Day 63 – A Quick Update

2 May, 07 – 11.58    
15.1564N,46.3394W

Hi everybody,
The weather has been rough and squally (rainy) for the past 5 days and I've had a few large waves break into the cabin while I've been trying to re-fix the rudder, and this is the first time I have been able to dry out the equipment enough to update the website.
The proper log pages will be posted here within the next few hours. For now here is a quick update.
Awful rowing conditions. Confused seas and shifting winds, Waves from all directions, NE, East and SE.and 10-15ft waves occasionally breaking over the stern. The wind varying from 15 to 25 knots, but thankfully in the right direction (SW).
Progress has been ok and I've been fighting to maintain course. As a result, the rudder has started to play up again (found out on the 26th) and needs to be re-secured. I think the main holding pin is starting to give away. Been re-fixing the leak caused by the mooring ring on the stern. My fix to the leak caused by the steering cable is still holding. Got nearly thrown overboard when hit in the night by a wave. I had my safety harness on fortunately. But the cable for the safety harness needs more slack. I've put out two additional lifelines from the stern. About 20m of line, trailing thru the water. Camera tripod washed off the cabin roof and antenna for the VHF broken by a wave. Will have to be replaced, but I haven't found any shops yet closeby.
Water: I have 2 weeks of water left. Could not fix the water maker in the bad weather. If conditions ease will give it another try. If not, will be in the shipping lanes by then and will try and get water from a passing ship. Will be rationing a bit more till then. Food: stores are ok. Will be replacing the meal packs with protein shakes for the last few days if I run short. Last bit of coffee left. Fruit tins over (disaster!).
In other news, wildlife appears and re-appears with breaks in the weather. Sharks and Dolphins continue hunting fish next to the boat, schools of Dorado, Bonito and Grouper.
Well, 2 months at sea and have not seen a single human being nor a shower for 60 days!
Milestones achieved:
Crossed below the 1000 nautical miles to Antigua mark
Reached 45W, clock moved 1 hour backward from GMT. Now at GMT -3.
2 Months at sea complete!
Estimated arrival time in Antigua: June 15th. (45 days).
Pls check back in a few hrs for the complete log including the past few days. Thanks for the messages,
B

Squall, high wind, rough sea