----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 5:59
PM
Subject: Blog 3rd December
Dear blog
Sorry a bit later than usual for my daily blog
but I've been really busy hand steering (yes we are giving the autopilot a
rest) with the large 165sqm 1800 sq ft gennaker up which we've had since 0930
hrs this morning. Very hard work 'cos this boat is a bugger to handle with her
small rudders and lack of directional stability - but fun! Only lost it in a
semi-broach twice and we recovered without furling the sail. This has been the
first day that we've had since we left Las Palmas 11 days ago when the wind
has blown at <15 knots making the flying of the gennaker feasible. Anyway
picture through the salt splashed window of the saloon captures some of the
fun - trade winds, scudding clouds, 30C air temperature and 27C water
temp. Can't wait to dive in but it's a bit difficult doing this mid
Atlantic at 7.5 kts!!
The other news of the day is that we have <
1000 miles to go. Should be in St Lucia Thursday 10th December - if before 6pm
that's <18 days (BWI time being 5 hrs behind GMT). My original target was
17.5 days ie 6am on the 10th -and we might just do that. OK the winds have
been great but then that is what this is all about! Theoretically even we
might just arrive Wednesday night 9th Dec if our VMG and tacking work out but
it would be more fun to arrive in daylight
Duogen and watermaker still working fantastically
well - so there's plenty of showers and we only have to run the engine 2 hrs
pd. The Duogen actually keeps the boat running in terms of fridge, autopilot
and instruments, producing about 8amps at 7knots ie 200AH pd - that 40% of our
battery capacity. But the electric loos, lighting at night, shower and fresh
water pumps etc take their toll of the batteries by 4,30pm when we turn on the
engine. Fresh food about to run out but we masses of other stuff - and
fruit!
AJB 03/12/09
