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Resolute of Thames - True Blue (with a dash of panic)



As Colin mentioned in yesterday's Log Blog we are settling nicely and resting well (albeit in 4 hourly bursts) after the bitter sweet Mindelo experience.

If the first Leg to Cape Verde was disappointing from the blue water sailing perspective (more like grey water)then Leg 2 is certainly delivering. The sky today is almost cloudless and the sea is deep blue and silver dazzled by the sun as it moves relentlessly...seemingly pushing us onwards.

Not such an idyllic picture last night however when we were gleefully whizzing along under full main and genoa when the Autohelm (automatic steering system)failed. Gilly-mate's peaceful watch was rudely interrupted by alarms and instrument messages. Skipper was unceremoniously woken and hand steering commenced. In the inky blackness (needless to say Moon had unhelpfully not put in an appearance) we took down the main sail and its gybe preventer and regained control under headsail alone. Since then Harriet the Hydrovane (the completely independent steering system with a vane and rudder on the stern)has come into her own. Calmly and silently she nods her red vane to find the wind and steers her iffy course which, when plotted on the chart is remarkably accurate and steady. Meanwhile Autohelm is in disgrace. Outwardly there seems nothing wrong so we are hoping he gave up when the going got too tough for him and he could no longer hold the course with so much sail up and quite a lot of wind. There being nothing seemingly wrong and therefore frustratingly nothing for Skipper to busy himself fixing, we tentatively pressed 'auto' and it engaged immediately as though nothing had happened. However, had there been a button for us to press which said TRUST there would be no way it would engage, so for the time being at least in light winds and little swell, Harriet continues to be our trustworthy steerer.
Gill


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