When Living the Dream Becomes a Nightmare

The 2 Sail R's are safely in Noumea, New Caledonia.  The trip here was the mechanical trip from hell.  One thing after another transpired during our passage.  The Worrall Wind Blogs spanning the time period of August 29 to September 5 are Indexed and chronologically linked in this blog regarding the passage along with some photographs.  There aren't many photos as we were pretty busy fixing things.

Day 0 and 1 a.m. - Monday, August 29 -  1)  Unable to checkout of Vanuatu due to a local holiday, tightening our weather window.

Day 1 p.m. - Tuesday, August 30 - Checked out and on our way, motor pounding into the wind and waves.  2) Hydrovane pops off the rudder post at dusk in strong winds and waves.  We save Hydie from falling into the sea.  We detour to Malakula Island for repair.

Hydrovane after the first rescue.

Day 2 - Wednesday, August 31- We make repair by pounding post back on strut, tightening all of the bolts, resecuring the rudder.  3) Our main sail upon inspection has sustained a rip that needs repair.  Glad we found it now.  Repairing sailing takes another couple of hours, and we are on our way again.  We have a good wind and are sailing.  Hydie is working wonderfully.

Day 3 - Thursday, September 1- Good sailing, extreme heeling.  Lots of stress on the rigging.

Great Sail!  Extreme Heel.  We pay for it later!

Harnessed into the Galley

Day 4 - Squall!  4)  Engine won't start.  Water in the engine.  Russ de-waters engine.  5) It happens again!

Russ checking out the oil before adding to the de-watered engine.

Day 5 -  6)  Head sail furler gets stuck as we need to motor into the wind.   We can't roll it in. We fore reach while working on this problem in 20 knot winds and 2 meter seas.  7) Each delay tightens our weather window.  We are on the ragged edge now of making it in to New Caledonia before a weather change and large seas push up from the south.

Day 6 - 8)  The port dinghy davit has collapsed.  9) The dinghy and solar panels are dangling in the sea.  10) Hydie commits suicide and is buried in the sea.  11) Our gecko dies.

Hydie's gone, buried at sea.

Davit, Dinghy, Solar Panels hoisted up after a midnight rescue.

Day 7 - 12) We seek refuge at anchor.  Our anchor windlass won't work.

Noumea.  A Welcome Sight!

Day 8 - On our 2 year anniversary we pull into Port Moselle in Noumea.  As we pull into a very narrow guest slip, our 13 ) bow thruster fails and we have to make two passes to get in with 4 dock hands assisting.

We are now in the process of catching up on sleep, calling our insurance agency, hydrovane company, getting bids, and eating a lot of French pastries.  Noumea is a beautiful little city and we are going to really enjoy having our feet on the ground here for awhile.

All is Well With the Two Sail R's on the Sailing Vessel Worrall Wind