8 December
Persevere
Pat and Bruce
Thu 8 Dec 2011 15:48
8 December
Home stretch now. Yesterday was again the doldrums. All forecasts were the same, no wind. Again the water had a glass like surface. No chance of any meaningful sailing so just head for St Lucia.
Fuel reserves were calculated again. Estimated that the engine consumes 7 liters per hour at 1,600 rpm. That gives us close to 7 knots speed with a little help from the currents. With the engine running no need to operate the generator again as all power can be derived from the two alternators and the inverter.
My initial estimate had us short of fuel to motor the entire way. But with the winds not helping motoring was the only option for now. As it turns out we are getting better fuel economy that calculated. By dawn today we have enough fuel to motor all the way. So poor winds will not control our arrival time.
Not much of interest during the night. Cloud cover blocked most of the stars and moon. So watch duty was just sit at the helm and watch the gauges.
With our current speed we will arrive at St Lucia just before dawn. Doesn't matter the time of day the marina and the ARC staff will be available to assist with berthing.
Our last noon to noon distance was 150 miles not counting help from the current. The distance we are using is from the log meter which measures boat speed over water. Help from the currents is not recorded. If that is added then the miles are greater. I will calculate that at the end.
So with 106 miles to go breakfast should be taken at the marina for the first time in 18 days.
Kind regards