13.00N 73.20W

JENNY
Alan Franklin/ Lynne Gane
Sun 13 Jan 2008 16:22
Hi everybody.
 
The journey continues!  Jon and Bon arrived late due to airline problems, so final departure Aruba not till 11.00 on the12th after the usual run-around with Immigration - they seem to have difficulty understanding how 2 people can leave a boat and 2 join, quite a normal thing you'd think!
 
We departed, and slipping through the reef passage showed the sea in so many beautiful shades of blue -  brown colours to be avoided! (coral heads), and then broad reaching with 20 knot winds, heading NW into deeper waters to avoid the heavier seas expected in this part of the Caribbean.
 
Everything is going well, except the generator still giving a problem, despite changing the faulty heat sensor (twice in fact) the controller still insists its a problem and won't start - b....y software! even master reset fails to change things, need to sort in Panama as no more time in Aruba.
 
Bit rolly polly last night, sleep a little difficult until sea legs return!  Jon and Bon bearing up well and enjoying? it.  We had 26 knots last night so maintaining good speed, helped by a 2-3 knot current which we'll enjoy for about 300 miles, but then a one knot back eddy against us for the rest of the way, with potentially  choppy seas. We're maintaining 60 miles north of the Colombian coast now, which is close enough! The boat is again performing well for us, we had a small issue with a mainsail reefing block disintegrating with a bang last night but it caused no problems- its all fixed now.
 
Today the winds and seas easing somewhat and first radio roll call took place  - nice to know there must be a least 6 boats close by all heading for St Blas Is, or Shelter Bay Panama. At this time still not sure whether we'll be able to visit St Blas,  but 154 miles in the first 24 hrs bodes well.
 
Best end for now