Skippers log #32
46 01s 120 34e at 12:30 GMT 2800 miles to Aukland
This morning I got a message from race control to standby in case I need to divert to Minoru Saito. His EBIRB had been activated, and they were trying to raise him. I am the nearest vessel to him. I plotted his position, worked out a course if I had to divert, looked at predicted weather and calculated that it would take 20 hours to get to his position. Then a message came back stating it was a false alarm. His ebirb had become loose in its bracket & had gotten wet, hence it was activated. Today I made 189 miles progress towards Tasmania. Because my transom (stern) is so narrow as a result of lengthening the boat, my vessel is not as directionally stable as the beamy 50 & 60 footers. Steering downwind is like following a meandering stream. I do not have a quadrant below deck, so I cannot fit a big autopilot which could steer in following seas. This race has been a steep learning curve for the next time round in a new 60 footer. I wish I was in one already.
***********************************
Skippers log #33
46 42s 124 32e at 13:30 GMT
Today I logged off the Indian Ocean satellite and logged onto the Pacific Ocean Region. The Indian Ocean is astern, at last, as we have crossed another sea. Tasmania is 960 miles away, the second last turn towards Aukland. After a canned curry meal, not as good as Gwen's, I placed a call via Alan Vandall to St. John's Rotary Club. Every Wednesday morning my Rotary group meets for breakfast. Instead of being with them in spirit, as I do each Wednesday, today I was with them verbally as I spoke to the group through our club President, answering questions. I look forward to our breakfast meetings when I get back in May. In Auckland I plan to visit several Rotary Clubs as an ambassador of our club. Tonight the winds have been fickle. I went south looking for a breeze, then gybed to head east, and now north of east, with some light winds pushing us along. It was relatively warm here today, and my feet stayed warm and dry.
***********************************
Skippers log #34
46 22s 127 36e at 14:15z
It has been an eventful day. With not much wind this morning, I did maintenance jobs, such as cutting and burning the ends of frayed lines, and replacing a spinnaker haylard. Then I fixed one of Gwen's curries for lunch. This brought on some tiredness. So, I took a nap with the winds being light, only to wake to find water above the floorboards. Instinctively I went and shut all the through hull fittings, as I was not making any speed enough to hit something that could punch a hole. When I got to the galley skin fitting, I saw a break in the pipe coming off it. With the valve shut, I began to pump out the water, but not till it had sloshed around getting into many compartments in the saloon. So I have wet feet, socks and boots again, and no heater to get things dry. I am taking to heating my socks over the gas burner to get them dry, and onto my feet to get this Trench Foot under control. Diane is taking a few days off from tomorrow. If you do not get your daily e-mail contact NealPetersen@compuserve.com as Gwen is sending it out and the databases might not be the same.
***********************************
Skippers log #35
It is just after sunset as we beat into a northeasterly that is threatening to go to gale force later tonight. I hope that this will be the last gale in the Southern Ocean for now. Last night we had light airs, and drifted a lot. Now it looks like I am to get my brains bashed around a bit. I guess this is what I get for being down here. I have closed the gap a bit on Minuro. He is now 80 miles ahead, but with the winds freshening, I might lose ground again. Soon we will be in Captain James Cook's territory, and will also remember Captain Blyth. Many old sailing ships have crossed these waters through history, and sailing here reminds me of our past, and when sailors did not have modern gear of today. This is progress. I am reefed down and have rolled away some headsail. Each time I use my new Anderson winches, I wish that I had them since the time I built this boat. They make my tasks so much easier in these freshening conditions. The Profurl makes my life so much safer too.
