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GEM - A Most Difficult Night



Yesterday’s wx fcst had us elated. Winds will shift to East and we can sail for next 36 hours. Not to be. The shift started toward sunset yesterday about 12 hours late and only went to E/SE which meant we could not sail. Cat’s don’ point very well, our apparent wind was in the 30’s we needed in the 40’s ideally 50. So we motorsailed on into confused swells and more pounding, we were able to use the main to ease the engines. At about 9:30 last night the apparent wind gusted into the low 30’s and there was another BANG (on Grant’s watch) and the mainsail had pulled the attachment points for the outhaul and the topping lift right out of the boom, tearing the aluminum casting at the top like it was a tin can. We immediately took the second reef in the mainsail (the only reef point remaining) and took stock of the damage. Jim had tied a strop around the boom in case the outhaul failed again and this kept the mainsail foot attached to the boom. If not for that we might not have been able to put in the reef. 

We also found that one of the batten cars had detached itself from the batten but the others seem fine so we can get a decent sail shape on the main. About 1:00 am Craig called us to say the port engine sounded and felt off, we checked oil pressure and temp and sure enough the oil was at 20 psi, it should be 45! We immediately shut the engine down and started the starboard one. At daybreak we checked the port engine and the oil level was low, so we topped it off, everything seems fine now. We then checked the stbd engine and it was low on oil AND the sail drive fluid level is too high, this can mean a leak in the seals. We can’t confirm that until we get to Nanny Cay and if we have to can use the engine for maneuvering once we get there.

It’s now 10 am, we are 145 nm to the finish line and motorsailing again at a little over 5.0 k. If we can continue we’ll arrive in ~30 hours. As for the expected wind change to the East and then NE in zone II, it’s not happening. 

My punch list of repairs is quite long now, most likely we’ll need some time at Nanny to fix everything. Repairing the boom may take the longest, not sure if it can be repaired with a splice/shim or if a new boom is needed. For this I’ll need help/advice from Lagoon and the dealer.

The crew has been fantastic responding to every challenge, maintaining their composure and keeping a positive attitude. It’s been a real trial for them, I am extremely grateful for their help. 

This is my third long ocean crossing and by far the most difficult. Jim has done so many of these he has lost count and has never seen conditions this bad for so long. This trip is never easy but there will likely be quite a few stories to share. 

This may be our last blog at sea. We are hoping for a more peaceful day…. and night…

GEM at sea
Craig, Grant, Jay, Jim, Vin

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