Sailors Run’s Worst Day

Readers — On December 11, Jeff Hartjoy set off from Callao, Peru, on a singlehanded nonstop trip around Cape Horn aboard his Baba 40 Sailors Run. He rounded Cape Horn on January 9 and is bound for Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Day 37 most likely will be remembered as the worst day of the passage. I was hove-to under double reefed mizzen in sustained 50 knots of wind out of the northwest. The mizzen held the bow of the boat at about 45-50º to the wind and waves, but after about four hours, the waves were running in excess of 20 feet. They’d knock the bow off, allowing several minutes to pass before Sailors Run would round back up. During one of those occasions, we were slammed by a second large breaking wave that broke the windvane support strut. I secured all the loose parts and stowed the servo rudder out of the way. Belowdecks things were chaotic — the waves breaking onto the deck were forcing water through the portlights.

I would have set the sea anchor, even though it was dark, but these winds were associated with a front  so I knew they would subside quickly. Eight hours after they’d started, the winds finally abated. I raised the staysail and we were back underway — on course, no less.

Two days later and I know it’s really starting to warm up because all my dirty laundry is starting to reek. The wind’s shifted to on the nose but I know I’m getting close to my destination because I only have four beers left!