Sunday 6th December (Brindabella)

Brindabella's Web Diary
Simon Williams
Sat 12 Dec 2009 20:42

Day 15

   They both felt better for some decent rest and after breakfast put a gybe in. All went well until one of those nice shiny and incredibly expensive snap shackles broke trapping the genoa sheet. Lini prayed no squalls would emerge until Simon managed to release it. We went like a dingbat for a while until the wind backed my mainsail when the autohelm was too slow to correct a slew over a wave. A loud crack from my sail revealed a broken top batten. It was in danger of ripping through my sail and was caught around my shrouds. A trip up my mast looked inevitable and Lini was thankful they’d had a dry run before departure. Luck was on our side today however as a bit of giggling with my main halyard freed it and they were able to drop the sail to remove the shattered batten. Thank goodness it was just the small top one, although we found out later the second had shattered too.

   Our problems came in threes and my steering has developed a stiff point on the helm. Simon prepared the emergency steering system in case I have big problem later. Naps, showers, laundry and meals filled the rest of the day. I raced along well this evening with flatter seas, reaching 10kts at times surfing down waves. At good speeds we now have under 80 hours to our waypoint off St. Lucia. J

Breakfast – Orange, kiwi, grapes+ yoghurt – Cereal.

Lunch – Paté+ tostadas – salad.

Dinner – Mediterranean chicken, new potatoes, cabbage, carrots.