Day 12 - Cocos to Mauritius. Nearly there
27 July 2008 | 18 59.6'S:67 22.6'E, Indian Ocean
Day 12 Indian Ocean 27 July 2008 Position: (8.30am Cocos time) 19 00.00S 67 38.9E
What an endurance test this passage is turning out to be! A graduation certificate would be in order! The winds and sea didn't let up (again) with wind speeds 35-40 knots and gusts a bit higher. To have persistent strong winds in this range for the entire voyage is unusual for tradewinds. (usually 15-25 knots).We were getting used to waves banging and splashing over the cabin. It seems to have moderated a little this morning and it's a lot quieter but I may speak too soon. It could be a trick or a short lull before the next bang and lurch.
The self steering systems decided to cause us problems. Yesterday Bill went out on the stern to replace the rope on Fred the wind vane. When it was time to switch off Mona Lisa she wouldn't and the tiller remained locked, seems the solenoid which locks and unlocks the hydraulics is not working. What a nuisance @%$^*(*&%%$#! So were stuck with Mona Lisa only strangely now she decided she didn't want to stick to our course any more. Every time a wave came she couldn't get us back on course and when she is off course she makes a horrible electronic cheeeeeping sound. We tried to put up with this nonsense for several hours until Bill couldn't stand it any longer. He again donned wet weather gear and harness taking tools with him and unbolted the tiller from Mona Lisa. Now this doesn't mean divorce just temporary separation. Once Fred was working again we enjoined the peace and quiet and Bill was able to sleep... UNTIL a wave came and something snapped and we went completely of f course. #@^%$*&(%#! It was dark and nearly midnight and cold and wet. We both put on the wet weather gear and harnesses this time with new rope for Fred. For some reason the previous new rope had got tangled around something and chafed through. We started the engine as we were now going back to Cocos and swung her around with the sea heaving and spitting at us. Linda held on to the tiller (this was not easy) whilst Bill went back to the stern to replace the rope. All went well and we've been sailing beautifully ever since. We don't know what is wrong with the autopilot but will be phoning Coursemaster as soon as we can for advice.
Yesterday was just one of those days.. Cooking is such hard work and you don't know when a wave will hit and you find yourself with hot spaghetti all over you , the floor and everywhere. Linda was very cranky and upset. So the remaining spaghetti bowl and all went overboard!! We are both very tired and we have our limits..
We hope to make Rodrigues before dark on Monday. (Hey that's tomorrow!!) We are not sure we'll make it. There's a reef just outside the entrance to Port Mathurin which makes it foolhardy to attempt entering in the dark. We hope we don't have to sail up and down waiting for daylight..
We contacted a couple on a Norwegian yacht ahead of us. L'attitude gave us their details saying they had left for Rodrigues before we got to Cocos. We heard back from Mike and Charmain (Vire Nord) which was great as they gave us information re anchorages etc for Rodrigues, Mauritius and La Reunion. They are presently in La Reunion but they will be in South Africa by the time we get there. The yachty grapevine is excellent.
We heard from Jim (Alli Kai Too) and he's still northeast of us and says he expects to get to Rodrigues Thurs or Friday. Nat and Rob (Wilhelm ) have had a lot less wind than us on their way to Chagos. Claude and Ollie (L'attitude) are enjoying the food and social life in Phuket, Thailand. Claude who is French sent us some French greetings to practice! Its great keeping in touch with everyone. We haven't heard from our French friends on Peerliane for a while but they are visiting France and have left their boat in Kota Kinabalu Malaysia.
We are tired aching and need of a shower. I haven't washed my hair for 2 weeks and my scalp itches. We have enough water but it is just too difficult in these conditions. Any domestic task takes ages moving slowly around the boat hanging on with one hand and preparing for lurches balancing our bodies. It will be wonderful to be finally anchored and stop moving for a while.
The Indian ocean is a mighty one that's for sure. 243nm to go but we will be a lot closer by the time you read this.