Amazon delivery: birds on a wire

The last 24 hours have been interesting. After reaching Brazil’s mainland coast, we have been tracking the coast along the continental shelf (see picture below).

This middle part of the last leg of the maiden voyage has brought some new dynamics.

The wind shifted and is now forward of the beam (coming at us from the front of the boat). This required a new sail configuration, and we are finally using our upwind code sail for sailing upwind.

This is not the most comfortable point of sail, but you do not get to pick your wind (or waves). And we have a destination in mind. (Comfort is a factor of waves, not wind).

There is an incredible dynamic that happens sailing into the wind. I will avoid too much geekiness here, but the long and short is that you create your own wind. Yup. I just said that. To keep it simple. Similar to how a plane takes off, the big sail in the front creates a low-pressure zone that pulls the sizeable main sail forward. This means we are sailing faster than the wind at this point of sail. (The below shows us sailing at the same speed as the wind, which is insane). Some could call it magic. Some could call it physics—either way. Making your own wind is cool.

We are in the middle point of traversing the Amazon basin. Being in North America, we often hear about how the Amazon is so epically critical to the balance of the earth’s ecosystem (and, for some, their personal ecosystem with overnight package delivery). This we agree with. Also, for the record, the earth is round (sorry, kyrie), and global warming is real. Anyway. Back to the point. We are sailing across the mouth of the Amazon basin, and I wanted to try to put it into perspective. The sail to cover one end of only the part where the Amazon enters the ocean - so not the entire Amazon- is about 250nm, which is the same as driving from Washington DC past New York City and halfway to Boston or driving from Toronto to Montreal. The size is staggering, and it is clear why preserving this essential ecological zone is paramount.

The battle with the sea bats continues. One just about landed on my brother. They are brazen. But this morning, as I came out with my coffee, a different approach was being taken. One of making friends (see pic below). It is an unexpected strategy.

For a real-time, in-the-moment item, We are debating an odd glow we see off our boat’s starboard side. It is far enough away that we can not tell what it is, except that it is a large glowing platform. And there are no ships on the AIS. Maybe we will buzz it and see what’s up. It’s confusing. X-files?

Anyway.

Here is to making your own wind and new approaches.