“Well, sometimes, we move as well. It’s a question of setting sail for the next corner of paradise, preferably located downwind. Our fantastic two-hulled craft are often equipped with fractional rigs. This implies a fairly large mainsail with a more modest foresail. This setup presents a number of advantages when close to the wind, but not so effective with the wind behind. We left the exquisite charms of Marie-Galante, bound for Antigua’s English Harbour. As soon as we set a course for Pointe des Chateaux off the eastern end of Guadeloupe, our marvelous “Pleejonk” sail came into play. This is the second model which has been developed, this one without a furler, as opposed to the “Speejonk” which is handled on a Facnor furler. Useable up to 110°, it can carry the wind from a little aft of the beam, right up to dead downwind. Once it’s set, Catafjord immediately picks up to over 9 knots. For about the last ten years we have been sailing in the tropics, so we are accustomed to reading the sky: a dark and menacing squall was bound in our direction, pushing a freshwater shower ahead of it. I would be well-advised not to take any chances. Time to reduce sail. Despite the 130m² pushing us along at the same speed as our old 170m² spi used to, (thanks to the Dyneema guy ropes), it’s a pleasure to do. I ease the halyard so the sail doesn’t quite reach the water, before using the electric winch, and in one minute, the job is done! As it turns out, I did the right thing, as there’s now a good 30 knots of wind propelling us to 13 knots. With the squall passed, we are quickly back down to 7.5 knots, but in under two minutes, this cathedral-like sail is hoisted again and we’re back up to nine knots. A few turns of the winch handle and the sail is set. I tidy the chart table and work out our average for the last few hours: 9.7 knots. Not bad, I reckon. “Pleejonk”: downwind made easy…”
Domi and Malou aboard Catafjord
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