Day 2 of Passage
02 May 2015 | 32 53'S:178 06'E, Heading Towards Minerva/Tonga
Colin
We are finally sailing after 40 hrs of motorsailing through the center of a high over NZ, we are now sailing a NE course to put in some easting against the anticipated tradewinds we expect further north. The current forecast is 7-8 days close hauled to Tonga in 20-25 kts with big seas... not fun. So,we may punk out and bear away for Minerva Reef about 5 days nearly north of us. Still plenty of wind, but probably more comfortable angles.
Last night I noticed a lot more water in the engine room bilge than I'd seen before... Turns out it is the raw water pump bearings leaking. Too bad, it would have been a lot easier to deal with anytime in the last 6 months we were in NZ. Still it seems to work OK and the engine room bilge pump keeps up with the leak. I have a spare pump, but it's genric and never tested on this motor. Fortunately, being a catamaran I also have a spare motor.
Otherwise, all is well aboard Bangorang as we slowly sail north to the tropics. Looking forward to the warmer weather.