Position                    24:24.48 N 029:18.64 W

Date                         2359 (UTC) Wednesday 08 March 2017

Distance run              in 24hrs 133nm over the ground, 133nm through the water

Passage total             2,428nm over the ground, 2,341nm through the water

Distance to go           1,134nm      Up on yesterday but this now represents a forecast         route that we are likely to travel to the destination

Planned distance       Ascension to the Azores west around the high 3,666nm

 

The forecast was not far out, we lost useable wind at 0900 and the engine went on for the first time in over 10 days.  It is to the credit of the Raymarine Autopilot that it has steered by the wind, either 45 or 50 degrees on a starboard tack, for 10 days and 8 hours without issue.  At this stage we altered our course to go East along the bottom of an area defining where the developing weather system will produce the strongest head winds and largest swell.  We are now able to plot an estimated route around the weather to Punta Delgada and this is reflected in the 'distance to go' figure quoted above.  Being on a more even keel has allowed the water maker operate fully; it has a dislike of operating on a bouncy starboard tack when it ingests air through the salt water intake. 400 litres later we have a full tank once again.

 

Elizabeth took the opportunity of the galley operating on an even keel to create enchiladas using minced ostrich meat (Texas speak - ground ostrich).  Is this something on offer in Austin's finest?