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Starblazer - 23/03/2014 – Slowly getting there



On Friday evening we decided that we would put the engine into gear when we needed to charge the batteries if the boat speed was below 3 knots. At 2355 Galapagos time, 2255 ship’s local, the boat speed had dropped to less than 3 so the engine went on at 2000 rpm at watch changeover. In flat water with what little wind there is from behind we would have easily achieved 5 knots through the water with the Brunton prop, unfortunately the old fixed blade prop we have put on barely manages 4 knots. Fortunately we have a little current going our way as well. Even with 12 hours motoring the day’s run was a slow 106 nM. We did try sailing for a couple of hours in the afternoon with the colourful cruising chute, we put it up when the wind peaked at 5 knots but we gave up when the wind dropped to 2 and the boat log speed registered 0.

As of 0900 Sunday we still have 250 miles to go and only enough fuel for less than 150. We are just hoping for wind, even 5 knots would be welcome. We haven’t registered more than 3 knots in the logbook since 1500 yesterday
when we switched the engine off and tried to sail. I wouldn’t be so worried if we had plenty of water, but we don’t! We still have enough for a few days but can we get there in a few days? We shall see.

Dinner was Argentinian sausages, made in the USA, served on a bed of couscous with a tomato and bean sauce. Couscous only uses less than half a pint of water to prepare, it was a water saving choice.

On a positive note, the sunrise was glorious, it’s sunny and warm (surprise, surprise) and we are fit and well.

Joyce


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