Have We Found the Doldrums?

08/01/02

    Yesterday was a little more comfortable, as it was overcast some of the day, and the wind swung back to northwest, so we found ourselves running again with a gentle breeze blowing into the companionway.  This pleasant run lasted most of the night.  It looks like we were once again in the trades and had only encountered a lull before.  When I got up for my 0800 watch, the wind had pretty much died again, and we were hobbling along at 2.5 knots.  When Eric got up, he decided to roll in the jib and start the engine, as it now appears we are really in the doldrums.  We are now at 9 degrees 33’ N 26 degrees 34’ W, 833 miles from our waypoint at Fernando de Noronha.  Once we get through the doldrums we should pick up the southeast trade winds, which should send us on a nice reach.  We have to be careful not to get too far north, as the equatorial current can make it impossible to work our way south as we approach the island.  We also have to be careful of the Peter and Paul rocks, which can be found in the middle of the ocean en route to Fernando.