L'Eau Commotion Westabout

Day 56 8pm Friday 2nd August 2019 ( UTC +3 )
The anti fouling I applied on the paddle wheel is a special water based formulation that is not supposed to interfere with the operation of the wheel as ordinary anti fouling paints are usually very thick and can clog the mechanism. At $4125 per gallon it's effectiveness does not appear to match its price. Movement through the water is no guarantee that there will not be a build up of marine organisms. Indeed in the recent retro Golden Globe race two of the boats had to pull out due to build up literally inches thick before they even got half way round and the fifth place getter had at least two knots knocked of his best speed. In my last two attempts I used International Micron 66 which on Katherine Ann had shown zero growth after two years and none on L'Eau Commotion after its circumnavigation which unfortunately has been taken off the market. Scuttlebutt round the waterfront has it that the EPA discovered it contained an ingredient that discouraged marine organisms wishing to hitch a ride on the hull so on the precautionary principle was banned. I was fortunate to be able to get hold of two of the last tins of the original formula which as would be expected has shown no sign of any build up. Despite regular lookouts the SE breeze did not arrive till 7:30am but has gradually built up during the day so by this afternoon we have been averaging close to 7 knots under full main and jib. The Windpilot was able to handle the wind fine on the stern quarter up to about six knots of boat speed but since then we are on autopilot. I have had the desalinator running a fair bit over the last few days and at midday both tanks were pressed up so with spare cans there are 260 litres of water aboard, enough for about three months of cooking and drinking.