Never make plans!
Gaviota
Fri 10 Jan 2014 01:04
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05:39.6890N
80:50.8073W We left Isla del Rey on New Years Day and started
the trip to Ecuador, weather was hot and sunny but no wind, so engine on
and we relaxed and enjoyed the regular visits from dolphins - 2 extremely large
spotted dolphin played around the bow for about an hour. The wind picked
up in the night and sails went out and we flew along at up to 9 knots.
Next morning was cloudy and clouds continued building as well as seas, then it
started raining big style, so soaked and cold we forged on, there was a loud
crack - part of the rigging which holds the mast up had snapped sending the
lower front starboard shroud crashing to the deck - I knew it was bad when I saw
Syd clutching his bible - Nigel Calder's Boatowners Mechanical and Electrical
Manual! .... Decision time 200 miles out with 400 miles on to Ecuador and a
mast which may not make it. Turning back would mean a
2 day beat into short steep seas and winds against a current of 1 to 2
knots back to Panama City - a place where we know our way about and knew
boat parts can be got OR a 3 day sail hopefully into calmer seas and better
weather to Bahia de Caraquez Ecuador, a small place with no boat shops or
technical help. Panama City won, so we started the long beat
back.
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