Just before midday on Saturday 10 October Valent completed the first leg of the journey home with a short visit to Gibraltar. In our 90 minute stop we accomplished a lot. We were met at the fuel dock by the representatives of Freight It who had kindly acted as my forwarding agent in receiving and handling the hydrovane, hydrogenerator and satellite communications systems. These were all awaiting our arrival on the fuel pontoon. Very straightforward and impressive logistics.
While I was finalising the paperwork, Richard and Sam were getting on with the refuelling. We took on board a total of 585Ltr, or which 565 went into the tank to replenish what we had used on the predominantly long motor from Empuriabrava. We were pleased to find that we had used less than calculated, and probably means we only used 6Ltr/hr on average. More importantly that should translate to roughly 1000 miles of motoring at 1700 revs.
The final important task was to collect some hydraulic fluid for the autohelm. The spare oil had been inadvertently removed before our departure, and the system needed topping up. Unfortunately, the quantity of air left in the system meant that after a day or so we had no autohelm and we have hand steered for the last 3 days. That meant a switch of watch system from 3hrs on 6hrs off, to 2hrs 4hrs off. It will be good to get a longer sleep tonight. Sam and Richard then spent the the first couple of hours from Gib fixing the autopilot. It turned out that as well as a lack of oil and electrical connection had come apart that meant that the arm would not drive. Once that was found, the pilot was fixed and we are now back on our way and returned to the 3hr watch pattern.
We also now have the pleasure of doing some sailing with a lovely F5 Easterly wind behind us, making good over 7kts on the Genoa alone. Peaceful and quiet. Looks like we have pleasant weather for the next couple of days, but then we may have to hide somewhere for a bit as some nasty Northerlies come through on Tue/Wed. Hopefully we can make Lisbon by then.
It sounds like a very dramatic and interesting journey. I recently went to Gibraltar too for the first time ever. It’s just like home! Safe journey. I’m enjoying the journal. Shy x
Now if you ever want a recommendation on hydraulic oils you know where to come! ( one in every ten litres of hydraulic oils sold on the planet has been developed by my team).
Very jealous of your sailing, sounds really great. Hope the wind behaves.
Hi Will
It’s great to know your progress and to start to understand the trials and tribulations with the new equipment.
Hope you hit Lisbon before the blows
So you won’t be helping plant the bulbs this weekend 🙂
Brilliant … well done all x