The "Windwalker"

The Daily Log -- May, 2005
Date -
Position
Heading
Made Good
Daily Log Comments
Sun, May 1
29:53N
81:18W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0530, flat, near calm, very light NW air, high thin overcast, mid 60s. Quite a change from last night. That was one hell of a storm. Sponged bilge of a quart that was blown in at companionway. Amas dry. Almost all gear is stowed and secured. Into town at 1015, Internet, club, Judy's for beans and collards, Spyder's and met her "girls", back to the boat in drizzle at 1745. Started the genset and charged very low batteries for 2 hours.
Mon, May 2
29:53N
81:18W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0645, flat, breeze NE 3kts, high thin overcast, mid 60s. Weather and wind forecast not good for Wed-Fri sailing.. maybe.. Saturday maybe. Ashore at 0900, COA, Judy's, P.O., a letter from Mom, and back to the harbor, stopped for coffee with Phillip and Lorna on the Evergreen. Back ashore about 1430, to COA to send an E, Judy's to show Mom's picture, to Spyder's and back to boat by 1830. Kathleen, Walt and James visited to see how I had rigged the parachute sea anchor.
Tue, May 3
29:53N
81:18W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0500, flat, breeze NE 3kts, clear, mid 60s. Woke early. Weather and wind forecast bleak of getting out of here this week on a S or SW wind, and funds are as bleak until the 11th. What to do? Still no word on insurance settlement. Saw Megan at her office. She sent insurance another email...for what good it will do??? Stopped by internet cafe and Lynn made a publisher presentation of my Mizpah page and printed it in color. Returned to boat at 1430 and found that a boat close to me had bumped when a power boat going up channel plowed a 5 foot wake. No damage except maybe a little traded paint. Damn, I have to get out of here, more dangerous than at sea. Phil and Lorna (Evergreen) visited and we watched the Quiet Man. Coast Guard came by and gave safety inspection, said I should have another B1 fire extinguisher as a safety measure.
Wed, May 4
29:53N
81:18W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0600, light chop, breeze ESE 7kts, overcast, mid 60s, light constant drizzle. Charged batteries again until sunup, watching movie ran them down. I went to COA at 0900, posted my itinerary and links to FIR, chatted on the web with the Firbies, Sara, Zaka, Old Geo., Chief, Lana, Rene for 2 hours, had free lunch at COA, then past Judy's, then closed the P.O. box and bank account here in St. Augustine today, netted $10 cash. Drizzle continuing and I waited in the marina lounge for 2 hours, then dinghied out and aboard at 1500. Read some, and plotted courses and waypoints the rest of the afternoon.

New Snail Mail Address: Bob Hardison, 14559 W. Riverview, Post Falls, Idaho 83854
My brother will forward it to me when I am able to receive it.

Thur, May 5
29:53N
81:18W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0300, flat calm, part clear, high 60s. Woke too early, coffee, smoke, up 2 hours. Back to bed, and finally slept again for 2 hours until 0800. Overcast, not raining, still. Raining from 0930 on. 1030 COA, club noon meeting, back to boat. Napped, read, fixed dinner, set weather frequencies in SSB receiver.
Fri, May 6
29:53N
81:18W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Anchored
0615, light chop, high overcast, low 60s. Windy all night, gusting to 20 kts. A lot to do today. Laundry, shower, COA and net update, Judy's. She came back out to the boat with me to get propane jug, and then to Barnacle Bills for Menorcan clam chowder for lunch. On out to Wallyworld for propane, bananas and apples. I napped in the lounge and then on to Spyder's, she got a little teary, Judy showed there later and brought me back across the bridge and she and I goodbyed. Back aboard about 1830 and I did final stowing of jerry cans and genset in the amas and then scrubbed at stained areas of deck and cockpit. Ready to leave and had dinner by 2000. Wind and harbor calm.
Sat, May 7
29:53N
81:18W
St. Augustine
Harbor
Bound for Ireland
0545, Flat calm, clear, low 60s. Just before sun up the stern wheeler Ticonderoga northbound steamed up channel and passed under the Bridge of Lions. Light breeze is backing to a westerly. I waited until slack water about 0900, then hauled 1st anchor. Phil came aboard and helped me haul the 2nd and went with me to the fuel dock to tie up. Fuel tanks full, $37.75, 15.8 gal., 50 gal on board. Loaded bicycle and left, clearing Bridge of Lions at 1030 opening. Anchored north anchorage to stow all unneeded lines, bring dinghy aboard, scraped and fold it, and wash down everything. I had a bitch of a time getting the dinghy aboard, a hundred pounds of grass and water on its bottom. Lost glasses and lighter overboard doing it. Breeze SW 5 kt. Made lunch and headed for sea at 1400. Started motor sailing about 1830 making about 5 kts on 3/4 genny and main 35'° into a SE 10 kt wind. Dozed in the cockpit through the night getting maybe 4 hours sleep.
Sun, May 8
30:22N, 80:01W
Bound for Bermuda0500, 6ft seas, clear, mid 60s. Woke to the sails gybing, Wind veered to SW. Had a time of it resetting sails on new course in the dark and heavy seas. On st'bd tack the rest of the day, heading 100. Spent much of the day below dozing, letting Otto von Helm maintain course. Seas built to 10 feet until about 1600 then by sundown wind was down and waves 2-4 feet. Nothing in sight all day. Port tack, 085 heading. Went below and bed at 2030 and slept through the night.
Mon, May 9
30:26N, 78:23W
Bound for Bermuda0500, 2 ft seas, clear, mid 60s. Woke after a full night sleep. Changed to st'bd tack, 085 heading, wind light, making about 3 kts. Ran engine to charge batteries to feed Otto. Sun-up was hazy and deck was covered with light dust this morning, from Texas or Kansas??? Wind picked up to 10 kts, running off the wind at about 5-6 kts under genny and mizzen. Tried running genny and main wing and wing but the 1/2 kt gain wasn't worth the bother at the helm. Easy day running down wind. Charged batteries from 1900-2000. Finished the Menorcan clam chowder for dinner.
Tue, May 10
29:53N, 76:23W
Bound for Bermuda0600, 2 ft seas, clear, mid 60s. Very light W wind all night, slept most of it. Went on port tack 083° heading. Flying fish in cockpit. Motor sailed and charged batteries 0600-1000. Wind veered to NE, set genny and main, beat to windward making 4 kts. Wind died complete about 1115. Furled main and genoa and motored on heading 085 making 6kts. Nothing but long NE swells. About 1600 the wind began to veer more easterly. Motored until 1745, set genny and main on heading 135° ghosting at 2-3 kts. Doused sails at 2200 and motored on 083 at 1500 rpm making about 3 kts and went to bed.
Wed, May 11
30:12N, 74:39W
Bound for Bermuda0600, seas flat, clear, mid 60s. Motored into very light E wind all night, slept most of it. Clouds on east horizon, maybe some wind?? Nothing, swells glass smooth. Two terns winged by. Stopped engine as port tank ran out, switched to stbd. Did maintenance for an hour and resumed motoring, 25 gal fuel remaining, 400 nm, still 500 to Bermuda. A little ENE breeze came up at 1430 so I killed the engine and hung the rags again on heading 135° making 2 kts. About 1600 the breeze came up a bit and on heading 130° making 3+ kts. At sundown trimmed the sails and sailing hard on the wind 35° off at 5 kts on heading 118°. Wind died complete at 2200, doused genoa, hove to under mizzen and went to bed.
Thur, May 12
30:14N, 73:49W
Bound for Bermuda0600, seas like mill pond, some swell, clear, mid 60s. Lost 6 nm to westerly current during night. Motored into very light ENE air to charge batteries and regain the loss. About 1100 I set the rags. Trimmed and tinkered with them and found the boat balances very well in light air holding a close hauled wind course within 5° without benefit of Otto von Helm, making 1-2 kts on 2-3 kt air. It has been a lazy, lanquid day. about 1000 I sighted a tanker bound for Florida 2 klicks south, the first sighting in 3 days. Sailing on a wind course all day has saved the batteries, still full charged. It seems I relied too heavily on Otto the first 3 days instead of my own sailing skills and what I designed the aft mast rig to do. At sundown we have made about 40nm northing in the last 10 hours and the wind has veered about 30° south. If it continues to veer during the night I can stay on this wind course tack setting through the night and tomorrow.
Fri, May 13
30:53N, 73:54W
Bound for Bermuda0600, sea even flatter than yesterday, clear, mid 60s. Light air backed north, on port tack wind course 090 on rhumb line to Bermuda. Motored for an hour. Light air has raised hell with ETA BERMUDA taking a week from St. Augustine .. still have a week to go (460nm) at this rate .. Barely making 1 kt to stay ahead of the 1/2 kt west setting current. Scrubbed decks and neatened topside the rest of the morning. Wind died at noon so motored until 1600, set sails on 090 course in a cat's breath of wind. About 1400 it became overcast with haze, the barometer is 31.9 and rising. I am right in the middle of a big assed high pressure doldrum. At sundown it was dead calm, so I furled the main and genny, leaving the mizzen to weathercock the boat while it drifted during the night. I was in bed reading about 2030 when it started to rain, then the squall hit. I motored into the wind, a pitch black night and I couldn't see to set sails, so I took the mizzen down, secured topsides, and went back to bed with Otto watching the helm.
Sat, May 14
31:03N, 72:54W
Bound for Bermuda0600, seas 5-7 feet, clear, mid 60s. Slept fitfully through the night, up to check every hour on Otto. At first light had coffee and brushed my teeth, then set sails slogging to windward close hauled heading 045° making 3-5 kts. I experimented with various sail settings, depowering the main and genny to 1/3, and finally, at about 0915, for the first time setting the three foresails together, set the jib at 1/3 also. It all balances well, all three sails are pulling nicely about 35° off the wind. Held heading all day to get a better tack to Bermuda. This is the 5th day of easterly headwinds, right on the nose and no end in sight. The prevailing wind this time of year is supposed to be S or SW pushing boats to Bermuda and beyond. The boat has been on the same wind course for 10 hours without adjustment, that's balance.
Sun, May 15
32:03N, 72:21W
Bound for Bermuda0600, seas flat, clear, high 60s. A tanker southbound passed ahead at sunup. Finally a light southerly breeze, barely enough for steerageway. The light wind veered during the night and the wind course sail set followed it around. By 0900 the course had settled on 098°, a close reach on a SE breeze making good 2 1/2 to 3 kts, another slow lazy day, but bound direct to Bermuda. Opened all hatches and aired the amas. Took a bucket bath in the heat of the day. Absolutely gorgeous afternoon, sea quiet, temperature and breeze just right for lazying, clear and bright. A school of about 10 spotted porpoise played at the bows for about 30 minutes. The air is dying at 1800, hasn't been much all day. At 1900 the catamaran Catana III from Belgium motored by on the way to the Azores, with a crew of four. Wind picked up at sundown making 5kts for 2 hours. Shortened sail at 2200 to half genny and mizzen and went to bed.
Mon, May 16
32:26N, 70:o2W
Bound for Bermuda0600, wind southerly 5 kts, seas 2 ft beam to, part cloudy, high 60s. Cabin battery low, motored 2 hours, making 5+ kts. Stopped engine at 0830. No wind, fiddled with sails but could not hold heading. Battery was not full charged, so I motored another hour, set Otto on the helm and fixed breakfast. After eating I called Otto off watch. About noonthirty, it downpoured and wind veered westerly and astern but very light 1-2 kt, maybe enough to keep heading. Tried wing and wing, no help. At 1430 a squall coming up astern made my decision, doused the sails and motored for an hour with Otto at the helm, heading 102°. I calculate that I have 18 gal fuel left. The SE wind freshened and we are back on a stbd close hauled tack heading 102°. Hove to at midnight after a good run the rest of the day, and went to bed.
Tue, May 17
32:14N, 71:13W
Bound for Bermuda0600, wind SE 7 kts, seas 3 ft quartering, part cloudy, high 60s. Can't make heading into the wind, and either tack takes me away. Motored 0700-1000 pounding into seas on heading 118 at 4kts, taking me back closer to the rhumb line and a better heading to sail. Set sails on wind course close hauled heading of 105° making 3-4 kts on a 4-6kt breeze. Spent a portion of the morning setting up an Excel fuel log spreadsheet to better keep track of fuel usage and range remaining.

I have a lot to learn about tweaking this aft mast rig to get best performance. The helm is well balanced, nearly neutral, holding wind course unattended for as long as 24 hours. It sails well hard on the wind in light air, but as yet I HAVEN'T had an opportunity to sail it off the wind or in stiff blows. That will come. Motor sailed 2100-2115 at 6+ kts to charge batteries then stbd tank started running out. enough charge to make it through the night. To bed.

Wed, May 18
32:27N, 68:37W
Bound for Bermuda0300, wind SE 4 kts, seas 1-2 ft quartering, part cloudy, high 60s. Crossed astern of motoring sailboat to stbd at distance 2 nm. First sighting since Catana. Motored 0700-0900, ran stbd tank dry, on reserve, both jerry cans, 10 gallons, 184 nm to Gibbs Hill light. Reworked Excel spreadsheet, it seems I have been burning 1.5 litre/hour rather than 1 litre/hour as derived from the Yanmar manual. This leaves me with about 24 hours run time to Bermuda which is still 175 nm distant, 3-4 days at present progress. Shut engine down, becalmed, hardly a breath of air, just drifting, sea glassy. Ran genset 3 1/2 hours to charge batteries and run vacuum. Opened cabin sole and vacuumed out about 2 gallons of bilge water from around the tanks. It back flowed from bilge pump, need check valves. Pulled and cleaned speed transducer. Drifted 1nm backward by noon. Watched a movie while the genset was running, used a little of the 120v output to charge the computer. About 1400 a cat's breath started coming up and the sky began to cloud. Shut off the genset at 1530 and set the genoa, with just enough gain from slating with the swells to make heading, with maybe a 1/4 kt of air. At 1800 had gained back the loss of a nautical mile. No progress today. The sea is glass at 1900. At 2000 I set the genoa, wind ripples to the horizon, making about 1/2 kt. It didn't last, but we take what God gives us and thank Him for it. Hove to under mizzen at 2130 and went to bed.
Thur, May 19
32:23N, 68:10W
Bound for Bermuda0600, wind NNE by N - 4-6 kts, seas 1 ft, mostly clear, high 60s. Drifted a couple of nm south during the night, not losing any distance. FINALLY, at dawn, a fair wind 4-6 kts, Force 2 on the Beaufort Wind Force Scale, on a port tack beam reach making 4 kts on heading 107°. Click the Beaufort link to read a description of the sea condition that I see. Otto has the helm and is working easy. Sail setting balanced nicely. Wind picked up a little at 1000, making 5 kts. At 1100 wind came to Force 4 veering to NE by N. I shortened genoa and main running a 120° course to take the strain off and ride easier quartering the waves a little up wind, making up to 7 1/2 kts. Charged batteries with genset at 1200, went below, made coffee and watched a movie. By 1345 the seas are 3-6 ft nearly on the beam. Shut off genset at 1400. By 1600 the wind had veered to NE so I shortened sail again to reduce rigging strain and pounding. This reduced speed by a couple of knots, but still 5 and a rough ride. Ran engine 2000-2200 on heading 100. Set jib 1/3 and hove to hard on wind off port bow working to windward about 1 kt.
Fri, May 20
32:04N, 67:18W
Bound for Bermuda0600, wind E - 4-6 kts, seas 3 ft, mostly clear, high 60s. Wind veered dead E right on my nose. On stbd tack heading 045° making 5 kts northing. Swell making for a rough ride. Motored for 1/2 hour getting sails set and on heading after being hove to. Big ketch on port tack crossed my bow at 0700, distant 1/2 nm. I went on a port tack, set the heading, went below to fix another cup of coffee when WHAM ------

DISASTER - 0800 - DISMASTED - A Norseman backstay fitting failed, crystalized in the threads. 116 miles from Bermuda - vicinity of 32° 05'N, 67° 16'W - drifting and securing what I can. All wreckage, mast and sails on board and secured by noon. I still need to get antenna from end of mast so I can put out a MAYDAY.. I got the antenna and mounted it above the cabin. On the first Mayday call I got an answer from a boat just behind me over the horizon, the BABSAN from Wisconsin. They came alongside, went through a real hassle siphoning 4.5 gal of fuel for me from their tank. I calculate it will give me just almost enough if the wind will let up. The BABSAN went on ahead as they are faster. They notified Bermuda who notified the folks back home. There is another boat behind me about 5 miles, the WEED.

Sat, May 21
32:11N, 66:22W
Bound for Bermuda0600, wind SE - 4-6 kts, seas 3 ft, cloudy, high 60s. Wind veered SE during the night. Motoring at 4 kts, quartering into the waves off the stbd bow, choppy, heading 104°. Uneventful night, slept off and on. Otto von Helm is on watch. No sighting of WEED during the night. By 1300 waves have built to 4-5 ft, the wind out of SE Force 3-4. Force 5 is predicted for this evening. By 1430 the wind has backed to ESE. 1630 -- Doing my final navigation calculations, if the fuel holds out, I should arrive in St. George in 10 hours, 0230 Bermuda time.

Fuel ran out at 1915 hrs, 32-12-35N, 65-13-35W, drift heading 050° at 1/2 kt. Contacted Bermuda Harbor radio and fuel is on the way. FTA 2200. Got 15 gallons, delivered by the FROLIC. I spilled some fuel on the deck, real slick. Seawater and Deft got most of it until morning. Underway by 2230. Misty but can see the lights of the southwest end of Bermuda. Sea rough as wind is Force 3-4 and rising. Motoring toward Bermuda.

Sun, May 22
32:12N, 65:20W
Bound for Bermuda0300, wind SE-NE - 35-50 kts, seas to 15 ft with an occasional 20, cloudy, high 60s. Bastard weather front storm lasted until 0900 then started dying down to Force 3-4, Mast overhanging bow made it a bitch to steer, digging into the waves. At one point, being fatigued, and Otto von Helm unable to handle the yawing, I just let the boat drift, made coffee and rested for a while, and the boat floated up and over the waves like a cork in a bathtub without taking any waves on deck. Motored on to St. George. Just before entering the harbor, a rain squall like a cow peeing on a flat rock hit and lasted about 45 minutes with near zero visibility, then clear and beautiful. Entered St. George harbor at 1245, waited to get to the customs dock for an hour, then cleared customs by 1415. I have a 21 day clearance permit to get repairs accomplished with extensions if needed. Lorna and Phil from the Evergreen met me at the customs dock. They motored in last Thursday, motoring most all the way. They left St. Augustine a day after I did. Off to notify everyone I have arrived. Struck out, everything closed, it's Sunday in Bermuda. Jim and John of the FROLIC, who brought me the fuel, collected their jerry cans and refused any payment for fuel or time. Phil helped me set anchor. Heated some soup and went to bed at 1745.
Mon, May 23
32:22N, 64:40W
Bermuda Harbor0700, wind NW - 3 kts, fluffy clouds, high 60s. Slept 11 hours, must have been tired. I will get some pictures of this dog's mess later today, but first thing is to get the dinghy unfolded and in the water so I can go to the internet cafe and let you all know that the Ol' Fart is OK. After that I will spend a few days arguing with myself about how to go about the salvage and rebuild. Most obvious right now is to re-rig as a conventional cutter, as I have most all of what is needed in hand or can be modified. I went ashore at 1000 to the internet cafe, set the updated log up on the web and emailed all on my list. I called Judy in St. Augustine, so glad to hear her voice and report in. Spyder is not doing well. They will get the results of the spinal tap today. They have said it is definitely MS. Dan, the voice on the Bermuda Radio who helped so much through all the difficulty, stopped by to say hello and glad to see me. I went back ashore after napping in the afternoon and made contact with Capt. Leon Raynor whose boat, the Sally-Bum-Bum, I brought out to Bermuda last year. We had coffee together and I now have his local knowledge to obtain what may be needed to effect repairs. I returned aboard at 2030, let out another 35 ft. of anchor rode, had dinner and went to bed at 2130.
Tue, May 24
32:22N, 64:40W
Bermuda Harbor0545, wind SW - 5-10 kts, fluffy clouds, high 60s. All slept out. I went ashore at 0800 to internet cafe, located showers, then caught bus to Hamilton to meet with Leon. I went on his afternoon cruise as mate. Leon gave me $80. It was a party of 5 adults and about a dozen kids, ages 8 to 15 months. Leon puts on an entertaining show the last hour of the cruise and gives good value, touring the many islands and bays of the west end. I returned to St.George by bus and to the boat about 1800. Tied up loose tops of genoa and jib that had been dragging in the water. Installed the bridle to the anchor rode to stop the boat from sailing to and hunting for the anchor as the wind has come up. Ran the genset about an hour to charge the batteries. The dinghy motor is on board to lighten the dinghy just in case the chop increases durimg the night.
Wed, May 25
32:22N, 64:40W
Bermuda Harbor0615, wind SW - 10 kts, high clouds, low 70s. After consideration of damages and what I have left to work with, the only option apparent is to re-rig as a conventional cutter, recutting the sails to suit. I may be able to begin next week after I make arrangements to get the mast off the boat and on land. Barometer 29.9 and falling, wind rising, so I stayed on the boat. I am a bit discouraged this morning, so many adverse things have happened the last two years. And now I don't seem to be able figure out the next move. Leon wants me to crew for him tomorrow for an early cruise at 0900. I need to get confirmation of the insurance from Florida before anything major can be started. The good side is the boat is well stocked, I have a place to eat and sleep, and friends everywhere. Money is the key issue, and somehow that will resolve. Finally decided that the place to start was to "inventory" what needs to be done and obtained, estimating costs. I did this, and a wild-assed guess estimate, salvaging as much as possible wherever possible, the total is about $4500 and a lot of work. But it can be done in a period of a week or two. I need to go ashore and find out how to receive mail here, and go to immigration to find out what is needed to extend the time here in Bermuda if needed. I have a number of options. I have been offered two positions to skipper two boats with inexperienced owners, one to the Azores, and one back to the Carolinas. These could generate some bucks, the Azores trip would take about 3 weeks and to the US a week. But both would delay refitting and my window of opportunity to get out of Bermuda, as hurricane season begins soon.

Went ashore at 1400 to get data for mail and permit extension. When I got back to the dinghy it had popped 3 rivets and was leaking like a sieve. Pulled it up on the rocks and walked a mile to a hardware store to get some bolts to replace the rivets. While I was trying to work on it a cloud burst total soaked me and I had to give up until 1800 when the storm let up. Fixed it and made it out aboard about 1930. Ran the engine for an hour to charge the batteries. Dried out and heated cabin while it downpoured again. Hung the wet clothes out to rinse the salt water from them. Can of tuna and ramen soup for dinner and watched a movie.

Temporary Snail Mail Address -- "Bob Hardison, % St. George Post Office, General Delivery, Water Street, St. George GEO5, Bermuda"

Thur, May 26
32:22N, 64:40W
Bermuda Harbor0600, wind SSW - 10-25 kts, overcast, high 60s, raining. Ashore at 0700, bus to Hamilton. The 0900 cruise was canceled so I went to immigration and got the form to extend. Called Leon again at 1100, a cruise with 15 youngsters at 1330, then a sunset cruise with 3 to St. George. We picked up a salvaaged 14 ft aluminum boom for free on the way. May also be able to get a gooseneck and halyard winch for the same price. Arrived in St. George at 2130, had a burger and slaw, and aboard at 2230.
Fri, May 27
32:22N, 64:40W
Bermuda Harbor0630, wind W - 5 kts, part cloudy, high 60s. Leon came alongside with the Sally-Bum-Bum at 0730 and we put the 14' boom on board the Windwalker. It may not be long enough. He also brought breakfast out. He cast off at 0745 bound to his mooring near Hamilton. Phil came by at 0915 to check on me. He and Lorna will probably stay another week until leaving for the Azores. I took the dinghy to a little sand beach behind the hulk and finished plugging another leak. Vacuumed the water from the bilges while genset charged batteries. Otto von Helm has decided to work again, I thought I would have a repair bill for that too. In any case I still have a dog's mess of problems to resolve. To the dinghy dock and internet at 1630, returned to boat at 1730. Went ashore again at 1915 to catch the meeting at the Methodist church and nobody showed up. I waited until 2100, then returned to the harbor, stopping by the Evergreen for a chat and coffee.
Sat, May 28
32:22N, 64:40W
Bermuda Harbor0600, wind W 5 kts, part cloudy, high 60s. Phil came by at 0730 to give me some direction, priority setting, and to cheer me. Much appreciated. First priority is to get mast standing. Went ashore at 0815, nothing today with Leon, maybe tomorrow. Leon will get gooseneck and halyard winch. Located sail loft, $75/hr. Returned at 0930 and cleaned cabin. Reworked Fuel Log Spreadsheet to obtain truer consumption figures and determine best engine operating rpm for economy and range. Ashore at 1300 to get gas, 5 gal, $25, internet to take the Windwqalker pages down, and check email. Wished Phil and Lorna GodSpeed and a good run to the Azores. Back at 1600. Designed and salvaged wood for mast step.
Sun, May 29
32:22N, 64:40W
Bermuda Harbor0530, wind W 3 kts, part cloudy, high 60s. Phil and Lorna on the EVERGREEN left this morning at 0700. Ashore at 0745 to check with Leon, doesn't need me, back to boat at 0830. Cut the pieces for the mast step amd glued the first layer by 1000, 2nd layer glued and clamped by 1100, looking good. Finished installing wiring for the mast from aft to fwd location at 1630. SW 15-20 kt wind has chop inside the reef about 2-3 feet. Planed, routed and sanded the new mast step, looks good and fits well. Vacuumed up all the sawdust and planer chips, put tools away, washed out some socks, fixed dinner and went to bed. A good productive day. Ran engine for one hour at dusk.
Non, May 30
32:22N, 64:40W
Bermuda Harbor0500, gentle breeze NW 2 kts, clear, high 60s. Woke early hurting in my bones. Coffee, aspirin and laid back down until 0615. Today I have to concentrate on getting the deck clear, the sails off the furlers, the mast stripped, and the mast step installed. Adrian from the MARICARMEN helped me for a couple of hours until noon to get the anchor up, and the boat alongside the lee side of the hulk, the furlers off the boat, the sails removed and rolled and ready to go to the sail loft for recut and repair. We then took a break for a couple of hourw until the sun cooled down. It appears that I can salvage enough to make 2 furlers and enough cable for the fore and backstays. After I went back out I realized the old hulk is the remains of a 3-master that went aground 100 years ago. Adrian came back at 1500 and we got the spreaders, and fittings off the mast and moved it aft about 6 feet. I finished coiling all the cable and cleared the decks. Engine 2000-2100.
Tue, May 31
32:22N, 64:40W
Bermuda Harbor0545, cool E 2 kt breeze, high cloudy overcast, high 60s. Bucket bath and rinsed some clothes in the wash water. Laid out all the cables on the hulk deck to measure them. Measured locations of chain plates to calculate stay and shroud lengths. Ashore ar 0830 to check with Leon, nothing today, Internet, and back to boat at 0930. Drizzling. Measured all the cables. Calculated cable lengths in Excel. Need 4 new or salvage lengths 43 ft of 5/16" 1x19 SS cable for uppers and stays. Engine 1615-1715. Wind veered SE in afternoon 15 kts, water relatively quiet in lee of hulk. Made good progress today in spite of the rain. Potatoes, onions and corned beef for dinner.

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