We uneventfully tried out our new dual headsail configuration – two
identical headsails, in our case they are each high-cut genoas, called Yankees.
It is complex to rig, yet relatively easy to fly, and can be flown from dead
downwind (180-degrees) to 30-degrees on either side of 180 i.e. +/-150AWA. We
were concerned about the potential of excessive yaw but such is not the case
(yet). We have been making 5-7knots under sail, and we are 160nm from Mindelo
with 1,940nm to go to St Lucia. Tomorrow should be lighter winds - yuck.
A critically disappointing discovery was that our 5-month old house
battery charger stopped working! Should we turn back??... Well, we all decided
to continue as we still have the MasterVolt Alfa Charger off the engine. A UK
MasterVolt technician checked the house charger two weeks ago in Las Palmas and
found it up to date and fully functional... We will certainly be watching fuel
usage closer, and we lose the planned ‘free’ use of our watermaker when charging
the 24Vdc house batteries, as the 90-liter per hour watermaker needs the 220Vac
provided by the generator. We will certainly be sailing a lot, and our water
tank is full!
Good news is that Nick landed a Mahi-Mahi this noon! Naturally, a
larger Tuna broke for freedom this afternoon before Evan could gaff him. Fresh
fish is a treat!
Otherwise, all is well in calm seas and light ENE winds
Tom Hughes