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Exody - Days 384,385: Last lap - hot and windless !



The wind has dropped to about 5 knots and the cabin temperature has reached over 33 degrees C as we take the last 90 mile lap to Salvador overnight to arrive early morning. Everyone is down below staying out of the sun and the heat.

With the lighter conditions our last two days runs have been 146 and 125 miles. Today, Monday 1st February, was our thirteenth at sea and we expect to be in Salvador almost exactly two weeks on from our St Helena start tomorrow, along with Ayama and Starblazer. Six boats are already in sampling the delights of the city and land- based activities!

Earlier we dropped the main - sounded like it was clattering itself and the rigging to destruction and flew our loose luffed jib with the genoa instead. With 8/9 knots of wind we were making 4 knots plus - satisfactory! But not any longer with the reduced wind so, regrettably, the engine is now on. Our engine hours since Cape Town are,or were, only about 12 and keeping them low is not only good for fuel economy and our ears but also for being 'placed' in the rankings! There is a factored engine hours penalty added to all boats' finishing times and typically those with the lower hours place well.

Last night four ships crossed our path all headed northwards - no avoiding action needed since nearest was 2.5 miles at closest point of approach - although that does seem very close at night! Kept the watchkeepers on their toes whilst I slept.

Exody was radio net controller today for the third time this leg - the reception or propagation has not been that good and it is all we can do to secure a complete roll call, let alone have time for quizzes, chats, poetry and banter - pity!

Culinary standards remain high- chinese stir fry mainly from cans and dried stuff last night followed by pineapple(canned), peach(dried) and orange(fresh) steeped in port; home made smoked salmon and cream cheese pate for lunch.

Next log from Brazil

Peter (Skipper)


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