Adak Winds

Day 28 of Sailing Alaska

Pos 52 48N. 172 30We departed Adak harbor at 06:15 in good conditions with full sails. We anticipated stronger wind once out from the protection of the island so we’re prepared for a brisk 400 mile sail to Unalaska.
Our noon to noon run was 133 nm in 20 knots with steep waves in short periods. As the wind increased we dipped our cap rails into the water, forcing us to slow down and reef our the sails. We surged down some of waves with a skidding effect that sent my stomach lunging upwards. Bring on the seasick tablets.

The wind has abated some leaving us with northwest sloppy seas from the Bering sea and light wind from the Southwest. Bad combination for sailing downwind or even quartering off the beam. So we’re motorsailing til the wind picks up and the sea conditions stabilize. We have 230 miles to go.

We bought Adak sweatshirts with the words “Adak, Alaska Birth place of the Winds” they aren’t kidding.
The picture was taken when we arrived in Adak. The south wind was gusting over 50 knots around Mt. Moffet, elevation only 2800 feet but the affect of the williwaws were very apparent. Notice the boomerang shaped cloud. We sailed under that with reefed sails and heeled so far over we that we had to keep our hands on the sheets/ropes to release the wind from the sails to right Konami. The clearing in the center of the boomerang was windless leaving us bobbing on the choppy sea. It was a kickass ride!

Wind has picked up, I can hear the waves rushing under us now. Time to pay attention to the them, surfing and skidding isn’t good for our appetites.