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Karhammel IV - News from Karhammel IV



Saturday 7th December, we began to get strong gusts, particularly at night. Every cloud brought its contribution. The larger clouds were pushing wind and water before them.

We were already closing the fleet at that time, but remarked one boat was not so far away, and decided to chase her, Lubilu III. We know the crew, ate with 2 of them during the skipper-crew supper, J.

As we were making some progress, and were goose-winged with 2 reefs in the main and the jib fully unrolled on the pole, Bruno at helm heared a big bang , and could see the jib flying free at the bow, and the clew point hanging desperately on the sheet at the pole!

Very bad new indeed, 1,5 knot less at least, and difficulties if we would have to tack (not really a point in the circumstance). We set our small storm jib, which doesn’t bring so much, but manage to limit the luff up during the gusts. This sail is red as the hydrovane, they become quickly friends .

Monday the conditions were better, and we lowered the jib, which is damaged at several places in addition to the clew, and we prepared straps and the sewing material. It is hard work, Christine spent already three hours to install a first strap (we intend to put three of them for the new clew)

In the meantime we headed South East to round an area of strong wind forecast. Good choice, we found on a southerlier route dryer nights !

We have decided not to use the hydro generator, because of the drag, but our solar panels and wind generator are producing enough to keep the batteries fairly loaded.

For the Tuesday night, we set a third reef so that our Hydovane could control the situation in any case ; The night before had been hard as we had to helm almost permanently. Difficult when one tend to fall asleep !

Finally, all dynema schackles manufactured by Christine for our grand children have found a use on the boat, J. But Christine, somehow tenacious, intent to buy dynema ropes in Santa Lucia…

Wednesday 11th December

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