Never make plans!

Gaviota
Fri 10 Jan 2014 01:04
 
05:39.6890N  80:50.8073W
 
We left Isla del Rey on New Years Day and started the trip to Ecuador, weather was hot and sunny but no wind, so engine on and we relaxed and enjoyed the regular visits from dolphins - 2 extremely large spotted dolphin played around the bow for about an hour.  The wind picked up in the night and sails went out and we flew along at up to 9 knots.  Next morning was cloudy and clouds continued building as well as seas, then it started raining big style, so soaked and cold we forged on, there was a loud crack - part of the rigging which holds the mast up had snapped sending the lower front starboard shroud crashing to the deck - I knew it was bad when I saw Syd clutching his bible - Nigel Calder's Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical Manual! .... Decision time 200 miles out with 400 miles on to Ecuador and a mast which may not make it.   Turning back would mean a 2 day beat into short steep seas and winds against a current of 1 to 2 knots back to Panama City - a place where we know our way about and knew boat parts can be got OR a 3 day sail hopefully into calmer seas and better weather to Bahia de Caraquez Ecuador, a small place with no boat shops or technical help.  Panama City won, so we started the long beat back.