Daily Update 29 April 2009 - flying start

Questionable Logic
Ewan Briggs
Thu 30 Apr 2009 17:58
Position at 1600 GMT-5: 6 38.9N 79 43.3W
 
We've had a good start - nice downwind sailing from Flamenco where we filled up with diesel (and got 'inspected' by a number of 'officials' each charging about $20 for their inspections). Everyone has now been introduced to the fun of sailing Logic with the large symmetrical Childs Charity spinnaker (the kiddies kite). We were mostly getting about 8-9kts out of the boat. (The log has been recalibrated, and whilst no longer wildly pessimistic, is perhaps a little optimistic so might need a bit of finer adjustment!).
 
We were visited by a pod of about 15 dolphins during the night which was an amazing sight in all the phosphorescence.
 
Wenesday started well with about 15kts of wind behind us. But then dropped early afternoon to nothing, and then picked up again to about 10kts just off the nose.
 
We've got the duogen working with the new bearings, seals and rectifiers (and linked up to the new regulator) which all seems to be working well, and now that we've got the invertor working again we're able to work on the laptop.
 
158nm in the first 24 hours.
 
Currently motorsailing at about 6kts and about 100miles from Isla Mapelo (11.50 GMT-5 30/04).
 
No fish yet, but we think we've figured out how to use Tuck's new rod and reel (although I suspect as and when we catch anything we might have a thing or two to learn still!).
 
Super hot and sunny yesterday, but cloudy today with some light rain. Loads of lightning over the last two nights, but all safely distant.