Day 18 - Slow Going
21 April 2007 | 2165 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas at 02deg 21'S 132deg 19'W
Don
Here's the routine: motor along at 5 knots because there is no wind; 8 knots from the east so put up the light air sails; rain squall ahead so take down the light air sails and put up the jib; rain squall passes bringing good wind for half an hour; back to 8 knots from the east so put up the light air sails; no wind so take sails down and run motor. Repeat the above until tired and ready for a nap.
As I write this the boat is only doing 1 knot. That is bad enough but the 1 knot is in the wrong direction! My diesel supply is dwindling so I am now using the motor sparingly. I should be thankful. There is a boat several hundred miles behind me that has had an engine failure and has been drifting around for 7 days. They have plenty of food and water but are getting frustrated. The weather guru says this should all change by Monday.
My distance for today is 113 miles for an average speed of 4.7 kts. I'll be lucky if I make 80 miles tomorrow. All else is well. I am working my way through the 14000 songs on my Ipod. Maybe I will make some popcorn and watch a video.