WHERE JEFF IS AT JAN 12TH LAT 45’9 S LONG 10’5 E
Total miles sailed so far: 9556 NM.
Total mile sailed the last three days: 353 NM.
Miles left to go to Cape Good Hope: 495 NM.
Top Speed so far: 12.3 knots
Miles left to go to Cape Good Hope: 495 NM.
Top Speed so far: 12.3 knots
THE REST OF THE STORY:
Day 70.
24 hr Run: 126 NM.
Position: Latitude 46*11’S. Longitude 001*50’E.
Weather: Wind 5-25 knots W.
Seas 8-12 ft.
Cabin Temp- 6*-51*.
Bar: 1005 mb
Bar: 1005 mb
Today is a very special day as we sail into the eastern hemisphere and tomorrow. I can actually look at my Zulu time clock and it is right on
I was awakened at 3 am to the sound of the main bomb starting to move around as the winds had died and there were still decent sized waves around. I wanted to drop the main out to save the weakened goose neck fitting on the boom.
I noticed as I moved forward along the deck, that the boom seemed to be twisting quite a bit.
I noticed as I moved forward along the deck, that the boom seemed to be twisting quite a bit.
Once at the mast it was obvious the fitting had partially broken and the boom was “done”.
DIAGRAM OF THE GOOSENECK THAT ATTACHES TO THE BOOM-MAST THAT HAS FAILED
A PICTURE OF THE MAIN SAIL,BOOM,GOOSENECK WHEN IT’S ALL TOGETHER
Fortunately, the conditions were mild, as I set about pulling the main down and off the boom. The work went slow as I had to be careful getting the bomb off and lashing on the cabin top.
I also had to sew on several new slides on the main to replace the once that had failed.
SLIDES THAT ARE USED ON THE MAIN SAIL THAT SLIDE ON THE TRACK UP THE MAST THAT HAVE BROKEN
Once that was completed I rigged up the free flying main with one reef in it and figured out how to hold it in place at the tack position and get the blocks so they would let the main sheet run clear of the butterfly hatch. The work all went well and the main actually does pretty good even going to weather like we had to on this day.
Now with the light air I decided to roll out the full Genoa and get the boat moving along once again. The Genoa rolls out and I see what appears to be a 5 inch rip in the sail. It’s now noon and I have been working nonstop for 9-hrs, and I’m shot, so I roll the Genoa back in.
Day-71
24 hr.Run: 65 NM.
Position: Latitude 46*21’S. Longitude: .003*00’E.
Weather: Wind-SE.7-8 knots
Seas: 4-6 ft.W
Cabin Temp.- 46*51*.
Bar: 1000 mb
Bar: 1000 mb
At 12 midnight I wake up and the sun is out and it seems like the wind is much lighter. I get up and go topside and roll the Genoa out, and inspect for rips, I now see four of them.
I drop the Genoa on deck and start patching it, discovering two more rips, a total of six patches I sewed on.
Now the winds have come up and I must get the Genoa below decks.
Once the sail is below decks 6-hours have passed and its 6 am almost time to start day 72.
Day-72
24 hr. Run: 172 NM.
Position 45*57’S. Longitude .006*39’E.
Now that I have the chance I spend another 5-hrs fixing the 5 mm luff line that holds the sail to the aluminum extrusion.
After a total of 11 hrs strait the Genoa is ready to go back up when the weather will allow it.
Right now the biggest storm I have seen since being down here is coming into my area, arriving tomorrow. It is packing 50 knot sustained winds gusting 65 knot with 35 ft seas.
Now I have known it was coming and have moved north hoping to avoid the brunt of it. It looks like I will see 30 knot sustained gusting higher with 18 ft seas.
So once again we batten down the hatches and “hang on”.
BIG WAVES ARRIVING FOR SAILORS RUN AND THE CAPTAIN
It is 2 am in deteriorating weather, and I decide the main must come down.
I discover the double main sheet block on the traveler is failing. I tug the main down and lash it on the cabin top.
Now sailing with stay sail alone things seem much more comfortable and still doing in excess of 6-knots
THE STAY SAIL IS THE SAIL CLOSER TO US IN THE PICTURE AND THE GENOA IN THE FRONT THAT HAS LOTS OF RIPS
“Three wheels on my wagon and I’m still sailing along”, with a storm after me, I’m a singing my happy song. “Holy Shit”!
Hanging in there! The Jefe’
PS. Just a point of information:
I believe that I will sail approximately 23,000 miles on this voyage around the world, so just know I’m looking way forward to 11,500 and the Half Way point mileage wise.