Catamarans to not heel. Not very much. They have a hull on each side that prevents that. The space between, that is where the water rushes through.



Sometimes, a wave is high enough (only about 6 feet) to slap the underside of the hull between the side hulls or "amas." When that happens, it makes a big ol "boom" and shakes the boat. When you are sleeping, it's like having a little kicking person right beside you. Ka-slap. Ka-boom. All night. Complaining has about the same effect.



We got that last night.



On the plus side, we are going faster. On the minus, see above.



We have gybed over to get souther faster. More wind. Faster. More belly slaps!

No more belly slaps. Wind has dropped down again, as predicted. This means that it is quieter, but we have had to resort to two bouts of motoring. Which is nice because it makes more hot water for showers.



And those are nice after a warm cinnamon roll. Made from Scratch by Margi.



We are 800 miles along from Gran Canaria to St. Lucia with about 2000 miles to go. Right now, we have the spinny up and are making about 6.5 knots so... you do the math. No seriously, do the math, it's too much for me to figure out without a shower and a nice cinnamon roll to spur me along.

I was supposed to sail this weekend but due to a bunch of odd circumstances, we ended up going to the country instead. It made me realize that in my sheltered sailing life there just isn't the amount of terror that this blog readership demands. But I do have terror in other parts of my life. Behold, the tale of the Black Widow!

Notice to PETA: I'd like to say that no animals were harmed in the making of this video but unfortunately we killed the heck out of that Black Widow. Seriously, it's dead and in many tiny tiny pieces on the bottom of my 3 year old's shoe and his grandfather's channel locks.

By Rich - 
I love the water. Being in, around, on, under I just love it. Perhaps it is because I am a Cancer, but I have always been drawn to it.  Getting the chance to sail with a small crew on a fast, fun, sports car of a boat like elise was just indulgent. With some incredible and unusual winter weather the stage was set for a perfect day of sailing around the bay.

The BATS Improv-centric crew was Nat, Jonathan, and Rich. We met up at 12:30 just as the directions said "near the green cranes"!  This was easier to spot than I feared, but even though I spend a great deal of time between Marina and Chrissy Field - but I had never seen them in my recollection. It was quite obvious.

Catamarans to not heel. Not very much. They have a hull on each side that prevents that. The space between, that is where the water rushes through.



Sometimes, a wave is high enough (only about 6 feet) to slap the underside of the hull between the side hulls or "amas." When that happens, it makes a big ol "boom" and shakes the boat. When you are sleeping, it's like having a little kicking person right beside you. Ka-slap. Ka-boom. All night. Complaining has about the same effect.



We got that last night.



On the plus side, we are going faster. On the minus, see above.



We have gybed over to get souther faster. More wind. Faster. More belly slaps!

And fore and aft. We were absolutely surrounded by them. What kind? Umm? Atlantic? Speckled grey dolphins with bottley-noses. You tell me.



Turns out, "Dolphins" is one of the many words the dogs know, and they scurry to the side as fast as we primates do to see the spectacle, whimpering excitedly. I fear that they will jump in, creating the legend of the curly Portuguese Water Dogfin, but they are smart enough to stay on the boat (illustrating the difference between their line and the less popular line from the same area (Cao Dom es Tiburon Comida or Dumb Sharkbait Dog).

We raced in the midwinters a couple of weeks ago - midwinters are usually good training for light air sailing skills. I actually find sailing in light air just as tiring mentally as sailing in heavy air. perhaps a little less so physically...It is also an area where some of the best sailors come out and one where I need plenty of practice.