Armon took over the watch and was able to sail until 0330. I am not sure why we were all up at that time - so he did not have to worry about disturbing anyone’s sleep when he started the motor. It was good timing as the Xantrak monitor was flashing low. Of course Armon was feeling bad that the Captain’s sleep had been interrupted. That is the thing about David - he would never complain or be upset with you if you needed his help in anyway - no matter what time of day. He is also so in tuned with the boat that anything you do on your own that changes the movement or sound of the boat will wake him up anyway.
We had to do the little tap to the coil housing on the starter solenoid again. It has been so long since Arturo and I did that repair - we honestly thought that we had solved the problem. But the motor starts okay. And we discovered that it does not have to be tapped just before you turn it over. You can tap it any time after you have shut it down. It must have something to do with the location of the coil on the solenoid. So we now try to do this sometime during the day as a precautionary measure. that way, especially at night, if we have to start the motor it will start and we do not have to disturb anyone - raising the cover off the engine, tapping the solenoid, replacing the cover …
So motor is running and the genoa has been furled in. I made Armon a cup of coffee, which was greatly appreciated and then David and I went back to bed.
0600: David wanted to be woken up so he could sign on to the net. We heard from Batu - they had to return to Barra for Engine repairs. Dave gave him the names of the two mechanics via a common friend of ours - Mike on St. Leger. The repairs were made and they are back on the water again at 111* W. Glad it worked out and we were able to help.
That is one of the best parts about the net and the friendships that one makes living this lifestyle. Everyone is always willing to help you out anyway they can.
Position: 1* 30’ S 127* 43’ W
Seas are roll - so what’s new! - from the east
Winds are 15 knots from the East at 4
feet
70 % cloud cover
Barometric Pressure is 1007 and steady
I made coffee for David and I. Then he began to do the head bob so I suggested that he go back to bed. Plus the bimini had been rolled back - in need of repair - and he was getting fried. I got David to pass me up my nifty sewing kit and proceeded to do some more hand sewing. I keep thinking of our friend Jeffe - he is finishing up the last month or so of a circumnavigational trip solo - with no assistance from people or use of his motor. He has had to put in more than 45 patches on his Genoa - this is sturdy sail cloth with a waxed thread. Killer on the hands. I cannot imagine it as my hands are already killing me and I am only working with sunbrella. My hats off to him! Not only doing it by hand by doing a zigzag stitch to boot.
1030: The seas are picking up with some swells reaching 10 feet! Not much wind, however, and there is only a 2 foot chop. Speed is 5 knots with the motor.
I will have to think about what to make for dinner under these conditions. Maybe some more coconut curry chicken with potatoes instead of rice. At least it can all be done in the pressure cooker and secured on the stove.
1200: Noon Position is 1* 50’ S and 127* 50’W
Seas are 8 meters from SE
Winds are 6-8 knots from the East
30% cloud cover with fluffy white clouds at all quadrants.
Course is 180
Distance Travelled in 24 Hours: 118 nm
Total Distance Travelled to Date: 1992
The splice at the end of the topping lift on the boom is starting to chafe quite badly. The rest of the line still looks good so David cut off the spice, replaced it with a bowline knot and then resecured it.
This will also move the chafe point at the top of the masthead thereby giving us some more life on that line. Most of the lines on a boat are double-braided dacron and it is quite expensive so you want to make it last as long as possible. But a frayed line can be a hazard at the most un-opportune time so we are always on the lookout for signs of chafing.
1230: Motor is off. We have only run the motor for 72 hours so far - and two of those days were in the doldrums. We are very pleased with that. Now if only the seas would settle down.
1800 Position: 2* 18’ on Neptune Drive, Blusea and 128* 00 W
Speed is 5 knots with the Winds from SE at 8-10
Seas are 6-8 feet with a 2-3 foot chops
Barometric Pressure is steady at 1006
1930: Indian Curry for dinner. We had just finished eating and another squall hit us. David dons his Helly Hansen rain gear and his Paddington Bear Hat.
I move inside. The squalls continued through the night. The genoa was furled in to one third and we were still reaching speeds of 8 knots. Figured the winds made it to 30 knots.
Midnight and time for a change in watch!
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