Sam Davies’ daily log - The Story of Waves
Good morning all!
It’s been another day in paradise for me on board Roxy. Today we’ve had a few squalls to give me some exercise, followed by blue sky, sunshine, a lifting breeze and great boat speed from Roxy! Top that off with a magnificent sunset and you couldn't ask for more...except to be 2000 miles further ahead!
To give you a better idea of what Roxy has to put up with in terms of the battering she takes from waves, I have summarised below my idea of the different distinct groups you can get. I have always classed waves into categories, and this Vendée voyage has been no exception:
The "Surprise" Wave
This is a group of waves, not necessarily similar in physical characteristics, which are guaranteed to pop up in annoying situations:
1. When you have been helming for a while, have dry decks and no waves, therefore you are in oilskin bottoms only. The wave hits the quarter and arrives from behind you, neatly filling up your oilskins and boots.
2. When you are sitting, nicely balanced, on the bucket...need I say more!
3. When you are to leeward, checking the trim, and the wave finds a way of defying gravity and smacking you fully in the face.
4. When the wave manages to break cunningly into the cockpit, find its way down the hatch and into the boat, cascading past you in a furious rush to soak anything that isn’t waterproof on its way through!
The "Brown Trouser" or "White Knuckle" Wave
These are the kind of waves that I saw a lot in the Southern Ocean, especially the Indian Ocean, and around Cape Horn. In these waves, it is advisable not to look behind you. Alternatively, as I worked out, the best thing is just not to go on deck and look at all. You instantly know when you are on one, as your boat starts accelerating, the bow points downhill, and you keep accelerating. The whole boat vibrates, creaks and groans and you have several ideas of how it is going to finish. Most of them are unpleasant: either sideways (the worst), or a face-plant, or a gigantic leap into thin air followed by a crash landing several metres down the back of the next wave.
The "Top of the World" Wave
This is the best wave ever! There were loads in the South Pacific. They lift you up so high that you can see around you as if on top of a hill. You then whizz off on an endless surf, the entire forward section of the boat out of the water. If you're on the foredeck it feels like you’re flying!
The "Boat Breaker" Wave
The worst kind of waves: when you smash off each one, the whole boat cracks and shudders. It is impossible to move around and impossible to sleep. Normally you have to slow down to negotiate these monsters.
The "Redecorating" Wave
These are like "Boat Breakers" but less nasty, so you don't have to slow down. This results in an unpleasant motion that renders any form of eating or drinking impossible. If you dare to try, you end up redecorating the inside of the boat and wearing most of your dinner.
The "Gift" Wave
These are waves with hidden extras: they come with a gift inside that they deposit on the deck for you. Gifts include: squid; fish; seaweed; krill; oil slick deposits...
The "Fire Hose" Wave
This is the kind of wave that never stops coming. It is extremely wet and gets through even the most waterproof of clothing. The cockpit cannot drain out fast enough and starts to resemble a swimming pool. These waves are useful to get a good hairwash when the sea is warm! But you must always be wary of their ability to sweep you clean off your feet if you're on the bow!
S x
At 1100 UK time, Sam Davies aboard Roxy was in 4th position, 2,066 miles from race leader Michel Desjoyeaux aboard Foncia
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