Fri 4th
Time, normally it’s quite a straight forward thing, but here on Raya, six hundred miles from St Lucia, we are grappling with Atlantic time, which has four different times at once.
Firstly there is boat time, currently GMT -2 .This is the time we use for the the day to day running of the boat, particularly the time we use for the watch system. As we travel west we have to add an hour about every four days to keep sunset and sunrise in sync with life onboard.
Then there is ARC control time which is set at GMT, this is the time all their updates relate to and is essential as we work out weather forecasts and the position of other boats.
Next is St Lucia time, GMT -4 which as we draw closer becomes more important as we try to calculate our arrival time.
Finally there is the random times all our electronics are keeping, my iPad for instance can’t find what time it is mid Atlantic and I can’t find a city that is GMT -2 to set it to, so it is stuck on GMT -1. When I wake bleary eyed and confused for my watch grappling with what the actual time is, can be a bit of a challenge.
To add to the confusion not one of us knows what day of the week it is and if it hadn’t been for Matts birthday on the 2nd, giving us some point of reference, the date would be a mystery too. Talk of Christmas from back home seems incomprehensible, as does the fact that in a few days we will be in the Caribbean without going anywhere near Gatwick. We are all however very clear about how many days we have left at sea, at our current
pace that will be 3-4 days depending on our old friend the wind.
We are sailing fast, dead downwind, flat out with our twizzler rig (two genoas one set either side of the boat) but its touch and go if it is fast enough, the opposition is closing in. We can’t actually go any faster so we are just trying to enjoy the ride which includes 12kt surfs down 12ft high Atlantic rollers.
Each day is different, the sea is rougher or calmer the sky cloudy or clear, we spot a way off tanker or the dolphins come to play but they are tending to meld into one. Tuesday however stands out amongst the crowd. it started badly with us ripping the cruising chute. We had flown it carefully all night with winds rarely going above 12kts, as the sun rose Hartmut and I were on watch when suddenly a gust of 50 kts appeared from seemingly nowhere shredding our beautiful blue sail. This sail is not essential but Rick was beginning to really enjoy mastering it and we may miss it in the light winds we expect to encounter as we approach St Lucia.
That afternoon our mood was lifted, Eric caught a fish, a magnificent three foot dorado, that he filleted and cooked for supper, delicious and probably the freshest fish we have ever eaten. As he also is in charge of bread making he is rapidly gaining a certain status however his attempts at walking on water still need some refinement.
Today is much like any other we trim the sails trying to squeeze every last bit of speed from Raya, we cook, eat, sleep, read and clean, we stare out into the never ending blue, fill in the log book and increasingly pour over the position reports.
We are now all ready to get there and setting all our clocks and especially our body-clocks back to just one time, Caribbean time.
Raya 
Yes your doing well against Pixel. You have gone from holding 30 up to 50NM now. 2nd place is NOT an option, come on Raya get the iced beer ready. Love this blog especially about the different time zones we find intriguing. So gogogo Raya your nearly in St Lucia. Congratulations.
Len & Diane
LikeLiked by 2 people
Was showing your current position to your mum on the laptop this afternoon, Roz: she sends a cheer for the Racing Team Raya Crew as do Penny and I: very impressive stuff. Don’t know if you realise how straight your (presumably constantly downwind) line has been: makes the paths of all the other boats in C class look like crinkle-cut chips. Go fast, go safe. See you in Panama! Love S&P
LikeLike
Roz – disappointed you have not used the timezones to your advantage – you can use that as an excuse for multiple sundowners (one for each timezone) or maybe you don’t need an excuse ! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re checking the Leaderboard on a regular basis and cheering you on – but are full of admiration for what you have, and will, achieve. A great effort; and a great blog …and keep the sails filled and see if you can get over the line in first place!!!
Dave & Jo x
LikeLike
Love the blogs – better than any TV box set! So sorry not to have been in touch or even wished you happy birthday but I have been following you! What an amazing achievement. Hope the wind is kind for the final leg! Fiona x
LikeLiked by 1 person
This blog is just amazing and I love receiving your posts. It’s fab that you are in the lead in your class….talk about living the dream….we couldn’t do anything like this. Mike felt sick when we visited kitty Walker and family for a sundowner whilst they were tied up in Kefalonia ! Xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Rick I have been reading a book on hallucinations and apparently they are quite common in mariners. Have you seen any mermaids? If the dolphins and super tankers are beginning to merge into one it is time to find some land. Well done especially keeping up the bread making onboard. Look forward to hearing all about it. Phil and Fiona.
LikeLike
Nearly there so proud of you. According to my figures about 69 miles to go. Xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Rick & Roz
Fantastic, we are so please for you. What an effort. To have sailed the Atlantic is awesome, to finish 1st in your Class is epic. Again congratulations to team Raya. Just wish we could be there to see you coming over the horizon.
Fond regards
Len & Diane xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congratulations Team Raya finishing first
Relax & enjoy your success.
Len & Diane xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! congratulations to you all what an amazing achievement! I’ve been following your exciting transatlantic journey on the app as I do my mundane commute to and from work! Hope you’ll all enjoy a celebratory beer/rum punch or two. Roz I love reading your blog. Have a very happy Xmas in the Caribbean love from Ali, Mark and girls xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done Team Raya, Rick, serious fish catching envy
LikeLike
Hi Dick, congratulations on winning the stage. Any chance there was a one pound bet involved?
Maybe you could look up the elusive Patson Anius while you’re in St Lucia.
Merry Christmas
John and Michelle Mckie
LikeLike
Thanks John, sorry for late reply only just got decent internet. Happy New Year, hope to get beer in sometime maybe next Christmas
LikeLike
I’ve been out of touch but it’s great to begin to refamiliarise myself with your blog – seems so long ago now that we had lunch with you in Southampton on board Raya – what an amazing achievement to manage to get across the Atlantic, let alone be the leaders in your Class!! Gold Star. Can’t wait to tell Richard. XX
LikeLiked by 1 person