Day 5 - Still Sailing
Bonkers
Donald Macdonald
Fri 19 Jan 2024 17:39
Last night the wind did settle down in that it stayed above 20 knots all night, 30 in the gusts. The sea has been very messy and Harold is having the odd problem holding course with the 3-4 meter swell and the the 2-3 meter waves in all directions on that. White water also adds to the problemm of knocking the boat as we were on a beam reach. John or myself would not do any better, probably worse than Harold as the night is so dark and unable to identify the horizon or markers for direction. One little problem in the putting the 3rd reef in last night the mainsail got stuck coming down. Eventually identified as the cringle for third reef to go on cow horn had caught something on the 1st set of spreaders. Hoisting sail 30cm and coming up 50 degrees solved that.
Good part of day has been sunshine and solar panel did a full charge of the house battery. The sea in the last hour or so appears to have improved and we still have 18-20 knots of wind, 30 knot gust are expected during the night and to keep cousre wind will move aft.
Engine oil leak still not solved, paper towel did not have indication of a leak on it. Will leave investigations now until in harbour.
Dinner will be chunky vegetable soup, with extra carrots, baked baguette, cheese the sliced peaches.