Day 4 In the Gulf Stream, Thunder and Rain Stream

Akarana
Graham Deegan
Fri 20 May 2011 19:55
39:09.16N 63:29.75W
Day 3 started very promisingly with a bright moon and a steady breeze. We
did not want to go due east because of the fog and cold. The thinking was
to get south into the warmer water and warmer air. This we did and it was
quite remarkable how fast the sea and air changes. Half an hour, which is
only about 4 miles, and the sea temperature went from 11.5degC to 21degC,
and the air temperature followed suit. Later that morning the watch was to
be seen in shorts sunning themselves.
This was not to last. Showers followed by thunder storms and squalls of 35 -
40 knots true. Everybody getting wet from rain. It was nevertheless quite
an envigorating experience. The waves built quite quickly, but at the same
time were flattened by the torrential rain. Visibility no more than 75m.
Akarana at 56 ft is quite a big boat and did not have any trouble dealing
with the conditions, but we did have to put the second reef in the main.
Then.... as if nothing had happened it was gone... we were back to 10 knots
of breeze, the sun setting in the west and a big black flashing cloud to
the north.
We started the engine, but stopped it almost immediately. ...no cooling
water. Mother helped the Nipper to trace the problem to an airlock in the
seawater inlet strainer... All was well and we motored on through the
night, tucking into Mother's famous Lasagne. After dinner discussions were
about how to get the freezer temperature down. The Ice cream for the
nippers traditional mid way dinner had to be jettisoned. Freezer
discussions are ongoing! North American refridgeration engineers are being
cursed.
With a light breeze in the morning full sail was shaken out. Although
cloudy and sometimes rainy good progress is being made to the East.
RoadRunner laid a golden egg in the forward heads and had to snap on some
latex gloves to clear it. The vacuum system bit him back and we were lucky
not to loose him into the shit tank. RoadRunner is so named because of his
introducing the fashion... and being the leading user of the yellow
Sou'wester. He is also very agile running about the boat.
Farmer Giles has been for a walk about the estate (to the bow and back)
The Doc has tested the shower at sea and not come catapulting out.
Libby's passport emerged in the most obvious place when looking for deck
leaks ( of which there are a few!)
The agency photographr is never on hand when needed... here are some ordinary pictures...
Must sign off now... Tea and cake being served in the aft cockpit
The Prof...

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