09:27.33S 22:07.09W

COG 290T

SOG 5kts

Another hot sunny day, pretty flat sea, steady F4 wind. Nevertheless we will both admit to feeling a bit despondent today.

Our daily distances are falling. We averaged less than five knots in the last 24 hours - it was slow going overnight.

We now have a problem with our main steering system. We get resistance and grinding noise when turning the wheel and rudder. We have checked overboard and there is nothing caught on the rudder. We guess the problem is in the linkage between the wheel and the rudder and will need to spend time checking this out. Fortunately we lock the wheel on passage and steer using the Hydrovane rudder. We can use this by hand at other times if required. Rather disconcerting nevertheless!