Skippers Log
1 December 2009.
Another day of spinny running however last night the surf was 5 m and we were still carrying the kite. Due to the swell we could not autohelm so we changed rotas to 1:30 helm 3 hours off.
Today I am shattered as two days on the trot I have scooped a 4 hour - 5 hour shift by some means. My longest sleep in the last 7 days is 2:30 mins. The boat was so uncomfortable yesterday rolling one way and another and getting knocked badly by waves. Saying that it was our doing as overnight we averaged 8 kts. Also I set a new trip record top speed off two waves with 12.8 knots. We are hoping our good time today will put us in good standing with the fleet. We are still unsure of our position as everyone seems to be so far north and they will need to drop down at some point to our Lat.
I blew out another guy today. Nothing is taking the strain that I am putting on it for very long I have now boshed up a totally new way of using guy ropes. Fingers crossed it holds.
Will's log 1st December
As John mentioned this morning, we have a new set up for the guy line on our spinnaker, unfortunately it only lasted till just after lunch time. Another all hands on deck moment to pull the wayward kite down. We all took a deep breath and decided to give it 24 hours before putting the kite back in the air. Although we all dream off making the best time possible to St Lucia, it is no use burning out the crew at the half way point.
We settled down for a beer and some food and had about twenty minutes of peace and smiles before the biggest disaster of the trip so far struck. Our brand new and very expensive autohelm (electronic Steering) decided to pack up and is unfortunately not repairable while on board. Although this may seem like a minor issue, for us, it is the end of our dreams for record time. Without it, and given the issues with our spinnaker, we can no longer use the kite as intensively as we have, if at all.
It is fair to say that the mood on board is deflated, a blow like this will cost us days, and although an extra day or two seems like little, for us it is huge.
But, it is the nature of all things at sea, all we can do is continue at the best speed possible and aim for the less than 20 day time period.
Enthusiastic as ever, Will.
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