The 40 knot gust did Mhor damage than we thought. Other members of the fleet also report damage to spars and sails. Massive problem, our spinnaker pole was no longer attached to the mast. The slider and it’s track had been bent by the strong gust and had twisted off the mast. The boys running repair was to cut the bent track off and re-feed the slider and fix it higher up the track. Securing the bottom of the track to the mast needed more of a Heath Robinson approach but armed with an angle grinder and a hammer it was soon banged to right.
Gingerly we let out the sail again, heavily reefed at first while we observed the fix. Soon Capt Master Mender Jon gave it the all clear and we were off again, surfing at 8 knots in a 20 knot breeze. Ships orders were changed though, jib reefing to made compulsory when squalls approach.
Also a good time for sorting the chafing genoa sheet. Swapping the lazy sheet for the active guy looks easiest, as the clew positions are too high to reach from the deck. I wonder when this will be performed.
The rest of the day fortunately passed with no further incidents. Fizz was given the day off and Capt Jon was promoted to chief cook and bottle washer. We were treated to a recipe that had been in his family since Frey Bentos ruled South America. The amaizeIng beef combination harmoniously blended with pomme de tere was tonights pinnacle of fine dining. Served with steamed cabbage (as a dedication to the wind gods) it was a real delight and was consummed with great gusto from a bowl in the cockpit. Some of us may even have enjoyed heartburn as a dessert and of course the wind continued to blow all night.
The rotating watch rota continues to confuse. Tonight Alistair started the ball rolling with an 20.00 start. This was delayed as our attempts to put the first reef in the main met stiff opposition, from the sail. In the dark with the boat turning to windward in a very lumpy sea, it proved impossible to work out the catch on the mechanics. As there isn’t much support for reef one anyway and Capt Jon was now soaked by his frequent forays forward of the mast, we stuck reef 2 in and went to bed.
Our Capt must be desiccated to his duty as we all enjoyed a dry night on watch again, apart from him. Another bad case of the squalls left him damp but not despondent.
Tuesday morning’s dawn flooded the cockpit with warm dry sunshine. With only 370 nm to go it’s hoped the cushions might dry in time for our arrival in St Lucia.
Alan
Photo of the mast fix
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