Day5 - Suspect losing ground
Bonkers
Donald Macdonald
Wed 7 Jun 2023 17:33
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Position: 44.16.548N 18.28.414W
Wind been a little erratic in strength and direction.
Had the spinnaker up a few times and after a couple broaches due wind gusting
20+ knots took it down for the wind to drop to sensible levels again. During the
night did not put spinnaker up at all due to it being pitch black and if things
went wrong harder to see the cause. This morning jib poled out, probably should
have had spinnaker up but suspecting I will not stay lucky getting the spinnaker
down without a tear for much longer. The wind was also predicted to get above a
steady 20 knots by midday, has not materialised so suspect more miles lost to
those overnight. Still no AIS contacts so no idea of speeds others are
doing.
Sleep been harder to come by probably got 5 hours in
short bursts in last 24. The weather very gloomy in the rain and cabin starting
to get humid with wet weather gear dripping. Pin that goes onto eye of autopilot
actuator was wobbling, only noticed this whilst trying to identify where a creak
is coming from on the steering, Did helm for a while to identify the creak which
feels very stiff will need to be loosened in port unless we get a drifter out
here. Will try and get drawings from Salona of the rudder post fittings, washers
etc as think a not original part in place now. Back to the pin tightened with
3/4" and 7/8" socket and spanner, yes imperial bits on a metric boat. Heads sink
plug chain broke, bit of string the fix. Snags big and small we get them all
here. Also got a head torch not illuminating, that one maybe terminal as over
the years been dried and cleaned, not playing ball this time.
Late afternoon wind got up and a few uncomfortable hours
on deck. Wind was backing as expected with increase in strength the later
increasing rapidly. needed to put a gybe in so furled the poled out jib, the
only way to remove spinnaker guy. Brought the main almost to the centreline and
a 25 knot gust caught us and spun us up into the wind, as this far around,
although main let out went for a chicken gybe, jib poled out other side and we
were off, one surf of 17 knots and a broach where wind got behind jib, did think
we were not going to bear off again but did. Sat at the back for next 30 minutes
with Harold Jnr not very relaxed but fast. After a couple of close disasters jib
un-poled and out normally, goes slower but not a white knuckle
ride.
Dinner will be Chicken & veg Big Soup, cheese, pitta
bread, pineapple rings in juice. Snacks rich tea biscuits, jelly babies,
chocolate bar,
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