Posted by Steve Dashew (via UUPlus) (July 2, 2009)
Weather and Ice Tactics Towards Svalbard
We have an interesting tactical situation between the forecast change in the wind pattern and what is likely to happen with the sea ice clustered around the southeast of Spitzsbergen.
The wind is presently from due north. It is forecast to go light to the west in the next twelve to eighteen hours, but strengthen to the east and clock to the northeast. On a sailboat you always want so head into the header, and then tack on the shift. In this case it means adjusting course to the ENE until the wind switches (if it does) and then changing tack to head right at the south end of the island.
The ice poses a problem with this tactic. The prolonged period of north winds will shift some of the ice south, and the current may carry it around the bottom of Spitzsbergen and up the west coast towards the north. It could block Hornesound, or at least make it necessary to give the bottom of the island a wide berth.
With Wind Horse we are taking a different approach. We are sagging to the west 20 degrees to head towards the projected area of lighter winds. This is more comfortable and efficient, if the wind does lighten. This course also keeps us more clear of any of the sea ice which has drifted south. We will approach the coast from the west, and if we run into ice, be able to skirt the edge and head further north to (hopefully) clear water.
At present we have 14 to 20 knots of breeze and five to eight foot (1.5 to 2.4m) waves. Not ideal, but it is what we are designed to deal with
