Sorry we have not communicated the last couple of days we have been adjusting to our new environment, the situation is:
Our Sat. noon position is 5 deg 20" N - 28deg 40" W. This puts us 320 nm above the equator and a little less than 2000 nm from the Azores. While making reasonable progress we've been having a rough time aboard. Winds have been variable 12 to 18 knotts with confused seas and very heavy rain squalls at times. This makes for difficult sailing, especially at night, and we're always wet from spray and/or rain. Today it has become cloudy and gray but we are all a little wind and sun burnt already. At least it's warm and the seas and sky are spectacular!
Finalmente is also having her typical new boat problems. You boat owners will be able to identify. The day before yesterday, right after the equator we lost the Generator this was right after we lost the auto pilot blew to compass failure. The generator became the most critical problem because it not only generates power for all the boats systems, (lights, Nav., communications, pumps, etc.) but is our only means of powering the watermaker. After working on it most of the day the team got it running.
The autopilot was not so lucky. We are now having to hand steer 24/7. Very tireing with not much hope of fixing before Azores. This changes our watch system to 2 persons up at all times with 4 hr watches. Liesure time is going to be hard to come by from now on getting enough rest and food will take alot more time than we had expected.
Next to fail was the Radar. Not as critical but nice to have, now we sail blind at night. We can't see the squalls coming or the feighters which come quizically enough, quite often.
We feel as if we are leaving the effects of the equtorial weather and entering the Atlantic trade winds. Should make for more consistent conditions and miles per day.
Ray, Randy and the crew of Finalimente
/EX