Friday 14th December
0445 Friday morning and 77 miles from our waypoint on the northern end of St.Lucia!! It has been yet another wet and squally night, winds gusting to 40+ kts.
We are developing a major problem, and there is nothing we can do. The top bearing on the rudder shaft has either come loose or is collapsing, we'll have a look in the morning. Either way, it is a dockyard job to repair. I don't know about any parts needed. Perhaps they are available through an agent in Martinique, if there is one. It is very unlikely that any dealer would carry this bearing in stock. The rudder is moving sideways in its housing by about 10mm, just not what you want, but at least its not 1500 miles out in the ocean.
On a happier note, we are booked into The Village Inn & Spa hotel in Rodney Bay for tonight & tomorrow - long showers and dry beds!! It will feel incredible - although we may not sleep on a bed that doesn't rock and roll!
There is another boat about 10 miles ahead, and his mast is doing its best to fall out, he broke the forestay that tensions it in a forward direction. He is motoring in but is low on fuel. We will talk to him in the morning as we now have 60L of diesel available in cans.
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2 comments:
To the rockers an rollers !
With a wing and a prayer and our fingers and toes crossed - we wish you a safe landing.
All our love
Maggie x
Looks like you are in! From the WCC Site, you were very close in arrival time to Tragedy struck Yacht, Avocet. Have a great break, enjoy the sunshine and the Carribbean Sea. Paul
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