âThe shark got it Sirâ
11 June 2018
Weâve been towing our tow generator whilst sailing for the last 24 hours to keep the batteries topped up and to avoid/delay needing to run the engine to charge up. Today as expected the wind died, we slowed and have needed to begin motoring. When I went to retrieve the impeller which is a 2 bladed propeller on a shaft on the end of 30m of rope, all we had was rope. It seems somewhere out there in the North Atlantic thereâs a shark with a seriously indigestible propeller inside him. We have a spare and that has now been set up in the hope of being used later as and when we get some wind.
For now the engine is motor sailing us and weâve taken the gamble to turn towards the Azores. Our plan is to motor for now and hope for enough sailing wind in a couple of days. We may need to divert to Ponta Delgado to refuel which will mean we are disqualified from the OCC Azores rally but at least we hope to be there even if late. We have just learned sadly that Marionette has decided to return to Lisbon as they also have no wind and inadequate fuel to press on. Their crew will fly out to enjoy the gathering in Horta and have said this is the forest time in 30 years cruising they have had to abandon a passage due to lack of wind.
Hope springs eternal and we still hope to get our boat across the line in Horta, even if we end up motoring as much as weâve sailed.
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