I have said many times that my schedule is now carved in marshmallow or jello. My departure was delayed a number of times - Customs wouldn’t let me sign out when I told them I was departing in 2 hours because they had my weapons, and 2 hours was too long to have them aboard before departure. So, I had to go back a 2nd time. Much to do before I could leave - so many loose things about needing stowed somewhere and somehow.
My mind was not the best when I arrived and started moving things, so I couldn’t remember things had been, and I had moved some things into the forward berth, not that it had room to spare! Then, a quick walk around the boat checking things before actually weighing anchor and my port light was out. It took me an hour to figure out where the fault was, and re-wire it. The rather expensive LED light was corroded and had to be pitched, replaced with a reg 12v incandescent bulb - glad I had a spare.
So it was about 730 when I weighed anchor and took a ride around the bay in the dark, testing the steering - both helm and autopilot. And then I called out Bermuda Radio, who had received my email thanking them, and I slowly crept out Town Cut, St George, Bermuda, into the open ocean.
I have since learned from the head of Bermuda Marine Service that my email was published in the Royal Gazette. Take a minute at the link below - it is a slow website - and read the second letter to editor down:
http://www.royalgazette.com/rg/Article/article.jsp?sectionId=75&articleId=7d9cbaf30030001
The steering troubles have returned, in a much more minor way. I believe at this time that I will be able to bleed it if I come into some calm waters. Will lower sails and motor in circles until I feel it is safe. Or even stop and bleed the cylinder. At first I was certain it was a bad case of weather helm- the boat is tuned to sail into the wind. (I knew a man years ago who took me for a ride on his boat, and it had bad weather helm. He said it was in case he fell overboard, and his wife MIGHT be able to get the boat back to him.) The rudder indicator showed 8-10 degrees port when the boat seemed to be going straight ahead. Now, I don’t know.
Today, I love this. The boat is rolling a lot and we are in a following sea of about 8-12 foot waves. I lowered the main last night to try to relieve the auto pilot of this’ weather helm’ situation. I think that the boat took a lot of knocking about during my ordeal and none of it was apparent in the bay in Bermuda. Lots more creaking noises make me think I broke a tab or 2 on some of the walls. We are doing a regular 6 knots, and it is very comfortable for me. I am not stressed out with rushing water, banging waves and all the loud noises that can keep me awake.
I wrote an email to the man in charge at Bermuda Radio, thanking them and copied the editor of the newspaper. I hope they edit and publish it. Those people have my deep gratitude, and the people of St George were wonderful to me. A man I have nodded to a few times, and spoke with while fueling up the other day, owns a prominent fishing boat, and rode by me Monday, and shouted out that he would be back with some fish for me. I figured it was the local con to force me to buy some fish. When I dinked into town the first time to Customs, he called me over to the boat, where he was cleaning wahoo, and made me a nice plate of butterfly-ed steaks. Would not take a penny. Wow. Just so kind - everyone there. Sandra at Bermuda Yacht Services, her son, Mark, who owns it, the boys at the Dink Club, the girl at the market who rang me up so many times.
Today, as I write this, I am over 1000 miles due east of Ft Lauderdale. It is my 3rd day at sea. I am getting my 100-120 miles a day in, and that pleases me a lot. The weather is to change to worse in 2 days, so it would be better further south. I jibed the boat earlier, but it had me headed too far east and not enough south so I opted to return to the earlier course, which has me hitting Puerto Rico, if I don’t head back east, but there are westerly winds predicted in 2 days, so I shall pick up some more easting.
I looked down at the car that the jib sheet runs through on the port side after jibing back, and the screw had come out and the pin in the center of the block was half out. Yesterday it was the top shackle on the main sheet block. You have to look at everything everyday, as wear and vibration causes havoc. I rigged a line to take the strain off the sheet and screwed it back in, but it definitely was worn from the beating I took when I lost my steering.
Going to start a list of work I want to do in St Maarten. I am going to Marigot instead of the Dutch side, as the French friend I made told me that I could save money checking in at a certain place vs. the Dutch govt check in. We shall see.
From St Marten, now - Dec 26
From sea - about 4th day out, a distant rain storm:
It is good practice, every morning after the sun has risen, to walk the deck to look for things out of place, broken, or wear. Also, you must find all of the flying fish which found their way to your deck during the night. (While transiting north, last year, one hit me in the face a night. It could easily put my eye out. A very hard head, with sharp, spikey 'wings' and flying with a lot of force.)
Gold on Blue-The sargasso weed floating on the morning sea, looks like woven gold, shimmering in the sunlight. (Will also clog up the thru-hulls and tear up a pump impellor.)
You might recall from Bermuda posts, my Canadian friends, Mack and Al. I only saw 2 sailboats and 2 container ships during 10 days at sea. The Canadians left 3 days before me, and I came upon them on my 8th day. They had encountered engine troubles, and needed oil, but when they learned that I had steering troubles, decided that it was safer to refuse it, and not risk a close encounter at sea.
Tired, smelly for sure, and needing a shave, I snapped this pic on my 9th day, early in the morning, before I remembered to take off my "headlight".
I have some nice pictures of my Christmas and will post later.
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