17.33.043N 58.43.36W

JENNY
Alan Franklin/ Lynne Gane
Fri 7 Dec 2007 20:10
Last night was the worse yet for squalls they came thick and fast with a vengeance ,in fact one big mean blighter caught me completely un- aware .Had the toe rail in the water 32knts of wind from 15 knts and everybody was up to reef down(take the sails in ),our boat speed was well over 9knts.It was fun.
 
We have a sort of rule when putting on more sail have a cup of tea first ,that normally takes about 20 minutes during which time the wind will decide what is going to do.Last night was no exception wind came up 20/21 knts boat speed 8 + knts wind speed dropped boat speed 4.5 knts- cup of tea time - boat speed still 4.5knts ,more sail 15 minutes later all hell breaks lose with 30knts + of wind + torrential rain all up all soaked shorten sail boat under control ,tidy up the lines off watch back to bed.As I have said many times crafty little blighters these squalls,by the way I turned the radar off which shows the squalls 10 minutes earlier to save the battery.
 
Tonight we go into battle fully charged and fully armed .With only 170nm to go we want to push on tonight so its double up on the watches that means 2 people on watch at a time makes it easier to reef down batteries fully charged radar in operation.Let them try to get one over on us now.
 
No fishing today have concentrated on speed.
 
A number of boats are beginning to suffer gear failures watermakers ,generators ,alternators it has been a long journey with all these items perhaps being stretched a bit it takes its toll Anyway I prepare myself for the night ahead .Tomorrow we will be in Antigua somewhere.