8:20S 122:58E
At anchor but not happy.
OK, when I left Kupang I had a transmission that worked, charged batteries and a good gennaker.
Progressively during the trip the alternator decided not to charge the batteries, the transmission worked in forward idle but slipped when I increased the revs and I got a rip in the gennaker (UV wear. It is on it's last legs, like me I fear).
Despite that lot I got to the anchorage in 48 hours (120nm!) mainly sailing but with a little idle assist. However I now had flat house and starter batteries. I sailed towards the anchorage to check it out. Way too deep and the swell rolled right in there. Not too sure how many rally people will stay there. They're due in three days.
Right, I gybed out safely and considered my options. Priority was/is repair the gennaker so need a shallow anchorage. Next would be charge all the batteries. The emergency elektrikery had worked fine but chose now not to start. Right. Saw this anchorage with fishing boats in it. It looked OK, a bit open to the swell but not too bad. It's basically a town anchorage so Internet/phone access and if it all goes horribly wrong there are people around. Sailed in, still looked OK so committed. Ah yes, the rocks. I saw them the same time as I jinked around a small buoy. If I'd have backed the gennaker and gone that way I would have been clear. As it is I'm a tad too close for comfort.
So why am I typing and not doing something? Thinking. I could put a second anchor down for security but that might go wrong. I can't start the engine as yet and the emergency elektrikery spark pug is drying out. Even if I do start the engine no guarantees that forward will engage. When the current switches I'll be able to drift out which was the standby plan although the prevailing wind angle is good to sail out (just).
At the moment I'm sitting to see how the anchor holds. Probably got 2X scope but can't let any more out because of the rocks, although they are not directly behind me at the moment. Priority will be get engine started and if I can move over a bit. I have to say this is the pitts but I have to repair the gennaker before the rip gets bigger. The main alone is not a worthwhile sail and to all intents and purposes I'm now engineless. Should I have stayed in Kupang? Well it all worked when I left!
