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Positions
173 22.51N 23.02W
Skardu Log Day #4 (25th November 2004):
Listened to Herb's Radio Net: Herb is a bit of a legend in sailing circles, and has been doing free
weather routing for yachts across the Atlantic for years. He advised yachts in our vicinity not to
head any further south, because the winds are much lighter down there. We alter course to
head more westward, and to "cut the corner" of the more traditional trade-wind sailing route as
pioneered by Christopher Columbus (south towards the Cape Verde islands "until the butter
melts", then pick up the trade-winds heading west). Many of the experienced racing boats we
had talked to before leaving had advised us to forego the traditional route and get as much
"westing" as possible, so Herb's advice made sense.
Spent more time on radio net today. It's become a much bigger part of our day than we had
anticipated, and we very much look forward to 12:00 each day. We talked a lot with the two other
Oceanlord's (Io and Ocean Wanderer). Decided that we ought to have an Oceanlord dinner
when we arrive in St. Lucia. Other Westerly's listening in to the call want to join too, maybe it was
something about us proving the first round =) Io's alternator has packed in, and Ocean
Wanderer has blown its cruising chute, so feel we have gotten off lightly so far. Fortunately we
carry a fair stock of spare parts, and were able to offer some up to other boats in trouble... e.g.
Anan Cara, a Westerly Oceanmaster, has lost its drive unit for its autopilot.... we think we may
have a spare if they should need it.
We also learned that the ARC weather forecast is warning of a new Atlantic low forming west of
us, causing squally storm conditions, and that ARC yachts are being advised to head south... we
talk about it and conclude that it's still too far away to affect us in the next 48hrs, and have made
sufficiently south already.
Once again we were stirred by the whizzing sound of simultaneous bites on our two fishing lines.
One got away, but Q landed "Humphrey" a 5lb yellow-and-blue Dorado (also know as a
Mahi-Mahi): the first success with 'Freddie Junior' our new trolling reel clamped to the port-hand
pushpit. After Martin's fine Sheppard's Pie lunch we were all too full for another feast, so we voted
to have it for breakfast instead.... Q set the fillets to marinate overnight in spices (bought in the
medina in Marrakech!). Breakfast was a fine feast of grilled fillets, served with roasted peppers
and scrambled eggs. Mmmmm.
Still no email connection over our satellite phone, so Mark spends a good deal of time contacting
the Iridium support team trying to sort out the email server problems... most frustrating.
24hour run to 12.00GMT = 155 NMiles
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