GryphonSolo2 approaches Cape Hatteras

by Joe Harris on 5 May 2014 GrophonSolo2's Joe Harris reports on life aboard and the rough seas being faced in the approach to Cape Hatteras.

In the last 24 hours we have encountered a variety of wind, weather and sea conditions and as we now approach the notorious Cape Hatteras, the wind is again from precisely where we would like to go, making for some tough upwind sledding. As my co-skipper Pat O’Connor says, 'our waypoint indicator at the top of the mast is also our wind indicator'. Grok on that.

We just crossed the continental shelf, where the water goes from over 6,000 meters deep to about 130 meters in about four miles so the seas have been a bit nasty. Hopefully things will smooth out as we get closer to the Outer Banks.

Life on board is pretty simple - drive, trim and change sails, navigate, take care of the boat, eat and sleep. We ran out of ham and cheese so have moved on to the Mountain House dehydrated 'astronaut chow', which is actually pretty good. Pasta Primavera last night made me a happy boy with a full belly.

We have had many pods of dolphins come by the boat and cavort in the bow wake and leap out of the water like they are just loving life. No wonder they have permanent smiles on their face. Have I mentioned I would like to come back in my next life as a dolphin? Or George Clooney……

Just went on deck to check things and admire the crescent moon when a huge wave came over the bow and completely drenched me. I am reminded that sailing is a water sport. But it ain't quite bikini weather yet.

Here’s looking forward to that GryphonSolo2 website