Alcedo of Ryme - Blog 15 Heading for the Galapagos. 05.07.71N 81.59.58W

Thursday, 11/02/16.  Just need to report an unexpected surprise at the barbecue on the beach.  By some amazing handicap calculations, we were first in our class for Leg 2, possibly because we were well north of most of the fleet and had better winds, so only motored for a total of 15 minutes.   Prize was a bottle of rum, very happy with that and now feel we can relax even more about position in the fleet, as one win is plenty and we know there will a lot of motoring to the Galapagos.  Plus, we had a great evening with the lovely family from Chillie B who are great fun and fortunately speak good English.

Friday, 12/02/16.  Official start for Leg 3 was 11.00,but quite a few boats left early to try and advantage of the forecasted winds.  It was a tight start line to the south of the anchorage, defined by a temporary buoy and a by small committee boat.  There was plenty of jostling for position, so it was all quite exciting and a couple of the boats were over the line at the start time.  We did rather well we thought for amateurs and set off just after "Spirit".  Once the wind picked up at about 13.00, we had great sailing with full main and the Genoa boomed out and the staysail set to help channel the wind.  We had great wind all night, ending up with a full Genoa and 2 reefs in the main and the skipper' wife, who had the best win, clocked speeds of to 13 knots and did 19 nm in 2 hours.

Saturday, 13/02/16, 15.00hrs.  The wind has been gradually dying all morning and coming more from the East and now we having to motor assist on a course direct to San Chrisobal, some 607 nm to go. We can never sail in light airs dead downwind unless the sea is really calm as we have no coloured sails.  We want to be in the Galapagos in good time so are pushing on with both engines at 2000 rpm using precious diesel at 4 litres an hour.
Maybe there will be more wind tonight, it is forecast.

Alcedo

PS.  Overheard, Ship's Boy on handing over to Jane. "Just keep the thingamie".  Jane seemed to understand exactly what was required.