|
|
|
HomePeter's LogsPhotographsThe BoatThe Crew |
|
LOG ENTRY DATE: June 10, 2003 One week out! Strong winds for last 3 days (Sunday through
Tuesday), so we've been making good progress. Winds have been consistently
behind us, so even though they've been regularly up to 30 knots, they
don't seem so bad. Have been trying to establish speed record amongst
ourselves... 10.2 knots has been the fastest - not bad for the old girl. Had some problems yesterday. Flying jibe cause several of the bolts holding the boom's gooseneck to the mast to loosen; several came out. Also loosened up the vang plate on the mast. Have tightened where possible, then clamed with cable and/or large hose clamps. Suspect the repair will hold to the Azores, where I can re-drill and tap the holes. Also seem to have a consistent leak... nothing huge, but the bilge pump cycles fairly constantly. Trouble is, there's so much stuff in the bilge it's hard to track where it's coming from. Think we'll survive that problem, though. The crew is doing well. We adjust our watch schedules to meet the weather, and everyone seems to be getting enough sleep. When things are not hairy, we do single-man watches, sometimes just an hour at a time, which keeps the steering down (we're doing a fair amount of hand steering due to high seas and the fact that they are running down the stern quarter of the boat, meaning we're getting yawed around quite a bit—tough for the autopilot to control). Everyone pitches in, and everyone gets a long well—good sailors all! Our next forecast calls for calmer winds on Wednesday and Thursday—maybe some sunshine! We love the speed we've been getting, but would also love to take a break and soak up some rays... Mike and Jack want to return home with tans! Our forecasts come, for the most part, through a single side band radio weather net, hosted by Herb Hilgenberg. About 60 boats—from all over the Atlantic - check in with him and receive their weather and routing information. So far, he's been right on the money. Our latest tactic - besides simply heading east—has been to stay south of the Gulf Stream for the time being, due to seas being kicked up there by the weather, and becuase there are counter-currents between us and it. We may head back up there when the weather gets quiet, and "hitch a ride" on the 2 knot current. Our fresh food supplies are dwindling, as is our bottled water and soda. We'll be on packaged food and tank water soon. No suprise—all part of the equation. We'll miss the frozen casseroles, though! |
|
|
home | complete logbook | boat | crew | cruisemaine.com |
|
|
|
