The wind reached us finally Monday 2nd
December at 7:44 UTC : 14 knots, not that much but we haven’t
see such figure since the gusty departure day on 24th November. 20 knots at
20:00.
Now heading 267°
Second refill of our small freshwater tank
necessary : unfortunately our water-maker refuses to deliver any drop of
water. Bruno spending hours down in the bilge to find the cause, and tighten
all fittings, with no result.
Tuesday second attempt to fix the water-maker,
the problem is that air comes in: manual purge of the intake pipe successful.
Tank filling completed.
Wednesday, batteries 100% full. Our towed
generator working beautifully. Afraid it could boil out our batteries. The
point is we cannot switch it out or remove the propeller out of the water
without stopping the boat. Strategy will be using all equipment plus all lights if necessary.
Once more, water-maker not producing,
intake pipe full of air, and bubbles coming. Probable culprit : the aft
location of the intake seacock. Installation of a water rationing strategy.
At 18:50 Gilbert noticed that the
hydro-generator propeller had gone (we will report it had been eaten by a big
fish, J).
Power over production now solved. Development of a power rationing strategy
(and hoping more sun for our small solar panels, 150) before using the spare
propeller (this time with a rope and not a cable, so that it can be moved out
of water). Christine reluctant because of the drag, she wants to be
at the finish line soon.
Thursday morning, gust as the watch
changes, involuntary gybe, our second chart reader attached to the binnacle
flown away to the sea by the main sheet and Gilbert’s flight over the
cockpit, no injury, oops !
Flying fishes at the menu (Christine
received a salted shower as she was closing the fridge and the heeling allowed
the bucket to fly across the cabin : last air travel of the flying fishes,
LoL) , and the moon now lightening the night until 3:20. Now two reefs in
the main to keep control at helm and jib poled out.
The Happy Crew, Karhammel IV