Sunday 2nd December 2012
Position ; 19' 46 N, 033'26' W
@1200hrs GMT miles covered in last 24 hours - 218
Late morning a few big squalls blow through gusting 40 knots. We've noticed a tear in the headsail but there's no option to reef as fear head to wind will flog the sail to bits. Ian's on the helm for periods although the autohelm holds well for most of the time. On three separate occasions throughout the morning we hook fish, but same old story, we fail to get them in. As Gordon's winding in the reel Annie's watching the numbers as we clock gusts of 40+ knots, and top 14 knots - not a chance. After breakfast the wind settles to more like the forecast so the crew begin the sail repairs. We're unable to roll the headsail in or out owing to the fankle at the head of the mast. We wait for a lull (25 knots) for Nathan to be hoisted up the sail. It's all hands on deck - Ian and Frank have a stabilising line each, each tied to Nathan, Ronnie and Annie do the double haliard hoist and Gordon man's the helm. Ian get's lifted off the deck (such is the force of the wind...!) a few times. Unfortunately Nathan unable to carry out repairs as planned as the sail is too wet. He swiftly moves on to the next task - taping up the loose Furona weather aeriel above the bottom spreader. He gets slapped in the face by the Furona much to his Dad's and Frank's amusement. He's ready to come down but Annie hesitates as she has to get a good action shot. Nathan then safely down although despite a great effort no tasks complete. Nathan seems to have quite enjoyed his time up there so much so that he's now talking about going right to the top tomorrow to fix the haliard fankle - we will need to wait for less than 25 knots for that......Squally conditions continue but Annie continues undeterred from the her next task in hand - Sunday lunch. Late afternoon, at a certain angle, the crew sit down to roast beef, rolling potatoes and apple crumble while trucking along at 10 knots in 30 knots wind.
With full bellies all settle down to the night watches - still frequent squalls of 30+ knots running through. We're still heading slightly south of west on a port tack and stonking along at a fairly consistent 10-12 knots, topping at 14. No other signs of life apart from the occasional tropic bird and flying fish - one of which pelts Nathan on the way into the cockpit.. At approximately 4am,while McPhail and Sunny Jim on watch, the vang bursts, followed shortly after by the preventer. All hands on deck. Sunny Jim busy on the foredeck mumbling something about a cruise.....After another good team effort all necessary repairs are completed within 1/2 hour. Sunrise at 0800hrs GMT - a spectacular multi coloured sky - speed tops 15 knots. Must be our best mileage so far?