Four Seasons - Wish we hadn't sold our mid size spinnaker now...

We put a huge tear in the bottom of the light weight spinnaker when it caught around the nav. light on the pulpit. We then had a deja vu feeling back to ARC 2000 with Caroline patching and sewing it back together. In the meantime the wind was now 15-20 kts from the east so we put the heavy kite up. Going along brilliantly averaging over 7 kts. when with a bang the spinnaker rips in half; some staying at the top of the mast, the rest in the water. As usual this was at night and everyone had just gone to bed leaving just 2 on watch...Eventually get the bit in the water back aboard but what’s left at the top of the mast has now firmly wrapped itself around the forestay, jamming the roller furling headsail. Oh Pooh ! Left the halyard to run and sure enough the remains came down by themselves over night.

So we are now spinnaker less and having to rely on the old wing and wing. Luckily the wind has filled in so at the moment making good progress. Less than 1000 to go tonight !

Otherwise all good. We have redeployed Matilda (the towed generator) and the batteries are getting a good charge. Robert the rudder bearing showing signs of movement again. Will investigate later. More tomorrow.

C & C