(Blog 39) "Running down the Trades"
Catou
Paul and Sylvie Tucker
Thu 9 Dec 2010 14:22
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15:02.18N
43:28.58W
Thursday 9th December (Day 18)
Noon Position: 15 deg 02'N 43 deg
29'W
Daily
Run: 171' (a new
record)
Average Speed: 7.13 Knots
Total Average Speed:
Total Dist. covered:
Distance to go: 1018'
No. of motored hours:
ETA St. Lucia: @ 6.5 Knots Wedsday 15th @
2300hrs
@
6 Knots Thursday 16th @ 1300 hrs
@
5.5 Knots Friday 17th @ 0100hrs
"Running down the Trades" was the old term used by the
square riggers in olden days. We certainly are running them down
too. We have had strong winds for 4 days now (Usually force 5-6 Beaufort),
and there is no respite. We mustn't grumble though, since we are making
good speeds, and we may make St. Lucia in a week's time. We have 1000' to
go. There was a time, we all wondered, if we would ever see the distance
to go at 1000'. Anyway, it's a good 'landmark' for us all, and a boost to
moral.
Yesterday, We had a big nut-tightening session in the
aft locker again. With spanners and ratchets in hand, Ben (suitably lashed
on) was hanging over the stern as I had a spanner on the inside, and he
tightened up the nuts on the self-steering even more than we had the night
before. All looks good for now, but we will check on a regular basis from
now on.
Nothing else to report today. Sorry it's a bit
short. We are in heavy seas as I write with both sails reefed
down.
Best wishes
Paul , Sylvie and Ben
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