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Paw Paw - Log Day 222: Decisions, Decisions, Decisions ...



As with most things in life we have choices and, therefore, decisions to make. Prior to leaving Samoa this morning, we had to make a decision on our departure date, based on the weather forecasts we had been studying for the past week. Do we take advantage of the forecasted flatter seas, but lighter winds, which meant we would be motoring or, at best, motor-sailing or do we wait until after the weekend for stronger winds that would allow us to sail, albeit a beat, accompanied by higher seas?

Based on the sailing season we have had thus far, we opted for the former. With two engines, the prospect of motoring or motor-sailing just meant we would adopt our normal strategy - motor at a low RPM to conserve fuel, alternate between engines and add some time to the passage to account for the slower speed we would be doing.

Well, it seems Murphy had other ideas! We had no sooner left the anchorage when the port engine started to run a little hotter than normal. Rather than risk anything, we swapped engines and let the port engine cool down before starting the troubleshooting process. First, replace the impeller. Unfortunately that didn't solve the issue. Second, check if the intake is blocked. So, switch off starboard engine and drift. Adorn snorkel gear, secure a safety line for the 1.5 kt current and take the plunge. Nope, nothing blocked.

Once Roy was safely back on board, the next decision had to be made. Do we return to Apia or continue on? Knowing that Samoa has no yachting repair facilities or spares, but Tonga, in particular our destination, the Vava'u Group, has a Moorings and Sunsail base and the fact that monohulls motor on one engine all the time, we took the decision to continue.

Fortunately we have the choice of stopping tomorrow morning in Nuiatoputapu, the most northern island with an anchorage in the Tongan chain if we decide we want to do more detailed trouble-shooting. Alternatively, in the flat seas, we could do that while underway. However, the wind is also forecasted to pick up slightly from tomorrow, so hopefully we can sail instead. Of course, we could just decide to do nothing at this point since the engine is still working and can run at a lower RPM if need be. Oh, decisions, decisions, decisions!

In the interim, we enjoyed a beautiful sunset this evening and saw an amazingly bright "green flash". Tonight we are motor-sailing under a full moon.

The best decision at this point is to sit back and just enjoy the ride!


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