Today's Report
So the strong prospect at this point is that NBSDIII will sail the entire distance back, adding another 10-12 days or so. Since yesterday Saito-san put 75 nm on the knot log under weakening wind conditions.
June 3/11 0800 JST
Position: 24°06'N, 177°12'W
Remaining to Yokohama finish: 2,389 nm / 8.8% (16 - 28 days)
No luck so far on the cooling water issue – in fact, the nature of the problem turned out to be worse than it originally seemed. The "split hose" involved is the engine exhaust hose which also carries the cooling water through the hull, by way of a sea cock, and out into the sea. The exhaust gases it also carries are very hot, and it seems likely, in consulting with Dave of Team Hawaii, that this cannot be fixed on the water.
Duct tape and glue cannot cope with the high levels of heat the hose carries, and Dave theorizes that the hose has become damaged internally as well, along with the impeller.
He dealt with this same problem on NBSDIII's first arrival in Hawaii – the main reason Saito-san stopped over last June – and that time it required a rebuild of the raw water pump.
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At 0900 this morning Saito-san called to say he had jibed to turn the boat on a more southerly heading of 240 degrees (see image). This is to keep him in a relatively more windy area. On ClearPoint we can see a band of weaker and variable air about 75-100 nm to his north.
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On first jibe since leaving Hawaii [click to enlarge] |
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Distance in last 24 hours: 75 nm DOG
Total distance completed: 25,406 nm
To Yokohama: 2,389 nm (measured)
Average daily DMG over last 7 days: 130 nm (measured)
ETA: 16.5 days (if motor-assisted @ 6 kts); 28 days (if sailing @ 3.5 kts)
Heading: 240°
Reported boat speed: 2.5 - 4.5 kts (sailing)
Average boat speed: 3.1 kts
Weather: Mostly overcast, scattered rain; warm
Temperature: 26° C
Barometer: 1020 hPa
Wind (from): 8-14 kts E, ENE & ESE (jibe)
Waves: 1.5-2.0 m
Sails: Genoa 90%, staysail 0%, mainsail 3pt reef
Engine: 0 hrs
Generator: 10 hrs
[Weather and wind forecasts are from ClearPoint Weather, a Saito 8 contributing sponsor.]
