Sailin', Sail End
22 August 2019 | To French Guiana Day 7
Thursday 22 August 2019
190 NM abeam nearest land in middle of Amazon delta. We're this far out because shoreline sweeps in at the river or Guiana juts out depending, as with many things, on perspective. No effects from river's outflow here as we remain in the huge ocean river that flows along northeast coast of Brazil to French Guiana. Makes the Gulf Stream graphic look puny and irresolute in comparison. Beginning not long after departure from Rio Paraiba, we've seldom seen less than two knots of current bundling us along and, for long intervals, over three. Able to remain in fastest section using RTOFS forecast model thanks to Luckgrib and Iridium Go (shameless plugs). Expect this to continue until turning in toward land southeast of Iles du Salut.
As expected, breeze is dwindling, but on our beam, so still able six and a half up to eight over ground. With less wind sea has become even more kindly. Almost worth going back to Jacare to do it again... OK maybe not, but another voyage this good is liable to be awhile. Of course, after the Indian almost any passage would feel like nirvana. Having seen sailing environments all around the world it will be fun to re-experience eastern Caribbean for comparison. With distances short and wind so consistent expect the EC to seem almost easy. Given how these things often are, however, that's probably wrong.
Third day in a row for breakfast of smashed avo toast (mashed avocado on toasted homemade bread) with eggs, soft poached or over easy. Only thing that could make it better would be crisp streaky bacon, but difficult to find outside North America. So what does everyone else do with that part of the pig? Whatever, it's a travesty.
After checking inventory list and scrounging around for awhile found used bits and pieces of watermaker pumps. A good motor with a bad pump, a good pump with a bad pressure switch, a good switch on a broken piece of pump. Although the 'good' descriptor in each case is as yet unbespoke, a moment of contemplative effort produced epiphany that a complete, operative unit might be cobbled together. Couldn't use pump from just dead motor as someone broke off stainless screws corroded into aluminum pump body, trying unnecessarily to remove them, making it useless. Excoriating letter to be placed in bungling individual's employment file. Finished rebuild just before dinner at 1700, so installation and testing will commence in the morning. You are hence likely tense with suspense awaiting results.
Unfortunately weather forecast was unaccountably accurate and wind dropped to four knots this afternoon. Appears, after six glorious days of magnificent sailing, we will motor for duration. Expect arrival early Saturday morning.
Jack & Jan