Whales, rain and a broken boom on our third day towards Cork. A couple of pilot whales swam alongside for a few minutes in the morning before the rain came down from lunchtime onwards. A good day's sailing was halted just before dark when we noticed a crease in the aluminium boom just where the mainsheet attached. Must have been a weak spot as although we had gybed a couple of times, they were well controlled and very gentle. However it doesn't seem worth the risk of a complete failure so we are pressing ahead with engine and genoa. At least it's stopped raining!