Minerva 25+ (tall story) - nov/09

It was blowing 25+ kts already, the day coming to its end and we were flying at 8 kts, all sails up in our 46’ aluminium cutter Pajé, trying to get to North Minerva´s reef pass while still there was light.

As going at that speed we would barely make it in time we decided to hoist our gennaker, despite the wind coming already from our beam. Hoisting it on that kind of conditions would count as a tall story itself but we managed it and soon we were going at 10+ kts, spray all over.

Few miles to the pass and some low lying clouds started bringing gusts and shifts, but we still kept the kite flying while our leeward freeboard lost all its freedom underwater.

Heavy rain now, sun below the horizon. Pass is few minutes away. Oops, now is dark, where was the pass? Depth meter starts moving fast, a lightening shows breakers right there at our lee, touch bottom, the strongest squall hits, we heel even more, all rigging shaking madly, get free from the reef and keep moving, already inside the lagoon, thinking the worst was over.

Then the engine does not start. Paula moves forward to get chain and anchor prepared. I put the autopilot on and prepare to bring the chute down. It does not. Grab a knife, put it between my teeth, climb the mast Polynesian style, cut the halyard at the mast top, slide down through the forestay. Gennaker falls down, brakes Pajé that rotates into the wind, Paula lets the anchor go. We made it!

Bringing the sail on board again was tough, but we were well rewarded with two nice lobsters that got caught in it. Nice candle light dinner, with lobsters, champagne and the wind howling at 35 kts outside!