Monday, August 10th, 2015
Luna Quest
W. Eric Faber
Mon 10 Aug 2015 02:08
Daily Run:
The wind has been severely lacking since our departure from Mackay forcing us to motor most of the time. We had anticipated very light winds and bought two extra fuel jerry cans for carrying on deck. We now have 6 x 20 ltrs of extra fuel in jerry cans on deck, which should allow us to motor all the way to Cairns or Port Douglas, some 35 miles north of Cairns. At our current speed and from our current position we should arrive tomorrow evening in the day light at Cairns. The weather has been stunningly bright with clear skies during the day and a little cloud cover in the night. The moon, unfortunately, is in its last quarter and does not put in an appearance until the early morning hours. Without it, the night is pitch black save for the star-bespangled firmament and the occasional falling star.
The new autopilot is a treat. It keeps its course beautifully and one is tempted to abandon the Hydrovane, but it demands lots of power and that we do not have. Julia kept watch last night till one in the morning and I from one to five o'clock, when Julia took over again. It seems to suit us.
Eric