Location 54° 21S, 64° 18W
Saturday 12.08.2007

On December 8th, the Schooner Maggie B was at 54° 21S, 064° 18W. We were headed north at 8 knots! Clouds behind us, clear ahead. The forecast from Commanders and the GRIB files make things look pretty good. Mostly 15-25 knot westerlies for the next five days.

We have come 244 NM from Puerto Williams and have 1212 NM to go to Buenos Aires. At this speed, we should make Buenos Aires on December 15th, which assumes an extra day to go upriver.

Last night was quite blowy in Puerto Hoppner. We were very, very glad not to be at sea. We had our anchor out with 120 feet of chain in 20 feet of water, a line from our bow to shore and two lines from our stern to each shore. Thanks goodness, because the night was full of williwaw/rachas. Gusts of 40 knots or more would hit from all directions, including vertically. One line to shore would be as tight as to sing, then instants later it would be completely slack and the line on the other side would tighten up. We have a rough door made of a 2 by 4 as a cross piece and strips of heavy plastic hanging down to help keep the warmth in. A gust pulled it out from being jammed into the top of the hatch and flew it ashore.

We are now sailing with three reefs in the main and one in the fore. I would have preferred two reefs in the main, but our tear with Hannah’s patch is near the second reef cringle, and I don’t want to stress it. Hannah’s patch is in blue material and makes it look as if we have a #1 on the white sail. Why not?

It is so great to be back in “our” ocean again after a year of the Indian and the Pacific! No more barriers between us and home, though surely there will be more adventures in this last 7600 NM.

All is well.