Underway- Day sail passage
20 November 2005On our way, again. Left Bahia Santa Elena at 06300. Anchor windless motor failed just as the anchor swung at the surface. Captain had to pull it up with a line to the winch, the old fashion way, by hand.
Underway to the anchorage at Bahia Cocos or Playa Panama in the Golfito de Papagayo. As some may know, the winds of the Gulf of Papagayo are famed for being strong, 30 knots +. But we've had lots of experience in those kinds of conditions, so we are not too worried and we are moving through it before the worst of the season (December, January).
Worst news is that we've seen 4 dead Olive Rigley Turtles. Have to wonder if something has poisoned the old guys...no sign of other trama. Christopher, s/v Alaskason, even gave one CPR before it died when it was nearly dead--lung still had a little air, pink tongue, but no luck. Whoa! not sure I'd ever do that! You can imagine THAT dinner time conversation.
Good news, Captain reminds us that when things fail, start solving the problems with the simplest, easiest and least effort potential solution, and if that fails then go from there up the ladder to total replacement. At first he thought the motor of the anchor windless had died, but he saw no smoke or smelled anything foul. So, he played with the electrical connections and it WORKed! thank heavens.
This is a daysail, so we hope to arrive in eight hours, traveling 40 miles. The girls are doing school so they can get the Thanksgiving LONG weekend off. I am on the Dramamine; so lots of naps are ahead for me. And John, he has raised the MainSail and is ready for Wind... but not too much wind...