Day 569 [April 24/10] -- Good progress (back) as winds improve

Today's Report
April 24/10 0800 JST / 1700 local

Position:
00°39'S, 96°12'W (South Pacific Ocean, toward the Galápagos)


The winds improved as he tacked back to the east, putting him on a lightly engine-assisted broad reach with full genoa for most of the period. He made 108 nm toward port in the Galapagos, to attend to repairs of the steering system. 

Today at his morning call he had moved to within 370 nm of Puerto Ayora. At this rate he could be there in 3 1/2 days.

He's now back in the southern hemisphere.

***
He said the hydraulic leak had almost completely stopped, apparently due to strain being taken off the rudder due to the tack he is now on. He was able to get some sleep and sounded much better, with none of the fatigue we could hear in his voice yesterday after a largely sleepless night attending to the steering apparatus.

***
Distance to Puerto Ayora: 370 nm
Heading: 100
Reported boat speed: 4.0 kts (motoring)
Average boat speed. 4.5 kts
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 27.0° C
Barometer: 1005 hPa (steady)
Wind (from): 11-13 kts, SSE expected to be 7-11 SSE & S for next 19 hours
Current (from): E at 1.0 - 1.5 kt (unfavorable)
Engine rpms: 20 hrs, 1500 rpm
Generator: 0.0 hrs
Sails: Genoa 100%, staysail 0%, mainsail 1-pt reef

Position Map (click to enlarge)