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LOG ENTRY DATE: June 16, 2003 Saturday night's sail was a perfect example of what night sailing should be: 15 knot beam reach, low seas, a full moon under clear skies, and the boat surging along at 8 knots. And, everyone as dry as a bone. We've had a lot of good sailing nights, but not one like this, where it's pleasant just to sit in the cockpit, feel the steady breeze, and listen to the hiss of the water as the boat glides over it and it passes astern. We're now about 200 miles from Horta. If we can stay at 6.5 knots or faster, we'll be in by Tuesday (6/17) evening. If not, we'll probably slow down to hang outside before coming in. If we do make it by Tuesday, that will give a total elapsed time of 14 days, 6 hours. Not bad for the old girl: 2200 miles with an average speed of almost 6.5 knots. Yesterday's breakdown was the refrigerator compressor, which is driven by the engine. One of the hoses broke off at the flange that connects it to the compressor, rendering it non-cooling. Only discovered it when regular maintenance was run on the engine. Explains why the fridge has been warm.... though this is a bit more confusing than it sounds as we run the electric compressor as well from time to time, meaning there was always some residual coolness. Fortunately, though, we do have that alternate compressor, so our food has avoided spoilage. Had a chuckle at Tom's expense last night. His bunk, which is designed to slide part way out to become wider, actually took it upon itself to slide all the way out, wedging Tom between the inverted bunk and the salon table. He had to be extricated with the help of two crew members, who drew the situation out as long as possible. Should pass the 30th's meridian tonight, which spells doom for the remaining bottle of wine. Trying to remember the last time I went for two weeks with maximum imbibing of only a couple of sips of wine... probably elementary school. One last day to follow the regular pattern that unfolds regularly: night watch, a slow gathering of the group in the cockpit by mid-morning, lunch together, reading/napping/chores, tea (this is true - at 1600 every day), tuning in Southbound II at 1930Z - 2130Z (Zulu is Greenwich time, or 4 hours ahead of the east coast, US... we are currently in a time zone 2 hours ahead of EST), dinner, agreement on watch schedule, asleep by 2300Z. Suspect that pattern will resurrect itself when Ted Reed and Susan Pollis get on board for the trip to Lisbon on July 12 or so. Have started to see some traffic... a couple of freighters last night, and a sailboat crossing our stern this morning, bound either for Europe or Flores. Also had a close encounter a couple of days ago with a French 100' ocean racer... they sailed up a mile off our stern quarter, and then came down, right along side, to check us out. VHF conversation indicated that they were bound for France for repairs and reprovisioning. Then they kicked up their heels and disappeared in almost no time at all. Zose nasty Frenchmen, zey have kicked ze sand in our face again, no? Fish count stands at zero. Time is running out. In the meantime, we continue to work our way though the hoards of food we have on board. I think we could survive pretty well for another couple of weeks, provided the water holds. Currently, we are down to about 66 gallons in the tanks, and just about out of bottled water. But, tank water and Crystal Lite are a good enough combo for dispelling crew grumbling, and thus preserving morale. Will continue logs from ashore at the Azores, and continue when we put back to sea the second week in July. We will also be sailing through the Azore islands (of which there are 10), exploring them. Our crew will change on Friday, when Jack and Mike depart from Horta. Tom and I will continue from Horta (on the island of Faial) to Sao Miguel, where we will pick up Katie on June 25 for 10 days, and then meet Ted and Susan on July 6. The schedule calls for one more week of island exploration before moving onto Portugal with them as our crew. They'll depart Portugal a week after we arrive. |
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