No engine "52:09.74N 13:06.48W"
The adventures of Skipper Splodge and mack
Ian Cheek
Fri 28 May 2010 08:53
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We are getting GRIP files downloaded from the
Iridium phone from Mail A Sail, (thank you Mail A Sail for this service), it
showed that we were going to be going through a null patch for wind, and looking
forward using synoptic we are able to download from the Nasa SSB, and the PC
showed a very deep low 960 out mid Atlantic developing, which looks like it
could be with us some time Sunday. So we couldn't afford to sit still waiting
for wind, so we dipped our fuel tank, calculated the fuel burn for a 12 hour
engine run, and it looked like we would be able to motor through the null
wind.
So that was our plan wait till the wind died and
motor. Sounds simple and the wind died at about 0130 this morning, so John tried
to start the engine, but nothing. Engine turning over, but no electrics to the
engine panel so no glow plugs. A simple fix, the negative had come loose from
the alternator, so reconnected, and engine on.
Once we get wind and can sail, we will be using the
small generator Joe brought for battery charging to save on the
fuel.
We expect to make K4 some time late tomorrow
afternoon, subject to winds picking up
The autopilot has been disassembled, and we have
stripped the gears in the motor assemble so no way to fix it out here, so it
will be manual steering from now on.
Not much else to report, the only wild life we have
seen has been Fulmars, and Shearwater. No sights of dolphins, sharks or
whales.
Have been chatting to Vulcan Spirit each morning on
the SSB, not a good signal this morning, but we will try again tomorrow morning.
It's nice to hear them each morning, and knowing we are not alone out here. We
saw a large ship on the horizon yesterday afternoon but that has been
that.
John is getting know his sextant, not sure if he is
sleeping with it yet, but just wishes it could do all the calculations as
well.
Right of to go and get a weather report, so we can
keep an eye on this Low out there.
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