Marquesas Inbound Day 15

Hi everyone,
At noon today we were at 07 58S 124 33W steering 260M, sailing under single-reefed main and full yankee at 4.5 knots.  The wind was 10G14 from the NE.  Our noon to noon distances were 103nm by the log and 112nm over the ground.  Overall we've logged 3024nm and 3344nm respectively.  Our distance to go is 859nm.

Late yesterday afternoon

Since gybing onto stbd tack yesterday morning we headed NW to get closer to our route's rhumb line.  We gybed since the wind backed ENE.  It was supposed to stay there then go back ESE later today.  Instead in the early hours last night it went all the way around to the NE which had us heading W.

The wind has stayed NE since and has remained light.  Hence our low mileages today.  But today's a bright sunny day and very pleasant.

3mm thick scaling

Yes, today was pleasant until the head (toilet) ceased functioning.  Oh dear, a service was on the schedule for New Zealand.  Never mind, the pump was removed after cutting the hoses in and out.  Disassembling revealed thick scaling throughout the pump, including on the ron-return valves and their housings.  While I chipped the scaling off the housing Nicki cleaned the valves in a hot solution of citric acid.

I had expected to find a split diaphram or valve but they all appear find.  All just badly fouled.   Tomorrow morning we'll go for a deep dive in the cockpit locker to extract spare hose for refitting.  In the mean time 'alternative methods' are being used!

Citric acid for the delicate non-return valves

Cleaned Up

Below is the usual screenshot.  Still waiting for the orange (wind) to catch us.

PredictWind GPS Tracking

Trust all's well where you are.