Position: 2000 LT, 55°17 N, 004°26 E
Date:Friday August 13, 2010
Date:Friday August 13, 2010
Boxhauling
As we approach the centre of a low pressure area the wind drops. This morning we already had moderate winds, which reduced to almost nothing during the evening.
First Mate Terry had high hopes for sufficient winds to tack, but during the manoeuvre this proved to be unrealistic. With our bow straight in the wind a minor swell kept us from tacking successfully. We had no other option then bracing in the opposite direction, bearing away and eventually wearing ship. In English this manoeuvre is called boxhauling, which is a corruption of the Dutch expression “Bakzeil Halen”. Did we precede the British in unsuccessful sailing manoeuvres? It seems rather unlikely. We are still first in our class, with no British Tall Ship’s in sight.
Richard Slootweg
Captain Clipper Stad Amsterdam
