Graham
15/12/2008, North Atlantic
After a forecast for
very little wind, we have been happily sailing along in 20 knots of wind for
the past 20 hours. So much for the weather report. This has been really good
news for 2 reasons: the first, we get to more ARC parties in Saint Lucia of
course, and second, when we tried to stop the engine yesterday after charging
our batteries, the STOP lever "...came off in me 'and Guv..." said
the helmswoman, AND, wait for it...the fuel filter developed a blockage, so the
engine stopped itself anyway! As per usual with engine problems on QUASAR IV,
it was just getting dark and the sea state was degrading, not too badly, but
too badly to have your head buried in a hot engine compartment for 2 hours
sorting out the problem. We know this from the 'Gib to Porto Santo experience'.
So, sails out, and sail for the rest of the night, and...as if by magic...the
wind started up immediately and we have averaged 6.25 knots for the past 14
hours! Sadly (for me), it was my turn to repair the engine, so as I finished my
watch at 10am this morning as the sun rose, a new fuel filter was installed,
engine bled, and an intricate pulley, paracord string, and toggle arrangement
has now been installed to operate the stop lever on the engine from the
cockpit, bypassing the broken cable. Sailing....it's all good fun! Oh, and we
are now a mere 322 Nm from Saint Lucia, even better!
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