Progress but also some sad news

'Sarf & West mate, Sarf & West'
Pete Bernfeld
Mon 19 Aug 2013 08:45
Right then, finished the sail repair. A sail maker wouldn't think so but it's the best that I can do. There was a one metre rip and I didn't have enough ripstop so.....stitched the two edges together as step one then cut bits off the wrecked jib to make a series of patches as step two. It doesn't look pretty and I don't know if it will last. The whole gennaker is in pretty bad shape now from uv deterioration. As I mentioned (did I?) the top shackle was bent. I know that I have two spare shackles on board from the jib but can I find them? So, as a last resort I have a roll of Spectra. Not ideal but it will do.

I rigged up the ascender and I've had two practice six foot 'ascents'. Seems to work OK. On the second one I did think about going 'all the way' and retrieving the halyard but the boat was moving around too much. There are periods of flat calm so why make it more difficult than it has to be?

The solar has charged the batteries and the Sun has dried out the 'wet plug' on the emergency elektrikery. I find that I don't have a socket that will fit the spark plug. Anyway I mustered enough wiggly amps to get the engine started but I couldn't detect any life in the alternator. I did get forward motion, once. So I have a plan.

Tomorrow is the start of the rally festivities and quite a few boats have arrived. Tomorrow first thing I'll go up the mast if it hasn't calmed down tonight.  I'll row round the corner for the welcoming ceremony, arrange more fuel, water and petrol. Then we have a 'free period' so I'll get some 15/40, scrounge a pump or buy a manual one if I can  and change the oil in the saildrive. I will need help to get the gennaker back up, it needs to be guided into the groove (don't we all?) as there is a worn section of bolt rope. Oh yes, I may try and borrow (or buy) a new shackle instead of using the Spectra.  At 1830 we have a dinner, which will be nice because rice, beans and flat bread are getting a bit boring.

The next stop  is 76nm from here, which will take me 24 hours with the conditions we get. With everything working (I wish) I run the engine at revs that probably produces 12hp, maybe a touch less, so it's asking a lot to propel the boat at more than 2.5kts. I probably could go a bit faster but there's the consideration of fuel consumption and I do not want to put any undue strain on the engine, it's the only one I have.

Some sad but perhaps not entirely unexpected news. Steve Southwood (Dignity) died on August 14th after a long battle against lymphoma. His family were with him  when he peacefully slipped his moorings and quietly sailed away. A brave fight Steve, I'd like to think you're enjoying fair winds,  following seas and no more technical problems.

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