It's amazing to think that we are 20 days into this journey and just a few hundred miles from our destination. Everyday comes and goes comes and goes with no real concept of time. The boat is beginning to feel like home, which is a good thing, as that is what it will be for the next few months. Land? I'm trying to remember what it looks like but the memories of Waikiki Beach in Honolulu are becoming more and more distant and faded. For the last 19 days all we've seen is horizon, a few boats, some
dolphins and what we thought was a whale. The view of the Fijian mountains and islands are only a few miles out of sight but once seen, will still be a day or so away. It will be great to eat fresh food, and take a long fresh water shower. The last few days we've been cruising at incredible speeds, and the miles we've been covering are increasing everyday. There is one downside to moving fast...you can't sleep worth a damn.
After being relocated to the aft cabin due to a leaky hatch in the forward v-berth what feels like a week ago, I found myself switching from the leeward side to the windward side. Little did I know, this small but very relevant fact would play a massive role in my sleeping habits. When the sea is calm and we're moving at a snails pace, the sleeping is comfortable and the sea lulls you into a deep sleep no matter which side of the boat you are on. The dreams are glorious the feeling of refreshment
in the morning is amazing! But, when we're screaming along at 7 or 8 knots and the seas are rolling in from all directions, sleeping becomes increasingly more difficult, if not impossible. The boat is rolling fiercely back and forth, and the momentum either slams you into the inner hull or throws you into the lee cloth. For those of you who aren't familiar with a lee cloth, it is a sheet that is tied up alongside your berth to keep you from slamming on the floor below. It does a great job. The
key to a sound sleep is to get yourself into a position where you are somehow wedged between the lee cloth and the hull, while maintaining a level of comfort suitable for sleeping. Which is impossible!!! If any of you have found this key and can explain it to me, I would be forever grateful. I think I tried every sleeping position under the sun (or moon) last night. Help...
***INTERRUPTION*** 3FT Barracuda caught...fish number 2....good eating tonight!!!
Bye for now, Matt
The narrower the bunk, the better. If the lee cloth is to leward, try jacking the mattress way up high on the outboard (windward) side by putting backpacks or duffle bags under the mattress. That forces you down into the lee cloth, so when the boat rolls to weather, you don't go far. Those wide mattresses are fine for in-port sleeping, and look great to a landsperson, but you've discovered just what false hopes they offer the sailor in a seaway. Narrow is better! Easier said than done, I know, but do try it.
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