How fast is a Moose

Rik
Thu 23 Nov 2023 20:36
12:09.147N 37:43.497W

Our average speed for the 5,567 nautical miles since leaving Poole in May is 6.4 knots. However a significant part of that was motoring, if it wasn’t windy enough or the wind was in the wrong direction then we simply motored, or if the direction was good but not strong enough then we motor-sailed.

Mindelo to St George’s is about 2,200 nautical miles and we have fuel for 1,000 at best, plus we need at least 15% of that for the generator, so motoring is not really an option for any significant distance. We will also get penalised for motoring in the race (it’s not a race it’s a rally)?

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The information the B&G nav gear gives us is incredible.

So now we start to find out what kind of speed we can maintain under sail; our average speed yesterday was ok at 6.1, the day before was low at 5.4, today so far it’s a cracking 6.4, which all adds up to an average from the start line of 5.8 knots. Now one could start working out how long the remaining 1450 miles will take but that assumes we will carry on at the same speed and go in a straight line to Grenada, highly unlikely, plus it’s much to early to be making estimates and it will only lead to disappointment!!

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Our land based weather router, Simon Rowell has now returned for tiring out his young Labradors in the Welsh hills and is back on the case. He has advised us to sail below 12 degrees north as the wind above that latitude is “flakey” so that’s where we are heading, this will bring a slight increased risk of squalls so we will be on the lookout !

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Collateral damage from the crash gybe on the first day, this stanchion used to be vertical !!  

Yesterday afternoon the whole 240 volt system tripped out, a quick reset of the breaker and 240v was restored. However 20 minutes later it had tripped again. The finger was firmly pointed at the icemaker as he had “previous”, he had also just been asked to make some more ice after days of just keeping the bread frozen! A quick defrost of the ice-maker and no more tripping, well at least for now.

Oh and we lost two more fish! Tonight we are having frozen fish from a supermarket in Las Palmas, doesn’t seem right does it.