40 05.56 N, 129.54.658 W @0:8:00 

We’re still running before the wind. I was up several times in the night worrying unnecessarily about chafe and how WW II was fairing. The motion is like driving down a roller coaster road in an old truck with no shock absorbers. It’s a little like floating. The sky is overcast but the temperature below is around 20 C. The seas are about a metre to a metre and a half with breaking tops. Last night at sunset, the sun filtered down through the clouds in radiating streaks. Very moody! I have been enjoying my great variety of food, especially the fresh fruit friends dropped off on the day I left – plums, peaches, apples, and blackberries. Trevor Hayward dropped off some rock cakes which I will be very upset to see go.

There are always jobs to do but nothing pressing at the moment. The cataloguing of stores is ongoing and I’m finding more things like my comb! I started a book yesterday called Turning the Tide: How a Small Band of Allied Sailors Defeated the U-boats and Won the Battle of the Atlantic by Ed Offley. It’s about the battle of the Atlantic in World War II and deals with the allied forces and how they dealt with the U-boats. The statistics of that war are staggering to me.

Life on board is evening out a little and some routines are being set. The nap seems to be very popular as is a beer with lunch. I am so exhilarated by the speed of WW II. I’m sure we will have another 200 mile day today. When I wake up in the morning and listen to my surroundings and look around I am still a little surprised to find myself here again. It is amazing to me. 

I don’t seem to spend as much time on navigation as I did last time. I guess I know where I’m going.

42 15.4 N, 128 08.4 W @09:50 PDT

Seas are about 1.5 – 2 m and we are slightly off the wind and the boat is moving in a cork screw motion. Our speed has been great, about 6-7 knots which translates to about 150 miles+ a day. 

I saw a sooty albatross this morning but other than that not much. I am spending most of my time down below as there is water on the deck most of the time. I am also either sitting or lying down – standing is not an option.

WW II is running hard with the wind. I have about 15- 20 knots of wind, we are sailing ‘wing-on-wing’ with two reefs in the main and the kevlar jib rolled into the first reef on the other side with the spinnaker pole holding it out. Average speed this evening is about 7 knots. Coming down some of these waves we hit 9 knots! Last 24 hrs is my first 200 mile day and by the looks of things not my last. I managed to get some small jobs done this morning. 

The cabin is filled with the smell of my stew which I am now going to eat.

44 09.4 N, 127 00.6 W @ 12:00 PDT

I’ve been very tired and napping a lot. It will take some time to fill up the sleep bank. I sleep well at night but have to get up every few hours with the weather pattern I’m in at the moment. I have to admit it’s a rude awakening and leaving that nice warm nest takes enormous will power. 

I’m making my first stew which is now brewing on the stove. We’re sailing at quite an angle so I’ve had to use my safety harness while working in the galley. Also doing some maintenance. I’ve had to mend the lee cloth already as the stitching has come apart.

It is important at this early stage to not over stress the rig or the boat. I have a long way to go. Our speed has been exciting and welcome. West Wind II creaks like an old wooden boat when the going is a little tough. A bit disconcerting at first but certainly not a problem. 

I have been able to download Grib files for my weather which is a treat. The electronics are so much better now than before. I found my camera which is a relief. I’ve been listening to some music and will start one of my many books soon. 

Thanks to everyone who sent messages on the blog. Wonderful to hear from you.

Day 3 48.19 N, 125.06 W @0:7:45 PDT

48.19 N, 125.06 W @0:7:45 PDT

Sailed in very light wind most of the day yesterday and into the evening. The wind completely disappeared around Sooke which meant I had to hand steer throughout the night. I made it around Tatoosh Island late last night and am now heading out the Straits. Currently doing 1.5 knots with 1.5 metre swells from all directions.

RVYC members Roger and Jocelyn Green spotted Glenn just east of Race Rocks where they were on a salmon fishing excursion and sent these photos. She writes “Glenn was alone except for a few large container ships and a few fishing boats. He looked happy and confident!”

I spoke to a few fishing boats on the VHF radio about my position and managed to catch a little sleep between midnight and 6 a.m. once the I got the sails balanced. It was a beautiful night, the Milky Way spectacular in the night sky.

This morning I saw a few whales and porpoises and lots of sea birds. My first cooked meal on board is a bowl of hot porridge and a pot of tea.

18:20 PDT 48 16. 94 N 123 34. 8 W

  48 16. 94 N  123 34. 8 W @18:20 PDT

After a fantastic send off at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club where dozens of friends and family and well wishers showed up to cheer him on, Glenn let go the lines and set sail at 13:00 PST. 

Tony Gooch, who completed a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation east about in 2003, is officiating Glenn’s attempt. Tony set the official start time at 15:37 PDT ( 23:37 UTC) September 2, 2013. Tony writes “West Wind II crossed the start line, a line drawn almost due south from the prominent post on the north side of Trial Island and the Lighthouse on Trial Island.”

Waving goodbye from West Wind II. Photo: Sandy Beaman

He sailed out of Cadboro Bay in a light breeze and rounded Trial Island where he caught 10 – 15 knots of wind. He was doing a steady 7 knots all the way out to Albert Head and came through Race Passage at 18:00 doing 9 knots.

Heading out the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Photo: Sandy Beaman

On a satellite phone from the cockpit, Glenn reports a beautiful sunny evening, a steady 10 – 15 knot breeze, the wind generator humming overhead, and very little traffic in the Straits of Juan de Fuca.

He was taking it easy after a more than hectic schedule over the past weeks and months, and had just finished a bowl of his Mom’s macaroni and cheese. He said he was wearing his safety harness and sunglasses, two things he promised to do.

Thanks to everyone who came by to give him a royal send off and to those who sent emails and left messages on the blog. All in all, a fantastic start. 

Read the CBC News World, Huffington Post story. Watch the Global news clip.
To listen to the CBC interview, click on the play button below.