Tropic 4 Cancer: light winds and sloppy seas for 400 miles

Richard Mayon-White and his 21 ft (6.5m) yacht Haskapa  has seen some gains and pains in the past four days as light winds and sloppy seas have slowed his solo voyage that is following the latitude of the Tropic 4 Cancer across the Atlantic.

Planning his route from where he left La Gomera, in the Canaries, following repairs to Haskapa, Richard opted to slide along the coast before intending to move out south west into the Atlantic. The winds were forecast to be a bit lighter there, but favourable. Instead he encountered an overnight battle on Sunday night with a windless sloppy sea state. Richard wrote on his Facebook blog.  “I should have taken a bit of short term pain and headed south first, which would have probably saved me from the battle last night.” A bolt holding the boom onto the gooseneck became a victim of the slamming sea state when it sheared off, but Richard was able to replace it.

By Tuesday Haskapa managed to break out of the ‘hole of doom’, as Richard referred to it that trapped him for two days. “I cannot tell you how frustrating it’s been” he said. “I think we went further in the rowing boat on that first day out of La Gomera than I've managed this time.” He was referring to the Trans-Atlantic Rowing Race from La Gomera to Antigua that he completed with his wife several years ago.” 

Hascapa is now heading further west than originally planned, in an attempt to make up some ground after losing time to the La Gomera stop-over so Richard will hit the Tropic of Cancer later than previously planned.

Richard, an experienced ocean sailor and rower, is aiming to raise £40,000 to be split equally between two great causes, the Sobell House Hospice in Oxford and the national charity Sail 4 Cancer, which gives respite to cancer sufferers and their families through days out on the water and sailing holidays. He is already more than half way to achieving that sum.

Richard's progress can be tracked by logging onto his website at Tropic 4 Cancer  and clicking on "Live Tracking". This will update Richard's position every 4 hours.  Updates are also on Facebook and Twitter.

To donate also visit Tropic 4 Cancer  and click on "Donate".