Going Bananas
Salsa af Stavsnas
Ellinor Ristoff Staffan Ehde
Sun 9 Dec 2012 10:14
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Yesterday was a day in the desert. The sun
shining and almost no wind.
The terror to be with little wind and a swell of
1-2 meters is that the sails flap violently everytime the boat
rolls.
It sounds like thunder and it makes you wonder if
it is going to hold.
Our bananas matured all at the same time, just as
exciting to tell the world, as writing home that you have seen the Eiffel tower
in Paris.
The difference is that we believed the guy who told
us to cover them in dark and just bring out those you want and put them in the
sun.
The autopilot went bananas, it decided to stop
working as soon as you did not look. We suspected some interference in the
network and decided to shut the whole boat off, since it did not help to just
switch off the unit.
Strange feeling, in the middle of the atlantic, to
shut the whole space ship down. You realize how many things that are electric
now.
Late afternoon the sea was so settled we jumped in
the ocean. I took the opportunity to refit the Hydrovane wind rudder so at least
we have a spare. Being just two on board with children looks a little bit
uncomfortable to hand steer 9-10 days ahead.
Coming up again from the water (little bit scary to
have 4000 meter under you) we restarted all the electricity and it all worked
again!
But the banging and slamming was driving us
bananas.
The sun started to set and a small breeze picked
up, YES! 2,8 knots! Can you feel the G-force?
YES! over 3 knots now! The GPS shows we will be in
St Lucia for Eastern at least (Hate that ETA function)
It got dark, more wind, 4.8 knots!
WOW!
And now, ladies and Gentlemen! we are making 7.2
knots! Fasten your seat belts!!!
Throw the old bananas over
board...
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