Time: 2155 Zulu, 9:00 p.m. Vanuatu Time
Latitude: S 166 12.173
Longitude: E 167 05.185
As you know, we left Luganville this morning (see today's earlier update)heading directly south to New Caledonia. Check our FIND SPOT Route on the blog to see our course.
As our afternoon progressed, we found ourselves in a west setting current. In order to compensate, we had to head more southeast, right into the wind and the current. The wind picked up as did the wind waves. We revved up the motor and were bucking into the sea at about a 5.5 knots. This is the closest I've come to being sea sick. The motion was nauseating. I couldn't bring myself to eat dinner, and I was in a cold sweat. Waves were crashing on the bow, so we had everything buttoned up and it was sweltering inside the pilot house, 87 degrees and 60 percent humidity.
As the sun was setting just before 6:00 p.m., Russ and I put on our safety harnesses to make any adjustments necessary. Basically, we needed to tighten down the main, grab the hand held GPS, put the throttle in neutral so we could adjust rpm from inside the pilot house for the night. Russ didn't think he was going to need me, but I harnessed up just in case. Always the Girl Scout...be prepared, even when you think you're going to barf.
He had just gone out when our "radio net" alarm went off indicating that our friend's net was going to start in 2 minutes. I made my way to the radio not sure I would be even able to speak as by this time my hand was over my mouth. I turned on the radio and could hear Pincoya and Skylight talking with one another. I was waiting for a break to call in when I thought I heard Russ shouting. I opened the slider watching for breaking waves and gully washers. "Did you call me?"
BAD NEWS
"Yes, I need help!", he shouted. Oh sh#@! Here we go. I dropped the radio, clipped on to the jackline, flipped on the deck lights as it is getting dark, and scurried out to the back deck. Russ was hanging on to Hydie's rudder post which was no longer perpendicular, but angled 45 degrees to starboard. The rudder post pin had come undone with all the vibrations of the motor. Russ was trying to steady the rudder post and wanted to go down the back swim ladder (which we never swim off of by the way)to take the pressure off the rudder. Our ladder gets a lot of traffic fixing Hydie and dangling dinghies though!
I put the motor in neutral so that we could forereach and stop the wild bronco ride W.e were still hobby horsing but not as frantically.
GOOD NEWS
Fresh air, slower motion, no time to barf, and adrenalin got rid of my nausea. Amazing, but I wouldn't recommend it!
BAD NEWS
After a couple of failed attempts at trying to lift up the rudder post and cocking it side ways, Russ was more determined than ever to climb over the back deck and down the ladder and disconnect the rudder pin. He would be on the last rung, and I remembered one other time he did this, lost his grip and swung away from the ladder. He has been suffering a bit from shoulder pain which has been trying not to exacerbate. It looked to risky. I was just as determined that he wasn't going to do that. It's scary enough for him to do that kind of rescue during the day, but by now it is pitch black. We hooked a double line through the mizzen boom and tried hoisting the rudder and post up this way.
GOOD NEWS
Yes, that worked. We secured the post at an angle and the bottom of the rudder was just out of the water. Unfortunately, once we started motoring again, the rudder would still be in jeopardy with engine vibration.
BAD NEWS
Russ was still going to have to go down the ladder and disconnect the rudder.
GOOD NEWS
But not as far. So we made our plan, got our head lamps, double harnessed Russ with a line to the winch, and he descended the ladder, looped a double line through the rudder handle on the top and over the back rail which I secured to the mizzen mast. He cut the safety line from the rudder which holds it to the rudder post in case the rudder pin breaks, and we hoisted the rudder up and over the rail. Hydie's rudder was covered with slipper green seaweed, yeck! It was a good thing it was tied on to the mast, or it would have slipped right out of our hands. Russ got back on board safely. We secured the back deck and came in side to re-evaluate our situation.
Russ wanted to stay the course and keep on going so that we could make it to NC by Friday. Nope, that wasn't my vote, and since I'm the admiral (rank does have some privileges) we are headed into Southwest Bay on Malacula Island. Yes, we probably would do a lot more motoring and wouldn't need Hydie, and it would be better for her rudder to be out of the water, and yes this does slow us down.
On the other hand, if our auto pilot or engine conks out, we wouldn't have a backup auto steering system. We may need to put Hydie's rudder on while at sea, but at least the rudder post would be secure. We downloaded some new weather files earlier and took a look at them. Surprisingly, they look better than the earlier model so our window doesn't look quite so tight. On the other hand, these damned weather files are never right! We've been waiting for an east wind and thought we had one. Nope! not yet.
For the moment, we are heading to a calm bay to reset the rudder post if possible. We are pounding straight into the waves and wind but moving slowly so that we can get some rest. I've got first watch. Russ is sleeping. We should arrive at SWB by dawn. We'll reassess the situation in the morning, and keep you posted.
All is well with the 2 Sail R's on SV Worrall Wind
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