Great Spinnaker hoist, then setback

Wishanger2
Brian Bonniwell and Claudine
Tue 2 Jun 2009 08:48
46:30.30N 6:32.58W
 
Monday, 1st June.
 
250 miles covered so far at an average of 5.81kts.
Early morning passed 2 French navy ships refueling at sea. Not surprisingly they refused to throw us a hose! Calm and settled conditions all day with wind about 10Kn from NE. Raised spinnaker - last used in 2005! Perfect hoist and still flying tonight - but, for a reason. Late afternoon just as Brian was preparing dinner a clatter on deck revealed that the goose neck fitting had come apart leaving the boom dangerously close to crashing to deck. Have managed to stabilise the sittuation with much inginuity and numerous suggestions from crew -Rob was man of the match! Incident got Brian out of cooking the meal - Steve/ Richard standing in and producing a great sausage dish.
The makeshift repair to the goose neck means that we will not be using the mainsail so are proceeding under Spinnaker alone.  Luckily the weather is forecast to be settled for the next few days.  We hope to make Bayona/ Vigo for repairs.
 
Eta Lisbon now 1530 6 June plus time for repairs.
 
 Hope all our readers are well.
 
 
Brian, Steve, John, Rob and Richard
SY Wishanger II
 
 

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