SAILORS RUN,JEFF SAILING BELOW AUSTRALIA, THEY ARE RIGHT WHERE THE “I” IS OF THE WORD ‘BIGHT”
Total miles sailed so far=14,973 NM.
Miles sailed last 3-days=414 NM.
Miles left to go to East Cape, Tasmania=1000 NM.
Top speed so far=14.1kts.
THE REST OF THE STORY:
DAY 109.
24hr.Run=127NM. Pos. Lat.46*01’S. Long.118*40’E. Weather=Wind=7-25kts. Seas=8-12ft. Cabin Temp=55*-57*. Bar=1012mb
Just wanted to mention Cape Leeuwin is the south western most point of Australia, and it is named after the Dutch ship Leeuwin (Lioness)that charted much of the west coast back in 1722. The ship is believed to be the first ship to ever visit there.
Many things seem to be happening today, first the light in the galley mysteriously turns on by itself, and it is a new Led light. Upon closer examination it is obvious that salt water is getting into the fixture and is creating a path for current to flow.
While unscrewing the fixture Sailors Run is slammed by a large wave and I get tossed across the galley, and slammed into the door frame, with my right shoulder blade and head taking most of the impact. My stocking hat goes flying along with the battery light I had strapped on my head. I see stars for a minute then regain my senses. After a few choice words, I realize although nothing is broken I still feel a serious pain in my shoulder and have a pretty good naught on my head. Serious personal injury is very high on the not to do list for solo sailors.
Soon it began raining hard outside and I went topside to collect some much needed water. I got about 10-gallons before the rain stopped. While crawling around on deck I noticed a screw in the Genoa track was pulled up, meaning the track was coming up while sailing with the genoa, not a good sign.
As it turns out the loose track was the source of the leak that was messing with the light in the galley, and this problem was actually created by me 11-years ago.
PICTURE OF JEFF AFTER HE REMOVED THE TEAK DECKS ON SAILORS RUN IN AUSTRALIA
See in 2004 in Australia I removed the teak decks on Sailors Run, and when I put the track back down where the genoa block goes there were two bolts that went through the deck, and the nuts on those bolts were under the piece of wood that the light in the galley was screwed to. Apparently, when I caulked those bolts in I never pulled that light down to put the washer and nuts on so for the past 11 years the lag screws in the deck carried the load, but were finally failing. Lucky for me I found it before the track was broken.
The next thing that happened was the coffee pot was launched off the stove by a wave and spilled water and coffee grounds all over the galley, this is the second time this trip this has happened. Fortunately, the stove had not been lit as yet so the water was not hot, and I hadn’t gotten the bungee cord on the pot. Now when I finally do get the coffee going the second propane tank goes empty on me so number three and my last propane tank is hooked up. Now I’m hoping this one can get me home.
The winds have gone light so I roll out Patches, only to discover another rip in the sail, so I immediately roll it back up. I would have pulled it off but feel my shoulder needs a day of rest before further abusing it.
Later in the day I hang over the stern tying new stopper knots on the servo rudder of wind vane, just a precaution so the old knots cannot fail.
DAY 110
24hr.Run=148N.Pos, Lat. 46*07’S Long.121*58’E. Weather=Wind=20-25kts WSW. Seas=8-12ft.Cabin Temp.=51*-56*. Bar=1012mb
Today cleaned ground connections on SSB radio for better performance and installed additional heavy copper ground lead from batteries to the engine, as it seemed the engine was having trouble cranking over. The additional lead solved the problem and the engine fired right up for its by-weekly 15- minute oil circulating and dry out run in neutral.
DAY 111
24 hr.Run=139NM. Pos.Lat.44*45’S Long.124*21’E. Weather=Wind=20-25W .Seas=W. 8-12ft. Cabin Temp.=55*59*. Bar=1000mb
Today winds are 20-25 knots and we are getting some warmer air possibly off of the great Australian desert. I like the warmer temperatures but my eggs don’t, as now it sees every other one must be tossed. I don’t eat them if they are cloudy or smell too bad. They can stink a little bit.
My variety of foods is dwindling, not to mention cookies. I got a shower today and that goes a long way in propping up one’s spirits.
Doing the “Coffee Ground Shuffle” in the galley, the Jefe’.
WINDS THAT JEFF & SAILORS RUN ARE HAVING ON BOTTOM LEFT HAND CORNER AT 45′ & 130′ BELOW AUSTRALIA