Duet - Minor breakage

Day 4 WednesdayYesterday we had a problem with the ratchet on the furler for both of our downwind sails.The small ratchet part is bent slightly out of shape so it has become a lottery whether it will work or not. At first this seemed ok but once we’d worked out that as well as not locking it could actually totally lock up without warning we have decided on a more cautious approach today just using our main and Genoa. We are still making good speed but not as fast as we’d like. As our onboard chief engineer Steve M has worked out how to remove the ratchet altogether we may try again with the downwind sails tomorrow. A more leisurely day today has allowed us to eat like kings (and a queen). Breaded Mahi Mahi and salad for lunch and steaks in whisky cream sauce for supper. Yum. Our dealer. read more...

Duet - Our Adventure begins

Today we finally set off from Las Palmas. Despite careful preparations our start wasn’t the greatest but still fabulous to be out on the water as part of such an impressive ARC+ fleet. Light winds to begin now 20:00 strengthening giving us wonderful goose wing sailing conditions (with moonlight). Wonderful to be at peace after all the work of pre departure preparations. Great for Sally and I to have our friends Tony B and Steve M on board with us, they bring a lot of experience and we are lucky to have them. Steve M delighted to land his first fish on day one, a small Mahi Mahi we have been told. Not a lot of eating but we’ll tell you how it tasted tomorrow. John H of Duet, out.. read more...