Horta
Morningsong
Fri 26 Jun 2009 09:36
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Alongside in Horta June 26-2009
Dear friends and Family
A last entry from the Morning Song.I must say its
difficult to write when the boat is not moving.Anyway we arrived in Horta in
very bad weather up to 30 knots of wind and a confuesd swell all the way to the
breakwater.We had some great fun racing a Danish Swan 52 that we actually
overtook and left in our wake.I know that should not be possible for a heavy
Hans Christian but we did it.The big test however was docking as we where unsure
weather we could use the engine going astern.The clearance went very smooth with
really friendly people Now let me tell you what really happend 3 days into
our voyage on June 13.The reason I did not write anything before was not to
scare anyone.At 10 in the morning we heard a ugly rumbeling sound and then a
bang.The rudder was locked 15 degrees to port.We got the sails reduced and the
boat hove to.Investigating we found the propeller shaft had tore loose from the
gear box slid back and hit the rudder.If this had been a boat with a free
hanging rudder it would have been game over.However we rigged our preventer
tackle and managed to pull the shaft back in.We found the longitudinal locking
pin under the engine ( sporkile) The locking pin securing the shaft to the
gearbox was sheared off. we then secured the shaft to the gear box using
hoseclamps and ropes and sailed on.Over the next 24 hrs a lot of thinking was
done.We then managed to reshape a zink anode that we found utilising the tools
we had and out little workshop.The reshaped anode was fitted as a clamp around
the shaft in front of the shaft bearing.And voila we where able to use the
engine going ahead only as the thrust from the prop keept the shaft in
place.once we stopped the engine the shaft slid 5 mm back and stopped against
the bearing.So with this jury rig we crossed the Atlantic.Yesterday we where
even able to go slow astern when arriving.So we are quite proud of our
ingenuity.Anyway today we are getting a service man onbord to evaluate the
permanent repair.We have also been promised a pier spot where we will tie up our
lovely "Song" untill the next leg North in August.Last night we enjoyed an
exelent meal ashore and an equally exelent night sleep.Horta is a lovely city
with its famous breakwater decorated by visiting yachts over many
years.
All the best from the crew of the Morning
Song
Cheers
Capt.
Stig
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