Day 29: Tools of the trade
Rain squalls out here are like VW Polos on the roads back home.
There is one wherever you look. The nice thing about being on a kayak vs a yacht is I either keep on paddling and have some extra wind and fresh water on me, or I listen to the pitter-patter of the raindrops on the hull if I am inside. No need to take any action.
Sailing, however, gets a little tricky with squalls. Usually, the wind will increase, so you have responded quickly to change sails or reduce sail area to avoid damage, and when the squall is passed, put up more sail area again. Over and over again.
This morning, the squall that hid the rising Sun stayed above and around us for four hours before it finally rolled past. It was massive but had no more power than the average squall.
Some Q&A today.
How strong is Osiyeza, and what is she made of?
Osiyeza is light, stiff and strong. She is constructed with carbon fibre, and epoxy resin and has a 10mm foam core sandwiched in the middle. AerontechSA, Green Poxy and Sicomin kindly sponsored the bulk of the material.
10mm core with carbon fibre on either side.
The super-stiff construction significantly amplifies the noise inside.
It’s akin to being inside a drum. This is one of the reasons the inside is lined with silver foil-coated bubble wrap. It buffers the noise, it acts as cushioning when I get tossed about and is a fantastic insulator. It keeps the surface temperature down by about 10°C compared to the outside and eliminates all condensation on the inside.
What tools do you have?
I carry a reasonable tool kit. Spanners🛠 screwdrivers 🪛, small socket set, hacksaw, shifting spanner, box cutter, pliers and a hex key set.
The only tool I could add is a hand drill, but holes can be made by other means.
How much does the wind blow you?
As an ocean paddler, let me tell you, crossing an ocean is no walk in the park. It’s more like a wild rollercoaster ride with Mother Nature as the operator. So many factors can affect my progress, from wind direction that changes faster than a teenager’s mood to swell size and period that can give me seasickness just by looking at it. And don’t get me started on the wind chop and size; it’s like trying to paddle in a bowl of soup!
But the most challenging thing is trying to paddle against the wind. It’s like trying to swim upstream with a boulder tied to your feet. It’s impossible! That’s why all South Atlantic crossings by human power have been done from east to west, because who wants to paddle into a headwind? Not me!
The key to successful ocean paddling is adapting to the ever-changing conditions and making the best of the situation. It’s like playing a game of Tetris with the elements; you just have to keep moving and adjust to the shape of the blocks. Sometimes it’s a breeze, and other times it’s a hurricane. But one thing is for sure; it’s never boring!
Do you still sometimes feel seasick?
I have not felt or been seasick since the first night, and long it may last.
Just in case you thought I had forgotten about Nurse Honeydews Tinder profile picture, here it is.
I wonder if she keeps anything for “Ron” in her beard?
Co-ordinate: Latitude -20.317120° Longitude -7.721430°
Temp today 26°
Water temp 24°
