Jan. 8, 2012
06.49 N, 53.34 W, Course W, Speed 3, Wind 10 knots

Our landfall to Guyana has been based upon the easterly trade winds and the Equatorial current which flows “up to 4 knots” northwest up the northeast coast of south America. We often sail comfortably along at four knots and figured if we didn’t want this powerful current to sweep us up the coast we would have to sail way east and loop in. That is what we have done. I think one reason this part of South America is so unexplored by other sailors is that it is very difficult to sail from the Caribbean against the Equatorial current.

We have planned our landfall on Georgetown for midday on Monday. We have to catch the tide while it is rising so we can ride up the river before it starts to go out. It is the same way with the Hudson river. We try to never sail against the current of the tide because we don’t make much headway even if we use the motor.

The tricky thing about entering the Demerara river is that the wind and waves blow downwind unobstructed into the mouth of the river. Landfalls are easier when there are dominant landmarks and the entrance is protected from the wind and waves. A few days ago we were in big waves and gale like winds. The possibility of entering under those conditions was a little daunting. Now as we cross over the continental shelf the waves are much smaller and the water is cloudy green. On top of that the wind is dying down and we are beginning to wish for more wind so that we can catch any tide in on Monday.

In the photo, Andy shoots the fore gaff from the top of the foremast  looking astern. This is the first time on the whole voyage that we sent a man aloft. We feel very lucky about that because we re-rigged the schooner just before leaving and had to re-use all our old blocks and ropes.