14 11 945N 055 04 345W

Fair Do's VII, Atlantic 2008....
Professor John Shepherd
Mon 8 Dec 2008 06:18
Hi Chris,
 
There may have been some delay recieving this, unfortunatley we ordered satphone minutes on Friday and they came back and said they would not do until Monday so we are still (as I write) waiting for them to top them up - sorry. 
 
Our position is 14 11 945N 055 04 345W
 
Current information:
Wind strength: 12 .2 knots
Wind direction: 062
Heading: 287
Boatspeed: 10 knots (A2 and staysail, starboard tack)
 
Historical (last 12 - 24 hours):
Wind strength: 17.5 -  10
Wind direction: 052 - 070
Heading: 280 - 295
Boatspeed: 10 - 17.5 knots
 
We have been on Starboard tack since yesterday morning, pretty much on course. Breeze freshened throughout yesterday morning and we changed to the A4 approximately 1130. Had a great day, with some good surfing, eating up the miles - in fact managed 242 miles in the right direction between 0600 yesterday and 0600 today so all in all pretty good.
 
Our plan is to pretty much crack on as we are, 344 miles to the finish - hopefully this breeze will hold up and we can get in tomorow evening! Only minor concern is damaged backstay, which has been creeping on its hydraulics (and the hydraulics are not working presently to tension back up), we are waiting till dawn to effect a proper or temporary repair when we've a clearer idea of the issue. Does not seem to be slowing us up that much, though the rig is floppier than you would like.
 
All the best.
 
Regards,
Duncan