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Timshel - Panama to Galapagos Days 1 and 2 (for us)



So there we were, bottom cleaned, briefing done, party done, all ready to set off for Galapagos - when we noticed that our service batteries were at 10.5V. It seems that the amps put in by the solar panels during the day had masked the fact that the batteries were holding no charge at all. Stefano contacted Galapagos for us, batteries could be obtained but they would be only half the capacity of our existing ones. Sadly we decided to return the 40 miles to Panama to get the problem sorted and had to watch the fleet set off for a lively sail without us. Our passage back to Panama was also brisk, again we were grateful for our yellow shirts help in contacting and arranging a berth in the marina for us in fact we saw them all on the ferry which passed us on the way in to Panama and Stefano kindly came to check on us next morning. A busy day ensued - new batteries were sourced with help of Alejandro (highly recommended by Laura Dawn and Aurora) and Steve was able to fit them with a bit of modification to the battery box, more shopping and washing done. So we were ready to leave next morning (Sunday) motoring in a glassy calm. A little wind came up in the afternoon and we managed to set the halfwinder (cruising chute) dead downwind with a pole - the first time we had used it that way. It was great that we managed to make contact with the fleet in the evening SSB schedule. Reception was not brilliant, guess we are over 400 miles behind now. Switched to poled out yankee overnight until wind died completely in the early hours so more motoring. Dolphins came at dawn, later we saw a whale blow. More wind again so sail plan varied between halfwinder with pole downwind, all white sails on a reach and poled out yankee depending on wind speed and direction. Lovely sailing in the sunshine, often a favorable current, just not sure we can catch up at all. Certainly not now wind has just died!



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