Captain Scott ~ Tuesday, October 23, 2007

At 1300 we reached the half way point 1132 miles traveled and 1132 to get to Sri Lanka. At about the exact same time we turned the engine off after 30hrs of powering through flat calm seas. Now 10 kts of wind on the beam propel us at 7 kts on seas with only ripples. Just lovely. In the last 30hours each person has done their laundry. Kendra only needed 75 gallons of water to wash her 12 items.

After leaving the Gulf of Aden we have not seen one other ship. The water has taken on a deep blue purple color and the surface is alive with flying fish. Zillions of them ---mostly very small. This morning we found a flying fish in the cabin that had flown through the window last night. Also found on the deck were squid. We also have an adult dragon fly on board that was seen today for the first time---and where did he come from?

Captain Scott ~ Monday, October 22nd, 2007

After waving goodbye to the Augsburg, we had a pretty sail all night. Saturday morning found us 11 miles off the coast of Socotra, a large Yemen island. The wind failed and we had an entire day under engine passing Socotra. Sunset saw us by the island and clear into the Arabian Sea. We are now so far behind schedule that I set a course for Sri Lanka, by passing the Maldives. Galle was 1616 NM ahead and we had gone 615 since leaving Aden. Saturday night became our best sail of the trip - close reaching in smooth water at 9 kts. However, with sunrise Sunday came unsettled weather. Rain squalls kicked the seas up and the wind veered so we were no longer able to hold course. Beating again in rough water. Confused seas continually broke over the deck and we were all buttoned up. Close and sticky below with lots of motion.

Then suddenly we began to take on water. We picked up all the floorboards, removed drawers, emptied closets, inspected every thru-hull, and finally found the source - my old nemesis the forepeak. J boats in their wisdom put a watertight bulkhead behind the forepeak. Then they drilled a large hole in it to pass wiring forward. So we dropped al lsail, stopped the boat, turned downwind, and opened the forepeak hatch. And there was 3 ft of water sloshing around and pouring aft through the wiring conduit. Much to our chagrin and relief, we found the forepeak bilge pumphad been turned off. So with a flip of the switch our problem was solved. By Sunday night, the wind and sea had dropped making it a pleasant night. The wind has slowly decreased and now is 8-11 kts from 60 degrees. This makes a hard on the wind but moving effortlessly along at 6 kts. If Commanders weather is correct, we will be calmed by noon with at least 24 hours of motoring forecast.