More sailing, at last! This one is for those maybe interested in course strategy.
After a very early start from Karlskrona, in bright sunshine and a gentle breeze, we motored out into the open sea with goal of Simrishamn, down on the southeast corner of Sweden, before the coastline turns west. The forecasts were pretty correct, for wind speeds and direction, and we could sail.
The first approx third of the track shows a variable course, sailing close-hauled on starboard tack trying to follow the variable very light north westerly wind’s direction. Then a more continuous portion, where the wind steadied and increased and the autopilot could take over. Note the curve to port as the wind gradually backed. Then a decision to tack over to close-hauled on port tack and track more in the right direction. The wind direction, true to the forecasts, continued to gradually back further, hence the curved track of the last approx third, still on port tack close-hauled. The last bit was with engine, as it was getting a bit late. With always-reliable hindsight, I should have headed more south for the first half and would probably have shortened time and distance. (One of those new-fangled apps for prediction of optimum course-to-steer would surely do that).
Actually we ended up in Brantevik, (55 30.8N 014 20.0E), a little further south from Simrishamn.
Never too late to learn!
Josin's 2025 cruise 