Nightmare
'Sarf & West mate, Sarf & West'
Pete Bernfeld
Thu 29 Nov 2012 04:33
I'm safe and well. The boat, that's another matter.
Left Suva on Tue 20th. The boat had a couple of leaks but the new bilge pump coped OK. Only only one real leak (70 ltrs per hour) and a couple of 'weeps'). The option was not to leave and walk away from the boat. Customs refused any extension so I would have had to leave the harbour, make a 'pan pan' call and return. Then I would have had to hauled the boat out to convince customs of the seriousness of the situation. Can't, no more money! The only option was to go or lose the boat. Decision time outside the harbour...
21st light and vbl winds, covered 65nm Kept in contact with Calypso.
22nd day OK but in the evening mini-depression. Allowing for 'fear factor' five hours of 35-40kt winds and sheet lightning. Atlantic crew Smokey and Night 'Awk will remember it well. Inner gib blew out, bimini side screens destroyed. Somewhere along the line rope over the side and round the prop. 5 hours of running bare poles. You can tell it was bad, I was glad for the lightning so I could see the.swell!!!
23rd, tried to find Calypso. Could hear them but they couldn't hear me. Dived on the prop and cleared it. Set course for New Caledonia. The boat needs TLC, not to be had in Tanna.
Arrived New Cal; 28th, anchored overnight. Engine problem, couldn't get any revs. Drained fuel filter....nada.
29th. Reasonable sail to Noumea. Arriving at the anchorage engine problem again. Turns out to be snapped/stretched throttle cable. Not safe to anchor amongst the other boats with no real power and I can't get the remains of the gib down, so into the marina. Needed the work boat to help once I got inside and to add insult to injury I will have to leave in two days at the latest as the marina is fully booked for the cyclone season. I have to sit and wait for quarantine who may or may not show up. Can't leave the boat till 1645 and marine stores close around 1700.
This exhausts my patience (after 18 months I've had enough. The boat will have to be re-laminated, not a really big job but that means hailing out in Oz) and credit on the credit card. Anybody want to buy a boat, I've really really had enough. Shame, I enjoyed the sail when it wasn't blowing a hooley.
Like I said, I'm safe and well, although for a couple of hours!!!!!!!
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