and down-size the headsail.  This lasts until the sun comes up and the wind starts to abate to 25-30 knots.  The seas are still 4-6m and the sky dark grey.  

Please let this be over soon.

The morning after the storm

Breeze: 25-40+ knots                                                                                            

Spews: John, Robbie, Kevin, Graeme