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0 AROUND ALONE DAYS 46,47,48

Around Alone Days-46-47-48

Total miles sailed so far=6327 NM
Distance left to go to Horn=13 NM.
Distance sailed last three days=330 NM.
Top speed so far on trip=12.2kts.

THE REST OF THE STORY:

Day 46 24hr.Run=120NM
Position- Latitude-54*25 S Longitude-81*14’W
Weather: Wind: 10-15kts.ESE.
Seas=2-4ft.
Cabin Temp=44*-47*.
Bar=1000mb

Still beating to weather to get to the Horn and can only steer within 30 degrees of course line on the good tack.

Today is a milestone for me, as back in 2009 after 45-days, I arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina after sailing from Lima Peru around the Horn Solo. I arrived at 1am in the morning and it was blowing a gale, I had broken my hand, and was to sail into the Marina through a very narrow gated entrance. All and All I was pretty much a basket case for many reasons, but I have to admit today on this Voyage a much larger one by about 4 -times I feel good.

Jeff in Buenos Aires,Argentina with Puerto Madero marina in the background

Sailors Run at Puerto Madero Marina in Argentina

Once I get past the Horn it will be a relief for me, as I can move a little further north where the temperature should warm up about 5-degrees.

Day-47 24hr. Run=114NM.
Position-Latitude- 50*33’S. Longitude- 81*14’W
Weather: Wind=3-15kts.
Seas=2ft.
Cabin Temp=44*-47*.
Bar=1004mb.

Land Ho,as now I can see the snow capped mountains of Chile. I have been forced North of the Horn, and now must tack along the coast to get to the Horn, this means less sleep and a much more intense watch system.

Chilean mountains as Jeff sails by Cape Horn

There is a low coming in to the south of me and by Day 49 we should have 30kts of favorable Breeze to sail past the Horn. The weather has been pretty much out of the norm with much calmer conditions than normal.

I had a problem with the way the wind vane was steering and determined the gears were meshing to loosely and causing it to be less responsive. Working on a wind vane at sea is not a good idea especially if you have to pull a shaft out, because there are lots of little roller bearings that can disappear on you. So to get the slop out of the gear on top of the servo rudder I cut a very large 2.5 inch washer in half with my Makita cutting wheel, then slipped both halves of the stainless steel washer under the gear, getting rid of the slop, then I took a hose clamp and secured the two halves in place and it works perfect. “Fixed”.

Day-48 24hr. Run=96NM.
Position- Latitude-55*59’S Longitude-67*44’W
Weather: Wind SE shifting N 0-20kts.
Seas=2-4ft.
Cabin Temp=44*-55*
Bar=1010 mb

This morning while tacking along the coast a very large Blue Whale surfaced and blew alongside Sailors Run, they tend to make your boat feel very small.

Some people have asked what I eat out here. Well it goes like this:
BREAKFAST is either: One egg, fried potatoes and onions+ 2-coffee or the coffee’s and one bowl of Special-K cereal with Granola mixed in, or the coffee’s with oatmeal and raisins.
LUNCH is just a snack and one adult beverage. The snack is usually a small package of crackers and a couple of slices of cheese.
DINNER is early about 4pm and has been stir fried cabbage and onions, with either a hamburger paddy, or chicken breast, or a filet of fish. This is all cooked in one small fry pan.

Now my diet is about to change as I only have 4-dinners left in the freezer. So soon it will be canned tuna canned veggies and canned soups and stews, unless I catch another fish.
I still have about 15-apples, onions, and potatoes, along with the two large squash that are stashed in next to the baseball bat, and I also have a cup of tea about 7-pm with a small package of cookies and read a book. I don’t think I have gained or lost weight so far, but expect to, before it is all over I will lose some. I’m just eating my way around the world.

Later in the afternoon I had a pod of very large dolphins with white bellies doing amazing jumps and flips out of the water, just off my bow.

Seeing those pod of dolphins is so exciting you never get tired of seeing them

It was some time later I noticed a fish jumping, but under closer observation, it turned out to be a “PENGUIN”. He hung around the boat for about an hour. I tried feeding him crackers but he was not at all impressed.

My Penguin or a picture of the Magellani Penguin around cape horn

Your Amigo the Jefe’

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS 43,44,45

Spinnaker sailing as a ship crosses Sailors Run bow

The ship got close as it turned towards us crossing port to port Notice the sailboat in front of the ship,the boat was actually on the other side of the ship

THE REST OF THE STORY:

Total miles sailed so far=5997 NM
Total miles sailed last three days=303 NM.
Miles left to go to the Horn=247 NM.
Top speed so far 12.2kts.

Day-43 24hr.Run=136 NM.
Position-55*26’S Longitude-77*57’W.
Weather: Wind=10-15 kts.SW.
Waves: 6-8ft.
Cabin Temp: 43-46*
Bar=990mb

The day started out nice, so it was time to try fishing once again.

It had become obvious that the water-maker is having trouble starting and I suspected a bad electrical connection. It was time to water the wet cell batteries anyhow, as I do that every two months. I emptied all the “stuff” out of the outside compartment to gain access to the water-maker, and of course had to empty out the quarter berth to gain access to the batteries.

Now it is simple to run two new wires from the water maker directly two the batteries. I touched the new wires directly on to the batteries full well expecting to hear the water-maker come to life,” WRONG”, the large electric motor will not go. It’s amazing how these things unfold as today is a great sailing day but I must reduce sail so I can pull the water-maker out, and tear into the electrical motor.

I lay out rags all over the galley floor and there beside me, the water-maker, and my tools all sliding around together I tear into it. This electric motor is a wet one meaning heavy oil inside of it,” A MESS”!!

The armature shows lots of wear from the past 14-years of making water, so I clean it up the best I can with a scotch pad, and the brushes still appear ok.
Seven hours later the water-maker is reinstalled and now it’s time for the smoke Yes you guessed it,the FxxKxxG thing does not work

So now I’m inquiring about “dry Martini “recipes and a way to cook rice without water. Possibly it is time to add 15% salt water to my remaining 80 gallons of fresh water to extend its “life”.

I just can’t help but wonder just how much fresh water I might be able to salvage out of those two big squash’s I have if I just beat the “shit” out of them with a baseball bat!!!

OK-OK I will catch water on deck, and Yes luckily I do have a Hand Operated Water-Maker in my ditch bag, but it is very small and very labor intensive.

Day-44 24hr. run= 96NM.
Position- Latitude-56*17’S Longitude-75*57’W.
Weather: Wind7-15 kts. SSW.
Waves: 4-6ft.SW.
Cabin Temp.43-50*
Bar=998mb

Wind has gone light 7-12kts. But there are still occasional squalls, so spinnaker remains below, “for now”!
It is frustrating being so close to the Horn and now just “creeping along”.
Debbie is doing great in Albuquerque, decorating the house inside an out with Christmas lights and many other decorations. Debbie says they actually got a blanket of snow the other night, so that’s pretty cool and she is all excited about cheering her Seattle SeaHawks on.

Day-45 24Hr. Run=71 NM.
Position=Latitude 56*17′. Longitude 7*33’W
Weather: Wind 0-12kts.W.
Seas=2-4ft.SW.
Cabin Temp.=44*-51*
Bar=996 mb

This am the Spinnaker went up as the weather here looks very benign and was the first day I nearly spent all day out in the cockpit. I Sailed for 10 hrs under spinnaker then at 6pm the wind just died and the ocean glassed off.

It was 2:30AM before the wind came back and now it is pretty much on the nose, so currently pounding to weather trying to get to the “Horn”.

Singing “How Dry I am” How Dry I am” ‘Nobody knows How Dry I Am”

Your Amigo the Jefe’

Jeff & I enjoying the evening in our cockpit

Bet Jeff right now would like to be enjoying the wonderful warm weather on the beach again?

0 AROUND THE WORLD DAYS 40,41,42

Around the world days 40,41,42

Total Mileage so Far=5694NM.
Total miles last 3-days=423 NM.
Miles to go to the Horn=501NM.
Top speed so far=12.2kts.

THE REST OF THE STORY:

Day-40: 24hr.Run=127 NM.

Position: Latitude 53*52’S. Longitude 89*1’W

Weather: Wind=8-20kts.SW

Seas: 8-12ft.SW.

Cabin Temp=45-51*.
Bar.1004 mb

The weather looks good for next three days, but down here don’t trust it!

I tried fishing but the birds were all over my lure, I pulled it in rather than catching one. The Albatross and Terns are fun to watch as they glide over the large waves, with little effort. I was putting the cover on the Mizzen and a Sea Tern flew up and hovered about three feet from my face and watched me as he exhibited no fear.
The other thing about catching a fish is trying to filet him as you both slide around the cockpit with a very sharp knife in your hand. The Tuna in the can is looking better all the time.

Day-41: 24hr.Run=154 NM.

Position: Latitude- 54*30’S. Longitude- 85*05’W.

Weather: Wind SW. 30-45+kts.

Seas=15-30ft.

Cabin Temp=42-44*
Bar=992mb

Fishing again this am while the barometer plummets and it is very cold at 42*.
When I was here 6-years ago the coldest temperature I recorded was 45- degrees. I also had hail in the cockpit in the am and it was snowing an icy Snow when I was on deck making sail changes. Now with “Global Warming and El Nino” what is going on????

Another interesting phenomenon is the cooking oil I bought in Ecuador now has jelled out and you must shake it out of the bottle like ketchup. Possibly I just need to add 15% antifreeze to remedy the situation and it no doubt would help reduce cloistral build up.

One of my greatest fears is becoming injured or ill while far out to sea, I must admit the heavy clothing I must wear adds protection for those short flights across the cabin by Rogue waves.

Today I took a knife and went to free a beer from a plastic wrapped, 6-pack in the beer locker, when suddenly Sailors Run dropped off a wave causing me to slash a 5 inch gash in the side of a beer that I will never get to drink, and I got a shower all at the same time. Now the boat smells like one of those Pubs I use to frequent.

A gale blew up about 4pm and the seas began to build. The wind vane was steering and I was below when suddenly the boat turned up towards the wind and was laying abeam to some very large waves. I dashed into the cockpit just wearing my jacket and notice the steering line to the wind-vane had come off the drum at the wheel. I disengaged the wind vane and spun the wheel to steer downwind putting these monster waves on our stern, then locked in the electric auto pilot to steer the safer course, while I figured how to remedy the line coming off the drum.

The Gale was bad as there were many powerful squalls within it pushing the winds near 50-kts at times, and some of the waves appeared to be a good 30 feet high. I decided to stay on the electric auto Pilot overnight hoping to get some sleep. The night went ok but at 6-am we were hit by a large rogue wave coming in on our beam. I had just set down in my berth with a cup of coffee and had one foot on the seating around the table and one on the table. The next thing I know I’m standing straight up and things are flying everywhere. I could see the port side windows down by my feet awash, and then Sailors Run righted herself, just as quickly as she had been knocked down. I figure we went over no more than 90* and doubt the mast went in the water, but it was pretty unnerving and unexpected, Now I had a huge mess to clean up and one drawer that had flown out had cracked the wood on the face of it, some water came below through the main hatch but it was minimal.

The outlook is for the weather to calm down over the next 24hrs.”Hope so”.

Day-42 24hr.Run=142 NM.

Pos. Latitude 54*25’S. Longitude 81*14’W

Weather: Wind=10-15 Kts from S.

Seas: 6-8ft.SW.

Cabin Temp=73*-76*.
Bar=990mb

I remedied the drum problem at the wheel by using smaller line at that location and it seems to be working. I hoisted the reefed staysail and rolled the Genoa all the way in until weather conditions improve. I got the hose back on the exhaust to keep waves out and did a temporary fix on mizzen goose-neck.

It is still snowing a sort of sleet in the squalls and I will just be glad to finally reach the Horn and be able to get a little bit north and out of this coldest of cold conditions. It is nice to get the Horn out of the way early.

Hanging in there the Jefe’

A picture showing how many friends we have to get on the bow of the boat having a great time

Jeff and batteries area keeping them watered

This is Iguazu Falls in Argentina,but to show you how rough the waves he is going thru looks like

This is how jeff stays in shape for this trip he is enduring,

Jeff on boat concentrating about what to do next when things start happening

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS-37,38,39

Day-37: 24hr Run=142 NM.

Position: Latitude- 48*38’S. Longitude- 98*17’W

Weather: Wind-W at 15-25 kts

Seas: 8-12ft.

Cabin Temp=53*-56*
Bar: 1016mb

Day 38: 24hr Run 158NM

Position: Latitude-51*26’S. Longitude- 95*28;W.

Weather: Wind W at 25-30kts.

Seas: 10-14 ft.

Cabin Temp=51*-55*
Bar=1016mb

Day 39: 24hr.Run=154 NM.

Position:Latitude 53*03’S Longitude- 92*19’W.

Weather: Wind SW at 20-25 kts.

Seas 8-12ft. SW

Cabin temp: 51-53*
Bar=1015mb

Total distance sailed so far=5271 NM.
Distance sailed lat 3-days=448 NM.
Distance left to go to Horn=891 NM.
Top speed so far=12.2 kts. New High

THE REST OF THE STORY:

Day-37
I took the mizzen down overnight and this morning just sailing with double reefed Main and 1/3rd. of Genoa. It’s gusting over 25 kts I’m cold and down here anything warm to eat or drink helps raise the core temperature.

You have to give me some slack on typos, as most the time it is like trying to type on a trampoline, with a couple of people jumping on it.

Getting rest and sleeping is very difficult down here, because as you lay in your bunk you here about 15 different noises, like the cans shifting in the bilge, the water rushing by the hull, the block that pops on deck if the Genoa gets a little slack, the fire extinguisher that lets you know it’s there by banging on the cabinet it is hanging in, and it goes on and on. Once you have decided there is no new noise that might mean springing into action, you now tune all the above out and concentrate on your equilibrium and pressure placed on different parts of your body.
Once you have this down you can fall asleep as if the pressure anywhere on your body changes or your equilibrium picks up on a different motion you will wake up.

I have come to realize the tequila bottle is also a good clock as when it gets lukewarm, it is time to get up. The safest and warmest and my favorite place on the boat is in “Bed”.

Day-38

That low pressure that is coming back to take another shot at us is staying to the south and moving through below us and, we will only see 25-30 kts, but there is a severe weather warning associated with it for 40 kts gusting 50-60 kts and severe seas, which I hope not to experience.

The Horn looks to be about 1-week out, and if we are lucky we will arrive right behind a big low. The problem is we must get so far south that we will have to weather the low if it comes, but better before the Horn than at the Horn.

The gap between the tip of South America and Antarctica is just over 300 miles wide, creating a narrow area where these lows tend to pass through , and there is a shelf that extends out sixty miles off of the tip of South America that might want to be avoided in Severe weather.

Today I did two small loads of laundry, getting most of the water blown out of it before bringing it inside to finish drying. It takes days to dry at 51*.

Day-39

Sailors Run was driven hard before the wind with the mizzen back up, so during increasing winds this am I dropped the mizzen down. It was then that I noticed one of the small nylon socket pieces had disappeared and the boom at the gooseneck had come out of its socket.
Now I must manufacture another one or improvise, I have an Idea about using some hose material to pick up the slop between the bottom and the top of the boom jaws. I have a French rig and it is very different from most goosenecks on the mizzen. I had rebuilt the main goose neck less than a year ago and it appears now I should have done this one as well.

I also noticed that the 7-8 inch piece of 3 inch diameter fire hose that I had clamped on the main engine exhaust has been washed away by a large wave. I had hat there to discourage large waves from forcing water into the exhaust system. I will replace it but it means hanging by your toes over the stern of the boat and working in Icy cold water. “YUK”

I don’t remember mentioning that during that 50 kts in the low about a week ago my Windex wind direction indicator blew off the top of the mast, so now it is much harder to see the wind at night as I use to get a visual on that, from inside the boat with the try color illuminating it. Now we are back to “tell tales” on the stainless steel rigging.

The Jefe’ “Hauling Ass” for the “Horn”

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS-34.35.36

Around Alone Update:

Total miles sailed so far=4817 NM.
Miles sailed last 3-days=454NM.
Distance left to go to Horn=1327 NM
Top Speed so far=10.9kts a new high

THE REST OF THE STORY:

Day 34- 24hr.Run=151 NM.
Position: Latitude-45*21S. Longitude-106*28’W
Weather:Wind-15-35 kts.North West
Waves-10-15 feet
Cabin Temp=57*-60*.
Bar=999mb

I awoke this morning to the sound of water rushing alongside the hull, the boat was gyrating a lot as it was skipping up and over the waves that had grown overnight. A quick glance at the Barometer showed a substantial drop in pressure.
It appears that the low that passed over us two days ago was coming back for a second go at us, but this time it should be with a more favorable wind direction, helping drive us to the Horn. “Hang On”.

It seems very cool this AM as I put the coffee on a much needed “warm up”. What the “hell” the damn thing won’t light. I go out into the all to brisk 25-kts and hoist the tank “Huh” it has gas in it. Back down below I pull the fuse on the solenoid switch and it appears fine. Oh well its early perhaps I should try lighting it again, and I try to no avail, except I do smell gas, so shut of solenoid valve at the tank.

I rock the stove forward on its gimbals and inspect the gas line coming into the stove; oh!! my God the copper line that connects to the flexible hose has broken off. So when I turned on the gas it was flowing into the galley not into the burner on the stove. So I was just trying to light the wrong thing as if I would have lowered the lighter I surely would have been able to get things warmed up, now if that isn’t a near “Blast” I don’t know what is.
Bottom line after going out two times and reefing the main, finally taking it all the way down I get the stove fixed by using my Makita cutting blade, cutting off the copper pipe and slipping a piece of rubber gas line that I had onto the copper pipes and using sealant and hose clamps I now have a stove once more. A jury rig for sure but safe enough to get us home on.

I finally get coffee at 11am and breakfast by noon, plus I have a day’s work in.

Day 35-24Hr Run-149 NM
Position=Latitude-46*10’S. Longitude-103*28’W
Weather-Wind=15-35kts.SW.
Waves-8-13 feet South West
Cabin Temp=51*60*. Mostly sunny with one particularly nasty squall at 3am 35-40kts.
Bar=989 mb

Today the waves have come down a little and the ride has improved. The barometer has also fallen more.

It is interesting as I plot our course and progress on my old paper chart I see that we are on the same track for the run into the Horn, as the Vendee Globe Boats were in their solo around the world race back in 2008-09. We are right behind where Foncia was on 1/1/09, and just ahead of the boat Roxy’s position.

Last night I threw the heavy llama hair blanket; on my berth as it feels like it is freezing at night, of course not really, it just feels that way.

Debbie bought that blanket in Peru, and it is a life saver, especially when you throw that 1.75 liter of tequila bottle in there with you, to get things all warmed up.

Day 36-24hr Run-154 NM.
Position-Latitude-48*00’S Longitude-100*48’W.
Weather: 18-30 kts South West

Today finds us pretty much on course for the run into the “Horn” with over 1400 NM to go as it will be a long wild “Roller Coaster” ride.

I hope because I’m nearly a month ahead of the time when I rounded the Horn last time, I can make it before the first big summer storm. Down here they have the worst storms in the summer and I need to try and steer clear of those no matter what ocean I’m in.

The approach to the Horn from off shore is a big long commitment with 8-10 days being spent below 46*S, and each day the air and water temperature drops, then add 90% humidity and a chill factory created by 300-gales a year at the Horn, you got to figure out some way to keep from freezing that big set of “Balls” off that it takes to come this way in the first place

I have two beer koozies and sewing them together, maybe this will work.
Your Amigo,El jefe

Map of South America where Jeff is getting close to Cape Horn and it shows the wind direction,

One of the times we Sailed into Oahu,Hawaii

At La Boquita,near Manzanillo,Mexico

0 AROUND ALONE-DAYS 31,32,33

Around Alone Update:

Total miles sailed so far-4363 NM
Miles sailed last three days-395 NM
Miles left to go to the Horn-1749 NM.
Top speed so far=10.8kts.

THE REST OF THE STORY:

DAY 31:24hr.Run=125NM.

Position: Latitude- 41*17’S. Longitude-113*30′
Weather-Wind 15-20kts but gusting 30-50kts in the early morning
Seas-10-15ft.
Cabin Temp. 56*-72*
Bar: 994mb

The 964mb low is still nearly on top of us.

The worst of it came at about 1am in the morning until 3am when the winds were screeching at 50 kts, the only good thing to come out of that, was the winds seemed to flatten the seas somewhat so there were smaller holes to come “Crashing” down into.
The waves are still breaking into the cockpit at times, so repairs will not be attempted on steering cables until things moderate somewhat. It kind of makes me miss the nice winters in Mexico.

We are starting to sail over the top of the low as it is moving SW and can now at last steer the course to the “Horn”.

DAY-32:  24hr.Run=128NM.

Position: Latitude-43*03’S. Longitude-112*00’W
Weather: Wind-10-15 kts. WNW
Seas confused 6-8ft. from SW and West.
Cabin Temp-59*-67* Sunny skies most of the day
Bar:1008 mb

The winds were down and it was time to see if the steering cables can be fixed. I estimated if things went well,it would take about three hours, Hmmmmmm
The chain had spun off the sprocket and dropped down inside the steering pedestal. I removed the compass and disconnected the fuel and shift cable so I could pry that part of the pedestal up and get under it with my fish tape hopping to be able to hook the chain or a cable and drag it out. After about 20 minutes of being unsuccessful at dragging the chain out, even after it was hooked, because you have to get it around the sprocket and the steering shaft, then the break mechanism for the wheel. “IMPOSSIBLE”
So I stepped back and decided that possibly I could unbolt everything on top of the wheel tube and lift that off then I would have a four inch opening to drag the chain and cables out of.
Now you must picture we are sailing in some waves and two off my biggest compartments had to be emptied into the cockpit.
I mean there is 1000ft. of lines, different lengths of chain, a 60lb. CQR anchor, 5-gallons of oil and transmission oil, and hoses, electrical cords, Hookah Hose and many other miscellaneous I don’t know “Why the hell I have all these Shit Items”

Ok so you got the picture, all work is done with those hatches open and piles of “shit” everywhere, that you must walk on, and lay on, and most importantly trying to keep it from falling down into the open hatches where the bilge is and things can disappear forever.
Once I get all the bolts out of the steering shaft housing, there seemed to be no way to get it off the 4″ stainless steel tube. It is bronze and you can only pound on that stuff so much. Hmmmm! Three hours????
Well if you can’t get it from the top why not the bottom. So I crawl down in the compartment and take of the four nuts that hold the Bronze cable wheels and the backing plate for the steering pedestal.

Suddenly I have the chain and cables in my hand, as a matter of fact the cable that broke, broke at the chain and there was enough extra wire at the steering quadrant end to remake it on to the chain using two Crosby U-bolt clamps.
In the end it took 7-hours of steady work and no breaks but I can tell you I feel much better today knowing it is fixed. I believe why it failed was because the lines to the wind vane steering became to slack and allowed the rudder to swing back and forth and the wind vane would stop the wheel from spinning suddenly allowing the chain to cut into the cable, or possibly it was the result of the shaft sliding out of the coupling and back against the rudder causing a lot of extra pressure to turn the rudder.

DAY-33:  24hr.Run=14 NM.

Position: Latitude- 44*10’s. Longitude-109*15’W
Weather: Wind 12-15 kts NW
Seas:6-8ft.cabin Temp-59*-72*
Bar:1008 mb

A nice sailing day and I finally got up enough nerve to take the transmission out of reverse and let the prop spin while I ran the boat in neutral, circulating the oil and basically drying the engine it out for twenty minutes.
Next I started the water-maker up and ran it for an hour making water. The water maker produces about 7-gallons an hour.
I consume on average about 2.5 gallons a day.

Our first 75-gallon tank ran dry after thirty days, so now I will gradually top off both tanks once again.

It certainly feels good sailing once again with a boat I can steer.

Always missing Debbie, El Jefe’

The Cockpit on Sailors Run,compartment on right goes deep down
Binacle (the green round stand in front of wheel that holds steering cables)

At Copacabana Beach in Rio De Janeiro
Jeff is gonna need all his muscles on this trip

Having a great time at
Restaurant Porlamar,San Lorenzo, Honduras

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS 28-29-30

Day- 28.
24Hr.Run=125NM.

Position: Latitude-40*29’S. Longitude-116*18’W.

Weather-Wind=10-30 kts.SSW.

Seas=8-10ft. SW. Cabin Temp=56*-61*

Bar=1006mb.

Day- 29.
24hr.Run=125NM.

Position: Latitude- 40*46’S. Longitude=116*30′.

Weather-Wind 30kts gusting 45kts.SE

Seas confused sw 8ft-SE-10-15ft.

Cabin Temp=67*-72*

Bar=1010mb

Day- 30.
24hr.Run=78NM.

Position: Latitude-40*27’S. Longitude-115*46’W.

Weather-Wind=30-50 kts.

Seas=12-15ft. Very rough.

Cabin Temp=59*-65*

Bar=994mb

Total miles sailed so far=3968 NM.

Total miles sailed last 3-days=328 NM

Total miles left to go to the Horn=2,117 NM.

Top speed so far. 10.8 kts. New High.

Day- 28.
Welcome to the Roaring 40s,and yes they are Roaring at times, and right now I’m just trying to get the boat dialed in.

The hardest part about that is here the squalls are packing 35kts, and I’m trying to sail in 10-15kts. I have pulled the Mizzen down as it tends to make the boat corkscrew around too much in the squalls as they come in over our stern. I reefed the staysail giving me lots of options up there and last night at 3-am in an exceptionally bad squall I double reefed the main. We are definitely starting to have fun now. We half filled the cockpit twice today.

Day-29
Today was the hardest day of the trip so far; the reason being there is a 964 millibar Low that has formed just several hundred miles NE of me and I’m getting hammered with SE winds and severe seas making going towards my destination nearly impossible.

After sailing 125NM we only made good about 25NM toward our destination to the Horn.

Along the way the rope drum on the steering wheel, was falling off as two of the three hose clamps that hold it on had broken, and there is no way to replace those clamps when the wheel is spinning back and forth.

What I did was put the boat on electric auto pilot and took the wheel off. Now that became rather painful as the last time I tried to pull the wheel off in Argentina it would not come off. So anticipating the problem I took the nut off, and set myself down behind the wheel and gave it my very most powerful “yank” I could come up with. I could not believe how easily it flew off the shaft and smacked this “Yank” right in the head, “holy shit” I seen stars for a minute, but luckily I have a hard head. Once I got the wheel below it was easy to replace the broken hose clamps.
Later in the afternoon I altered course to SW as it looks like the low is dropping down on me and I’m going to get out of its way and jump on the back side of it as it comes down and that will allow us to have favorable winds to head for the Horn.

Day-30
Worst day of the trip so far as the low has moved right down on top of us and we are seeing 30- 50 kts and “Rough Ass” seas

They are not so big that I fear being rolled but they have done some damage. We are currently hove to with broken steering cables, but I still have cabbage, onions, potatoes, squash and apples, and oh yea a extra couple pieces of steering cable. The steering wheel spins now much like the “wheel of fortune” and I have just won another non paid repair in confined spaces.

Oh and by the way the steering cables were replaced just 8- months ago and I have never ever broke one before in 22 years, and regularly change them every 5- years

I cannot use the wind vane now until repairs are made to steering cables so that puts it pretty high on the priority list.

I can steer with the electronic auto pilot and once this low gets off us and we are sailing towards our destination and not taking seas aboard in the cockpit i will make the repair.

Things are getting wet below as the waves that are breaking on the boat,are breaching the seal on the overhead butterfly hatch. If it gets much wetter I will have to wear my rain gear to set at the table on the not so dry cushions.
After one month starting to grow gills, El Jefe’

Found this on the streets of Uruguay 2010, so now El Jefe signs his name this way

Us in Uruguay 2010

0 AROUND ALONE-DAYS 25,26,27

Day-25
24hr.Run=49NM.
Position-36*48’S. Longitude-120*04’W.
Weather-Wind ESE. Seas a swell coming in from the SW at 8ft.
Bar=1024mb
Cabin Temp=71*-77*. Creeping slowly to the South trying to elude the high that is upon us.

Day-26
24hr. Run=123 NM.
Pos. Latitude-38*41;W. Longitude-129*04’W.
Weather-Wind West 8-20kts.
Bar=1016mb
Seas-SW 8ft. Today was cloudy in the am with sun throughout the afternoon.

Day -27
24hr. Run=117 NM.
Pos. Latitude-40*16’S. Longitude- 118*38’W.
Weather- Wind=8-25 kts.
Bar=1006mb
Seas-8-10ft.

Total miles sailed so far=3640 NM.

Total distance sailed last 3-days=289 NM.

Distance left to go to the Horn=2210NM.

Top speed so far=9.9kts.

The rest of the story:

Day-25
Barometer is on the way down and that is a good thing as the high is moving out and the wind will be coming in.

I was watching over the stern, gazing down into the clear Blue Ocean and I seen several fish following the boat one appeared about two feet long and had black and gray stripes running around his body. The other fish was brown and looked like a 10″ trout. I also noticed some Blue Bottle Jelly fish, they are unusual as they stay on the surface and have a sail they hoist when wanting to move around. They are about 5-inches long and the sail sticks up about 3-4″.
I pulled one out with a net once and was surprised to see a single very long tentacle hanging down that I was told hurts like “Hell” if you are stung by it.

Day-26
I have been creeping along the 120* longitude for 3-days now and it is refreshing to see the winds start to fill back in. I’m sure if I had any hair, I would have surely pulled it all out by now.

I have a solar panel issue that I’m mulling over. The panels are doing great keeping the batteries up but two of them are hanging out on my one inch stainless steel rails, and are 2ft.X4feet presenting not only a large area to the sun but the seas as well. I had planned to pull them off when the seas got up, but now that the wind generator seems out, I’m thinking maybe leave one on and just put the one below. The panels are fused so if they were destroyed the fuse should blow.

My last trip down this way there were many sunny days even when a gale was blowing. This year is an El Nino year so not sure what to expect. The only difference so far is that the South Pacific High has gotten further south sooner this year so it seems to me.

Day-27
I want to wish all of you a belated “Happy Thanksgiving” if you know what I mean “Pilgrims”. My dinner was chicken fried in a sesame batter with boiled potatoes and a can of green beans, and that will be the first can I have opened so far on this voyage, if you don’t count the Budweiser that was desert.

Today we are nicely corkscrewing our way along, with the wind coming from astern and freshening. I have reefed the staysail and hoisted it back up giving me options in heavy weather, where I can roll the Genoa almost all the way in and be powered up nicely.

Had a big squall come through about 3am blowing about 35 kts, and had to put two reefs in the main and the Mizzen is down and covered on the boom. It makes it tough to sail fast all the time when the wind velocity changes so drastically,and often like it is now.

Doing the “Turkey Trot” along the way to the “Horn” the Jefe’

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS-22,23,24

Day-22
24hr.Run=142 NM.

Position-Latitude-34*51’S. Longitude-119*28’W.

Weather-Wind=8-14kts.

Seas=2-4ft.

Cabin Temp.65*-73*. Stratus clouds with some sun breaks.

Bar=1028mb

Day-23
24hr.Run=56 NM.

Position-Latitude 35*1’S. Long.120*11;W.

Weather-Wind 0-10 kts.

Seas=1-2ft.

Cabin temp=67*-73*. The high is on top of us and progress very-very slow.Today was sunny and perfect weather for lounging in the cockpit.

Bar=1028mb.

Day-24
24hr.Run=35NM.

Position- Latitude-36*06’S Long.120*05W.

Weather-Wind ESE at 0-7 kts.

Seas=1ft.Cabin Temp=69*-77* Sunny and warm just no wind.

Bar=1028mb

Total miles sailed so far=3351 nm.

Miles sailed last three days=230NM.

Distance to go to Cape Horn=2456 NM.

Top boat speed so far=9.9kts

The rest of the story.

Day-22

Took some time and looked for things that might needed my attention:
Found a steering line on Monitor wind vane that was ready to let go so just retied a new knot on end of line as I had extra line to work with.
Changed the way my jack lines are ran on deck, took one wrap of line off boom brake so it can be moved a little easier,
Found a couple of real small tears in genoa up where it rolls on to the furler by the feed in devise to the furler tracks, so applied patches there.

Trying to devise schedule as to when I might arrive off the Capes assuming things continue about the same.
Cape Horn- December-12th

Cape of Good Hope January-7th.2016

Cape Llewellyn, Australia February-5th.2016

The 180* Dateline east of New Zealand, February-22nd.2016

Arrival 400 NM west of Chile on the Latitude 48*S where I will be making the turn North to Bahia Caraquez, Ecuador
Arriving April-5th 2016.

You must remember my goal is to do all of this in 150-days so will be hoping to shave 6-days off this final arrival date at the finish line, this will be a real stretch for the Old Sailors Run and crew.

Had a hit on the fishing line when I was winding it in by hand, almost breaking my hand when it was slammed into the stainless steel stern pulpit. I often wondered what that would be like. “Hurts like hell”. At least there are fish and although he did not stay hooked up there is always manyana.

Day-23

Day started very pleasant although wind was down to 10-kts. or less,but sunny and felt warm so spent time out in the cockpit. It was about 1-pm and we hooked a beautiful 15lb.Big Eye Tuna.I got him aboard ok with the gaff in him, but by the time he was finished the cockpit looked like a scene from the
“Chain Saw Massacre”.
I love this variety of tuna as it is much like the yellow fin tuna. When it was all filleted out there were 14-dinners that went in the freezer, extending my meat supply out another two weeks. There is something truly amazing about farming from the sea.

This day is also special as we have arrived at our turning point for the “Horn”. Now all we need is this high to move off of us and we will get headed that way.

Day-24

Absolutely no wind at the start of this day and very trying to sail without wind, seems like lots of work for very little gain.
It won’t be to long and we will be crashing along at good speed with lots of wind. We are headed for the 45*S. to get the wind, that is blowing 45 kts gusting to 60kts with 8-meter seas. We will try to stay on the edge of all that

With glassy seas,and no wind I felt compelled to pull the coupler apart and secure the nut better on the prop shaft. Once I had separated the two halves and slid the shaft back, there was no way to loosen the nut without the socket that fits it. I was here and wanted to be sure this nut would not vibrate off if I needed so mixed up a big glob of Marine-Tex epoxy and filled the coupler with it. I’m pretty sure that nut is not coming off now or possibly “ever”, as a matter of fact I probably don’t even need the 4-bolts that hold the coupler together at this point.”Fixed”

Sometimes the solution is right in front of your face! As it turned out in the case of the Hot water bottles left behind. Since all single handers are hard pressed to overcome adversity, we tend to over accessorize, and there inlay the solution to the cool berth at night problem.

See I figured if I took “Little Penelope” the inflatable doll and filled her with salt water, well the tiny little thing couldn’t weigh over 110 Lbs full. Now,to make things perfect, Debbie and I always carried a “body bag” on board so as no crew would ever be left behind.
I figure slip little Penelope in that black body bag, then lay her out in the sun for 4 -5 hrs maybe with a little wind break, and come bed time she will be one “Hot Little Mama”.

Feeling sleepy and heading to bed, the Jeffe’

Ahhh feels great and fits nicely

Another new bean bag debbie made especially for this trip

Using my pressure cooker for great fast meals

0 AROUND ALONE DAYS-19,20,21

Day-19
24hr.Run: 159 NM.

Position: Latitude-30*00’S. Longitude-114*04’W.

Weather: Wind 15-25kts.SE.

Seas:6-8ft.

Cabin Temp: 69*-73*. Today cloudy with rain and squalls.
Bar: 1020 mb

Day-20
24hr.Run:151 NM

Position: Latitude: 32*oo’S. Longitude: 115*47’W.

Weather: Wind 8-15 kts.

Seas: 3-5ft. cabin temp=68*-73*. Today squalls in the early am then clearing off with sunny skies and diminishing winds.
Bar:1022mb

Day-21
24hr.Run=125NM.

Position: Latitude: 33*01’S. Longitude-117*50’W.

Weather: Wind 8-13 kts SSE.

Seas:2-4ft. Cabin Temp=69*-73*. Today mostly cloudy skies as we attempt to sail through the high pressure.
Bar:1026mb

Total Miles sailed so far=3107 NM

Total miles last 3-days=435 NM

Distance left to go to Turning point for the Horn=168NM

Top speed so far= 9.9kts.

The rest of the story.

Day-19
Today I noticed a red light flashing on my Spot Locator [tracking device], I assumed it meant we were out of satellite contact range ,as I heard that can happen where we are. Later I noticed it was shut down altogether and decided to read the manual. Hmmmm!! The batteries that were to last up to 6-months were “Dead”. They were lithium batteries and had lasted 18-days, so now we do the test with Kirkland alkaline batteries and see what results we have

With the SPOT Gen3 Satellite GPS Messenger, you can reach emergency responders, check-in with family or friends, share GPS coordinates and track your adventures, all at the push of a button.

.

Today I’m fishing again with the cedar plug lure. I have not seen any flying fish or squid for several days now.

Have you ever headed on a long trip and a hundred miles down the road realized you forgot something very important? Well guess what I forgot to get, two hot water bottles. I had looked for them in Mexico and never found them, and they never made my preparations list. So once again it is time to improvise, as those cold ass nights in the southern ocean can be tempered a little with some kind of berth warmer. I’m thinking a plastic quart jar filled with hot water and sealed then wrapped in a towel, any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated?

Information to those of you that might be new-comers to the Solo-nonstop around the world adventure, what I have had to do after leaving Bahia Caraquez, Ecuador is sail first to the Equator entering the Northern Hemisphere, then to add distance to my route I have sailed SW leaving Easter Island to port and have a plan to turn for the Horn after lat.35*S and Long.120*W, and that is only if it is possible at that time which looks a little doubtful now, as I’m in the high pressure and must get down in the roaring 40s to take off for the Horn.

Once around the Horn I will be sailing at Latitude 48*S entirely around the world south of all the great capes, Australia New Zealand etc. I will then turn north when I arrive about 400 miles off the west Coast of Chile at Latitude 48*.

Day-20
I ate the last orange yesterday, so those apples are looking pretty good.

I have to admit I’m not the greatest cook as that has always been Debbie’s specialty and she is great. My meals tend to be basic like ham and egg for breakfast with a piece of toast or potatoes fried up or cold cereal then at Lunch time it is splice the “main brace” time a rum drink with chips or crackers. Dinner lately has been either a hamburger patty or chicken breast baked in a covered pan on the stove with cabbage tomatoes and onions with lots of seasoning and a glob of margarine for good taste. That takes about 30-minutes quick and easy.

In the evening I read from my Kindle, so far three books, and I always have a piece of chocolate.

Besides sailing cooking and cleaning during the day I enjoy very much sharing the adventure with you via Sailmail. One of my favorite times during the morning is plotting our position on the paper charts and seeing the progress. I also love reading the emails from Debbie and all of you.

Outside you must keep a watchful eye upon the sea or you will soon be taking a very cold salty shower especially when winds get over 20 kts. I seen one other ship a few days ago on the AIS and it got within 13 NM of my position but other than that there seems to be little traffic out here.

Day-21
Winds are down and this morning pulled myself up the Mizzen Mast to tear the wind generator apart as we were making less than 5kts on fairly smooth seas. I pulled the blades off, a real juggling act on a rolling boat in a bosun’s chair and the one and only nut that fits this wind generator dangling on the end of my allen wrench set in one hand and the big three blade drum in your other and just trying to figure out what the fxxk to do now, as you are swaying back in forth in your bosun’s chair safety strapped to the mast. Next I pull the three screws out of the face plate and pull that off and let it dangle with half the generator in it from the three wires that go to the brains of the thing. I cleaned the slip rings with a scotch pad and noticed a bare wire that could have been the culprit in it not working all the time. A little electrical tape cured that, and I sweat bullets until the whole thing was all screwed and bolted back together again. Of course there is not enough air to turn it now so don’t know if it is fixed yet, but I know for sure “I’m” done working on it.

Pretty soon the wind picks up and the wind generator still does not work. I’m sorry to think it but I’m afraid it is out of the picture for the rest of the voyage.

The Wind Generator on the Mizzen Mast that quit working

I have a lot of time to think and reminisce out here on the ocean and I was thinking about what an old sailing friend of mine once told me, about extending your fuel range with a diesel motor. He had worked at a refining company and swore that you could dilute the diesel with 15% gasoline if you had it and extend your range, and not damage your engine. So being the thinker I am, I wondered if when one of my Rum bottles gets down about 15% if I couldn’t use some of that big old bottle of rubbing alcohol I have in the medicine cabinet to extend my range a bit?

Then I was thinking if my water maker quits working while I still have water should every fourth glass of water that I drink be salt water there by extending my range, or maybe it would just be best to drink the gasoline!

Sorting it all out in the Pacific your Amigo, the Jefe’

PS. Found out the Kirkland alkaline batteries only lasted 3-days before needing to be replaced so those of you that are able to follow me on spot I will only be turning on the spot about every eight hours to send out my position.