Lanzarote to Mindelo. Day 7. Saturday 4^th February 2023.

Noon GMT report

Great news we now know we have comms. We know this because my mother in law has emailed us – nice to know someone’s following us…

All was going OK yesterday afternoon. Swells you can put up with, decent (and sensible wind) and good speed averaging around 6.5 knots. That was until I looked at the charging panel and saw that we were drawing 8 amps. The duogen was deployed, the solar panels were up, so what could it be? The answer: a very tough piece of (presumably African) commercial fishing line wrapped very tightly around the duogen’s prop. The only solution was to raise the duogen, which of course meant slowing the boat down and balancing on the stern to lift the duogen and disconnect the blades. Needless to say the mate was not a happy woman when I was doing this. But it had to be done and for reference, I was clipped on, not once, but twice. Once recovered, since the mate claims to be a fishing expert, she got the job of unwrapping the line. It was a happy ending and the duogen was back in within the hour and charging away as it should.

So with the boat settled our night watches started. However, soon into them the wind died so we had to start the engine. But, before the engine is started it is always best to recover the duogen (for reasons of possible multiple charging conflicts), so slow the boat down again and –well you get the gist…

Around 0500 when the mate came off watch and I was going on, she reported a slight increase in wind. I deemed this strong enough to sail, so out with the genoa, down with the duogen and off with the engine…phew, that’s enough up and down with the duogen for a while. (They are superb pieces of equipment, but they are heavy to lift).

As I went off watch at 0800 the wind was fine etc etc. Then at 0930, being very bleary and tired I realised that I was trying to sleep in the nautical equivalent of a tumble dryer. Poking my head on deck, I saw the mate surfing along some 3 metre waves at around 8knots, claiming all was well. I sometimes think that the mate would be happier doing the Sydney Hobart or similar. Clearly she was tired too and we had to get some reefs in and relatively quickly. That done, everything settled down a bit and we started all our boat chores – sleeping, cooking, cleaning, checking the boat, gribs, blogs, looking after ourselves – I don’t where the time goes but it does.

As I write, the seas are still up at around 2 to 2.5m and the wind around 18 knots. All fine and dandy, except the wave period is bit on the short side at only 5 seconds. If you ever come ocean sailing, remember this: wave period is king! It will dictate how you sleep, how the boat handles etc etc.

Our plan is still to aim for Monday morning into Mindelo. We could get there earlier, but as we’ve said- no thanks to a night time entry.

I can also report some happy weather news. It’s warmed up!! Horrah, at last..!

Andy & Jo

Ps the mate wants to say that she’s just seen a flying fish - our first on this trip…