航海日誌2023.8.22 南長濱海域19公里長航

✐ Eddie ✐

在出航的前一晚，我感到非常焦慮，主要是因為年紀漸長後，比較容易抽筋。那晚我比平常喝了更多的水，盡可能補充水分。這方法確實有效，因為很慶幸地，我整趟旅程都沒有腿部或手部抽筋。自從十一年前搬到東部定居以來，我已經學會在這種氣候下保持充足水分是多麼重要。

我的Windy app預測風主要從東邊吹來，略帶一點北風。我原本以為從北往南或從南往北航行應該差不多。

阿翔建議從南往北航行，我也同意這個做法。

我們可以使用最新的天氣預報科技來做判斷，但大自然永遠是最終的決定者。

離開海灘時，我感覺我們會有一段順風順水的航程。我坐在船前操作帆，阿翔坐在後方掌舵。我偶爾把手伸進水裡感覺船有沒有在前進。由於我坐在船首，沒那麼容易回頭看。我覺得過了好一陣子後，發現我們其實還在烏石鼻附近，反而離長濱好像更遠了。風（非常弱）和海流都不利我們的方向。在遠處我們看到水面有皺紋，代表風其實是在外海，而不是靠近岸邊。我們輪流划槳，偶爾來一陣強風，就能讓船滑得更快，連ama也發出好聽的聲音在跟我們說話。

Emily提到我們好像在掙扎甚至想回頭，其實這念頭從來沒出現在我腦海裡。我完全沒有覺得辛苦或沮喪。當你出海時，你就要接受海洋給你的條件。我們很開心也很幸運有Emily準備的零食。

另一個大挑戰，是船長所說的「障礙航道」。漁網的區域比以前大了，而且當我們穿越的時候還在持續擴張。幸好船長技術高超，成功帶我們穿越這片水域。

我們差點翻船兩次，不算太驚險，但其中一次船長的槳掉進海裡，我非常幸運地在最後一刻把它撈了回來。

讓我驚喜的是，船長新做的舵架讓操控大舵槳的感覺明顯變好。接下來我們可以考慮設計一個偏置槳，這樣就不用手伸那麼遠了。

整體來說，這次航行讓我收穫很多，不僅增加了經驗，也讓我更有信心。希望大家都有類似的感受。

The night before the sail my anxiety was high, mainly because in my old age I am more prone to muscle cramps. I hydrated more than usual that night drinking as much liquid as possible. That worked, because thankfully, no leg or hand cramps occured. Since moving permanently to the east coast eleven years ago I've learned the importance of keeping well hydrated in this climate.

My Windy app forecasted a mostly easterly wind with a very slight northerly hint. My assumption was that sailing north to south or south to north would be about the same.

Ahxiang recommended sailing south to north and I concurred.

We can use the latest weather forecasting technology and make our own predictions but mother nature always has the final say on the weather.

When we left the beach I felt we were going to have a swift ride. I was manning the sail on the forward seat Ahxiang was aft steering. I would occasionally stick my hand in the water and feel the movement to see if we were moving forward. Since sitting near the bow I couldn't easily turn around and look back. After what seemed like a long time I noticed we were still very close to Wushibi but seemed further away from Changbin. The wind (very weak) and currents were against us. Out in the distance we could see the rippling water surface meaning the wind was way out there and not near the beach. We took turns paddling and getting occasional very brisk winds that moved us fast enough for the ama to start talking to us with some goods sounds.

In response to Emily about our struggling and wanting to turn back, that thought never entered my mind. I never felt any struggle or frustrations. When you go out to sea you have to make the best of what the sea gives you. We were happy and lucky to have your snacks.

Another big challenge was what the Skipper called the obstacle course. The fishing net area has increased in size. In fact it was increasing in size as the Skipper skillfully manoeuvred us through it.

We had two near capsizes, not that scary but on one, the Skipper's paddle went overboard and I was really lucky to grab it just in the nick of time.

I was pleasantly surprised by the handling improvement of the steering oar due to the new mount made by our group Skipper. Now we need to think about an offset oar so we don't have to reach out so much.

All in all it was a rewarding trip, helped me gain more experience and confidence. Hope everyone has the same results.