05:25:2S 124:08:1W

 

Wednesday 29th April 2015

 

We’ve Got the Wind!

After a couple of quieter days we have a good sailing breeze again today, 16-20 knots. We are surging along on a beam reach at seven to eight knots – an exhilarating speed.

During the night, we had a succession of squalls, so much so that both David and Ken were in full wet weather gear.

 

Time – Another Hour Slips Away

Having passed the 120 degrees of Longitude, our time has gone back yet another hour to keep pace with the sun. We are now ten hours behind UK.

 

Yet Another Mechanical Casualty

Having decided it was long enough without trying the engine, I also wanted to check, gear box and engine oil levels, as it was a calmish day, I asked for the engine to be started. Unfortunately, the Morse Engine Controller, which has always been a little stiff, finally broke and the internal cog mechanism split. We have cobbled together a temporary fix using a pair of mole grips to change gear inside the throttle control housing, not easy or quick. We will have a go at making a better fix when anchored in Hiva Oa. I hope we can locate a suitable replacement, somewhere in the UK as this fix is not reliable and will let in water if the cockpit fills. We have a new crew member, Simon Melizan joining us in Fiji, if located in time, he may be able to bring it out.

 

Miles travelled in the last 24hrs: 146 miles