Mile builder day 2

Hessel van der Maten

We left Stellendam in much calmer conditions than the previous day and headed south along the coast towards Zeeland. The wind was light to moderate, generally around Beaufort 2–3, and the sea was considerably more comfortable, giving us a very different sailing day. With the boat settled and everyone feeling better, much of the day became a practical lesson in sail trim. We experimented with small adjustments to the sails and saw how relatively minor changes in shape, tension and angle could produce extra speed without making the boat less comfortable. It was a useful introduction to the idea that good sail trim is not simply about making the boat go as fast as possible, but about finding an efficient and balanced configuration for the wind, sea and crew. We continued south and entered the Oosterschelde through the Roompotsluis at the Oosterscheldekering. Passing the Delta Works from the water was an impressive part of the passage. From there it was only a short distance to Sophiahaven, where we berthed at Roompot Marina in Kamperland. After the demanding first day, this was a much more relaxed passage and an opportunity to concentrate on the finer points of sailing: keeping the boat balanced, watching the effect of each trim adjustment and learning how a little extra attention can translate into both speed and comfort.