6th June and onwards to Rme

Sealion
Richard Martin
Thu 6 Jun 2013 20:30
41 44N  12 15E
 
We set off this morning southwards on or about the same time as four other French boats who had arrived in Porto Traiano last night. At last three of them were heading to Greece for the summer and returning back to France in September/October. They too had left France much the same time as us and got stuck with the weather at the end of May in various places. You have got to hand it to the French they are quite a sailing nation.
 
Soon after setting off the wind filled in to a perfect and steady 9 to 11knots on a close haul. With flat calm seas Sealion was at her best happily cruising at 6.5knots. Progress was so good that we reached the River estuary and canal to Rome by 2.00pm. We could have carried on further South but thought we would stop and investigate visiting Rome etc. which we plan to do on the way back to France once we have explored the Amalfi coast, Gulf of Napoli and the islands around.
 
So a quick pit stop and off tomorrow.
 
I noticed today that the domestic batteries didn't seem to be charging up when the engine was running - not completely obvious as they are charged by the solar panels. The solar panels are enough to maintain the level of the batteries while the fridge and Navigation instruments are running but not make up for drainage during the night (or if we get a cloudy day). The engine battery was however definitely being charged. On arriving in Port I thought I had better start investigating - If you ever see the myriad of wiring in the bowels of this boat you will understand my concern that this could be a difficult problem to resolve. Well it must have been my lucky day - I immediately found that one of the wires had come detached from the back of the alternator. A quick strip of the wire and a new connector did the trick - all working again. Phew!! I think this may have been done by the mechanic last September when he was checking some other electrical issues.
 
It has to be said that whilst the marina here is OK the surrounding area (outskirts of Rome) has much to be desired so no pic's other than the lovely sailing under blue skies.