Day 48 – Milestones, Course, Martinique, Barbados

17 Apr, 07 – 21.30    
16.2641N,38.0922W
24 hr progress: 24.0 Nautical Miles
Distance to Antigua: 2499 Nautical Miles
Distance left to Antigua (straight line): 1356 Nautical Miles ( 2508 km) (1 NM = 1.85 km)
Wave height: 7-8 ft, Winds: 10-15 knots E - NE, Bearing: 270-300 degrees.

Only 104 nautical miles more to the halfway point!! Yay!
At the current average of 25 miles a day, I am on schedule to reach the half way point on day 52 (Apr 21).
Although I have fixed the rudder back on, I am effectively without steering, as I have lashed the rudder in the central position to minimize movement and stress on the hinges.
I've lost about 2 weeks of progress due to the problems with the rudder & the leak, so I am desperately trying my best to average 25 miles per day. This is tough, as I am steering only with the blades right now.
There's a debate as to which is the best route to Antigua. A straight line route, which slopes down from La Gomera (28N) to Antigua (17N) or a slightly more curved route that follows the wind. The curved route leads further south, past Antigua to 16N following a more SE approach.
The Pilot Charts for April and May show the North Equatorial Current flowing northwards around the 20th Parallel at around 0.5 to 1 knot. I confirmed this by looking at Graham Walters' progress log for that same latitude during April.
Day 69 - Apr 13 19:03:54N 49:01:08W 37 miles (59 km) (32 n/miles)
Day 68 - Apr 12 19:02:42N 48:27:25W 46 miles (74 km) (40 n/miles)
Day 67 - Apr 11 19:11:38N 47:46:01W 45 miles (72 km) (39 n/miles)
Day 66 - Apr 10 19:14:17N
It seems that at 19N, fair westerly progress is possible, but Graham must have experienced some trouble in making any headway south towards 17N - either pushed NE by the current or SE winds.
Taking the winds and current into account, my route plan is to continue SW to 15N and then head W using the prevailing easterly winds at 45W. Finally, making a SE approach to Antigua from 55W using the SSE winds and WNW current.
Although I have stated that the end destination will be Antigua, my crossing will be officially complete once I have crossed the longitude at Barbados, which just is before Antigua.
As I am rowing without a proper rudder and steering is difficult, I am keeping my options open for landfall at any of the other islands to the south of Antigua, such as Martinique, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Dominica, Montserrat, Guadeloupe.
Just finished another moonless session of rowing, as I write this. Progress has been sluggish all day. More like rowing thru a sea of honey. The winds have also been fickle all day, swinging between E and NE, leaving the sea a bit confused.
Off for dinner (more soup and pasta!) and then on to rowing for another three hours before bedtime. Hoping to see some shooting stars tonight as it's the season of the April Lyrids, which peak on the 22nd of April.
Thanks to all for the messages. Keep them coming, they make a huge difference out here,
B
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Endless water desert . Choppy and confused sea today

The Map Office. Inside the cabin. Impossible to sit upright with the 2ft ceiling

Another day, another spectacular sunset...