8th June, 2006. 0740hrs AEST
Position: 17°58.125N 63°13.335W
Sint Maarten is over the horizon.
As of 7.40am AEST time on 08/06/06, they have 27Nm's down with 1094Nm's to go to Colòn, Panama. Cruising in light breeze with the inner up at 6.5Kn's.
10th June, 2006. 0030hrs AEST
Almost in at St. Croix, USVI (120NM from departure). Had problems with the autopilot (a lock nut working loose). No great dramas except for entry to the US – need visas if on a yacht – granted temporary refugee status. Should be on their way by 3.00am (AEST).
From accounts, at least one of the girls lost her bra in a night club in St. Croix, last seen hitching a ride on a ceiling fan (it's going to be an interesting trip!).
10th June, 2006. 2100hrs AEST
Position: 17°24.908N 63°41.901W
Left St. Croix and approx 90Nm out (2100hrs 10/06/06 AEST), an over speed problem occurs, causing them to shut the engine down. It's not solvable on board, but based on the amount of solar power coming in (20 amps from the panels and another 5 - 20 from the wind generator; even with the refrigeration on, power draw is less than 10 amps), the crew elects to push on to Panama where there is a Yanmar distributor. Turning back would mean a loss of at least 5 days (its also the weekend).
They need to be conservative on power, hand steer the majority of the way to save autopilot draw, but they should be fine. True wind is down to 8 Kns almost directly over the stern but still making 7.5 Kns. The forecast is for 10 – 15kns from the East pickup up to 20 – 25 on Sunday and Monday. They plan to keep further north before heading south for a better angle. Spinnaker going up to soon to pick up extra speed.
5+ days and 960Nm's to Colon, Panama.
12th June, 2006. 0000hrs AEST
Position: 15°54.126N 68°33.382W
Batteries down to 11.5 volts over night, but charge up to 12v during the day.
Analysis tend to suggest that the engine problem is a warped head, probably from a previous overheat. Both white and blue smoke was reported prior to shutting down the engine. Maybe not, its a wet exhaust (where raw water from the cooling system is injected into the exhaust to cool and silence it), so maybe a bit of wet/white smoke and oily residue is normal.
Continuing on a tack towards Venezuela, towards heavier seas (shallower water) and pirates. Fishing is good, heaps of tuna. Spirits high in spite of hand steering.
12th June, 2006. 2035hrs AEST
Position: 14°16.111N 70°44.151W
Approaching the Venezuelan coast and about to gybe further North. Wind to 25 kns from the East. Wind generator making plenty of power so batteries are OK. Boat speed 8-9 kns with 610Nm to go and closing in on the half-way mark.
At this stage, expected ETA is 0800hrs AEST Friday morning, or around dusk (1500 Thursday) in Panama. They have a berth booked at the Panama Yacht Club in Colòn. A replacement Mobilert should reach Panama by Friday.
13th June, 2006. 0700hrs AEST
Position: 15°01.518N 71°48.353W
Away from the Venezuelan coast and lining up for the final gybe down into Panama. Confused seas. Boat speed 7.2 kns with a high, a few hours earlier, of 9.6 kns and 11 kns over the ground. Power is fine. Wind speed 14 – 18 kns.
There was a concern over pirates but reports indicate that they target anchored boats, off coastal islands, east of their position. 590 Nm's to go.
13th June, 2006. 2110hrs AEST
Position: 14°03.182N 73°16.738W
796Nm from departure, 480Nm to go. Wind 30 kns, boat speed 8 – 9 Kns. Seas 14 – 20'. Main with 2nd reef (60% reef) and genoa 90% rolled. Rough, but everyone is in good spirits.
I estimate that it will keep up (and intensify by up to 30%) for the next 2 days, but the wind should die off approaching the Panamian coast. On the other hand, seas should be rougher and more confused.
14 June, 2006. 2250hrs AEST
Position: 12°18.49N 75°44.53W
296Nm to go (960Nm already covered) and they should arrive around 2.00am Friday Panama time (1700 Friday AEST) so will probably have to anchor in the flats until the PYC opens Friday morning.
Wind has dropped to 20 - 25Kns with confused seas. Boat speed 7.2Kns and holding a course of 240deg magnetic. They'll have to put in another gybe or 2 before Colòn.
Too rough for fishing (plus I think they are starting to get a bit sick of fish). Plenty of power, running the fridge all the time now and they've had their first shower in days (thank God smell doesn't travel down Sat phones).
15th June, 2006. 0630hrs AEST
Position: 11°54.140N 76°20.976W
The engine has been running OK, but the alternator is not charging, and in that state, is liable to discharge the batteries at the rate of 3 amps. Also the amp meter on the main distribution board is not working.
A possible explanation is that the engine over speed was a genuine governor/ fuel pump issue (maybe a failed seal has leaked diesel into the sump) and that excess alternator output has cooked the regulator. In any event, it's an issue that is best resolved back in a marina with a good diesel mechanic and some appropriate D & A.
So, back to the doldrums, drifting at .2 of a knot in 2 Kns of breeze. No change is expected for 24 – 36 hrs until the tropical wave moves on. Then its up to 10 – 15kns, but that's going to put them in Colòn over the weekend, probably Sunday. Battery power still good.
16th June, 2006. 0700hrs AEST
Position: 11°07.744N 77°31.600W
Wind 8Kns on the nose. Boat speed 6.3Kns. Seas glassy smooth < 3' and fish are on the bite. Crew reporting great sailing. 170Nms to go. Forecast for wind increase in the next 12 – 18 hours to 15 – 20 Knots but swinging around to the ENE. A mechanic is standing by for when they reach Colòn.
16th June, 2006. 1140hrs AEST
Position: 10°28.409N 78°45.125W
Bearing 229deg. True wind 12 Kns. Boat speed 7.2Kns. 102Nm's and 1 or 2 gybes to go. Another fish hooked but not caught. Will arrive after dark so will have to anchor in the flats. All in good spirits.
17 June, 2006. 1015hrs AEST
Position: 10°01.679N 79°08.39W
Aaah... the joys of approaching the equator..... a slow drift. 64Nm's to go.
Coming up on the San Blas islands.
Wind in between 0 and 5 knots. Boat speed between 0 and 5kns. Power at 11.5V's at the instrument console. Hooked a marlin (have had a request for a game chair to be installed on the back transom – has been denied), but it naturally broke the hand line but not before they witness a few good jumps. No rush to get into Colòn but they should be there (hopefully) mid morning Saturday local time.
18 June, 2006. 0800hrs AEST
Position: 9°20.576N 79°54.741W
In at the Flats, slow trip, no wind, no power (battery indicators flashing red – no wind for the generator, so just running on solar), tired after running constant watches drifting in shipping lanes, waiting for a berth at PYC so they can recharge, and start working on resolving mechanical and electrical issues. Still need to see Enrico (Canal Transit Agent) about paperwork and clearances.
Colòn seems inexpensive: $1 beers, $1.50 bus rides to Panama City (Pacific side) with a few tourist trips they can do, but on the other hand, it's quite basic (certainly no internet).
