L'Eau Commotion Westabout

9:0pm Saturday 23rd June 2018 ( UTC-5 )
When I saw Charles’s comments on my direction I did expand the chart and yes that is the direction I have been heading but it is not the objective. No the plan is to keep heading West North West till I reach the ‘teens to be assured of a constant West going trade wind to ease me over the Tuamotus around 16S. On both occasions crossing the Indian Ocean I felt I kept too far to the South. The extra few days heading North West would I think have saved me from an attack of The Blues and I am determined not to make the same mistake in the Pacific. I have been running with a quartering breeze using the electric autopilot and it was quite successful until the wind went further astern with a mild gybe resulting - not a problem with a good preventer on the boom and the poled out jib secured with its topping lift and fore and aft stays but nevertheless uncomfortable. Accordingly I took in another couple of rolls in the jib allowing it go more square and with a few fiddles now have L’Eau Commotion running pretty well dead before the wind using the WindPilot.To my gratification it is also handling the slight increase in the breeze that comes along with the light showers. It was good to test the autopilot and see the Watt & Sea providing the Getup & Go but I don’t want to wear it out as it is such a good backup in emergencies. The Tropics had hardly been entered when I was presented with my first flying fish dinner this year. Crispy fried in a covered frying pan in olive oil which I then used to make a couple of thick pancakes - one with Vegemite and one with golden syrup. Spot on. I must get the line set once the speed drops below six knots. I did try one of the deserts but it just missed the mark, which only proves you can’t please everyone.