Completing week one
Alize
Mike Somerville
Tue 4 Dec 2012 18:05
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18:39.3N 34:26.2W
We have just completed our first week on board. The
winds have been superb, always from astern or from the port or starboard aft
quarter; Alize has delighted in planing with complete stability down
the building Atlantic swell driven by winds of some 25knots plus, making over 10
knots frequently and a record 17.7 knots. We have run a distance of 1236nm,
a average daily run of 176miles. We are told we are 4th in our class, but
strategically we have taken a different route to many in the fleet - going
deeper south and away from the direct route in search of better winds
later on. We have about 1600nm to go.
Today the winds have moderated to around 20-24 knots,
the sea is tad calmer and jobs around the boat more manageable. The next
few days are forecast to bring a further lightening in conditions. We will use
the time to catch up on chores, washing, boat cleaning, checking the condition
of remaining vegetables and other stores.We are into the 'last of' days with
vegetables, yesterday it was the last of the pears, today the
courgettes. The tomatoes, onions, potatoes are mostly surviving
well.
Two important fixes completed today. The really
important one was the autopilot which had started to make a lot of worrying
knocking noises. We handsteered all last night to give it a rest and avoid
further damage. This morning we cleared the aft locker to gain access,
dismantled to the bulkhead mounting for the drive assembly, found that the
articulating connection of the main drive had unbelievably been bodged with a
bolt in place of the correct connection pin, leading to excessive wear
caused by the bolt's thread. We found just one possible replacement pin on
board, a 12mm diameter extention from the socket set. This was fitted by Mike L
and works brilliantly. A big win, as the alternative would be 1600 miles of
handsteering. Our second repair, much to Barbara's delight, is that we also
fixed her electric toothbrush.
As we write this Tim is preparing the
breadmaker for our daily loaf and the rest of us are
enjoying fine conditions on deck and looking out for the next flying fish
to land on the boat. Our best conditions yet.
Mike, Tim, Barbara & Mike |