Update

At 8:30am we effected temporary repairs to the port rudder assembly. We lowered the sails and turned the boat to present the starboard hull to the wind. Lying ahull, in 30 knots of wind, I used spare line to tie the assembly together. Getting started was very difficult as the rudders did not agree on which way they wanted to point so getting enough tension in the line while holding it together was very difficult. In the end I managed to bind it up and then a second time in case the first line chaffed through. I test of the jury rig showed some resistance when turning to port so I decided that to carry on sailing we would still need to lash down the helm.
Once underway having two rudders now working together was a distinct improvement but it’s still tricky to balance the boat. Once we are moving in roughly the right direction we leave it there and wait for a wind shift.

Now it’s the wind strength that’s a bit of a worry. We’re seeing high 20s and low 30s from time to time with the wind having shifted a little forward of the beam giving higher apparent wind speeds. The winds subside to low 20s from time to time. Each time we hope it will stay and one time it will. Just not yet.

All is well aboard. We’re in occasional touch with the vessels around although we’ve now fallen behind the pack. Sea Mist set sail yesterday evening so they’re on their way too with a repaired head sail.