08/12/02 17º03N 51º44W

Oriole
Sun 8 Dec 2002 16:58

We are bowling along in 15-20 knots of wind from the ENE in true trade wind
style with 575 miles to go to Antigua. We have done no motoring except to
charge the batteries about every other day, the towed generator had been
keeping pace with the electricity consumption until we started using the
fans more and running the radar at night to track the squalls. We had just
passed our halfway point on Wednesday when the first squall hit us, the wind
did not go much above 30 knots and the rain was very welcome to wash off
some of the dust we had acquired in the Cape Verde. The squally weather
seems to have gone for the moment but we may get more as we approach
Antigua. We have had a fairly busy week running the boat, baking bread,
making yoghurt, growing mung beans and eating ice lollies!! Plus one or two
other excitements. Almost unbelievably a flying fish scored a direct hit
on the fabric cover of the hydrovane self steering gear, which has been
doing sterling work since we left home. An 8" gash through both layers of
the fabric was sustained, when it happened Andrew was on his night watch and
the noise of the hit gave him quite a fright. Functionally the hydrovane
has been unimpaired. And oh yes! Last night just as supper was being served
Andrew noticed that the backstay was starting to come apart near the top.
For non sailors, no backstay means no mast, fortunately a cutter rig lends
itself to this situation. We have set up the runners and reduced sail to
below where they support the mast and there has only been a marginal
reduction in boat speed. To support the top section of the mast which was
still at risk we have substituted a new and strong main halyard to take the
place of the topping lift which has been set up as a jury backstay. We are
reasonably confident that this arrangement will get us safely to Antigua
from where our next instalment should come.