Friday June 18th
Vaquero
Fri 18 Jun 2010 12:31
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My position at 1200UTC Friday 18th June is 40
38.7N 41 01.2W
I managed to get up the mast yesterday to look at
the lower shroud attachment point (not a fun experience in the swell!) and it
seems that the bolt holding the shroud plates has moved downwards -
more on the starboard side than the other because it is no longer at right
angles to the mast wall. Whether it has moved in the mast or bent out of
shape is impossible to tell without taking it apart and making a further
inspection, and it is also impossible to say whether it has been like that for a
long time or just recently happened. The slackness in the lowers would
indicate the latter. In heavy weather to windward, the mast was pumping
excessively, at times inverting slightly on the reverse cycle, with the forward
lowers alternatively loosening completely slack and then snapping tight
again. Despite having retensioned them, they are still excessively slack
in even a moderate breeze as the mast moves. The mast foot sits in a
stainless steel fabricated shoe, essentially a plate with an upstand welded to
it, and I now see that the welding between plate and upstand is cracked loose on
both sides, probably caused by the excessive movement.
So I have decided to retire and make for the Azores
so that I can examine it all a bit more thoroughly whilst in a marina berth and
decide on the best course of action. Hopefully if I avoid any excessive
beating to windward it should all hold together, and generally the course for
home should be mostly downwind. I should be there in about five or
six days.
Which is all rather disappointing to say the least,
having got so far across towards Newport. But thank you all for your
magnificent support which has been absolutely fantastic and much
appreciated. I'll keep posting my progress every day so you can see what's
happening.
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