490nm to go. That says it all. Although our path through the water was a little longer we’re only 86nm closer to our destination than 24 hours ago. We were hoping for boat speeds over 5 knots. We ended up hoping for 3 by end of day. The winds ended up very light. What little swell we had would send the sail flapping as they had so little pressure on them. It was quite annoying. Another day of hoping each new puff of wind, each small increase in the swell, each surge of the wind gen (or, towards the end, the fact that it would turn) would be the resumtion of decent winds.
In my exasperation I took out the shredded Code Zero and selected a damaged section to sew up to see what it would take. After several hours of stitching I assessed my position. It looked hopeless. I could have willingly sat there for two days sewing if I felt I could have ended up with a working sail. But the way the top of the sail had torn through the reinforced material close to the ring I felt I could never make that part strong enough using the skills I have. So this effort was abandoned despite my dislike for quitting a task.
We used the continued lull for another wash. Helen seems quite happy for these conditions to continue albeit perhaps with boat speeds nearer the previous day. I’m less than happy and John less than me. In his case his days aboard the boat are dwindling and each day at sea is one less for him to add something different to this unique experience. For Helen and I we have this year and the next to enjoy the South Pacific so the odd day here and there doesn’t mean much against the big picture.
We’re now needing an average of 6 knots for the rest of the trip to make it during daylight on the 2nd of May. With the privelege of actually being in day 18 I can say that in the last few minutes the wind has just picked up and we’re now doing just over 5 knots – what we needed yesterday. There is hope yet if this upward trend continues and, more importantly, doesn’t disappear. Otherwise we’ll have to settle on the 3rd. Originally, planning for the odd day at standstill, I set a pessimistic expectation of 24 days for the crossing. If we arrive on the 3rd then it will be only 21 despite our poor days so it’s not as bad as our worst case but that doesn’t make me feel that much better.
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