Monday, December 7, 2015
Ushuaia to Mar del Plata recap
Yacht Club Argentino
This morning we got the lancha into the YCA. They were very helpful and had the paperwork for the Prefactura plus carbon paper. We filled out the 4 necessary copies, got a map and headed out. Two local sailors were also going to the same place so we walked with them and got some of the local scoop. Today and tomorrow are holidays so many things are closed except for places catering to tourists so we will have to put off laundry until Wednesday. After checking in, Rich and I treated ourselves to coffee and wifi and waited until lunch time to try one of the local restaurants. It was a slow walk back after so much food at one time.
The tide has risen sufficiently to allow us to enter the yacht club and tie up to the dock and plug it.
I have to say that it was nice last night to sleep in our bed, enjoy calm waters and not have to worry about watches.
So, the nitty gritty of the trip:
10 days, 9 1/2 hours from dock to buoy.
1315 nautical miles
Averaging 126.5 nautical miles a day, maximum for one day was 172nm, minimum was 92nm.
Winds - max 45 knots,
min 0 knots - note least winds were in the Beagle Channel.
Seas - max 3 meter, short period with 3-5 feet of wind waves on top
min flat - also in the Beagle channel
Sailing - we sailed 8 of the 10 plus days. We tacked twice, spent most of the time either on a broad reach or into the wind on port tack.
Damage report
Main sail split from leech almost to luff below the top batten. Some of the leech line tore below and above the split
Lazy jack line for main sail on starboard side chaffed and need to repair. May need new line.
Staysail has a tear near the luff and should be sewn or patched.
We are looking to have sails repaired in Buenos Aires and we will be able to go to get there without the main sail, just maybe not as fast.
One of the alternator belts broke and the remaining is stretched and not tight enough. The two spares on board are not tight enough either so need to buy more belts, install and adjust. Universal spare that we had in storage deteriorated and had to be tossed.
Watermaker was working fine then stopped producing water. Suspect water temperature was too cold. Need to verify operation
Toilet switch for aft head is not working properly. Sensor indicates holding tank is full but output is not to holding tank. Cover of switch has torn, needs replacement.
Water in exhaust system of Webasto heater. Suspect one of the many waves we took on the stern caused it even though there is a loop to prevent this. Need to suck out the water and clean system to get heater back operational.
Tomorrow we will continue cleaning and putting the boat back in shape. Oh, and also getting our internet fixes.
One other change. During the trip we were wearing long underwear, fleece and foul weather gear. Now we are in shorts and t-shirts. Glad to be farther north!
We would also like to thank everyone for their words of encouragement!
Sent from SV Windarra iPad
This morning we got the lancha into the YCA. They were very helpful and had the paperwork for the Prefactura plus carbon paper. We filled out the 4 necessary copies, got a map and headed out. Two local sailors were also going to the same place so we walked with them and got some of the local scoop. Today and tomorrow are holidays so many things are closed except for places catering to tourists so we will have to put off laundry until Wednesday. After checking in, Rich and I treated ourselves to coffee and wifi and waited until lunch time to try one of the local restaurants. It was a slow walk back after so much food at one time.
The tide has risen sufficiently to allow us to enter the yacht club and tie up to the dock and plug it.
I have to say that it was nice last night to sleep in our bed, enjoy calm waters and not have to worry about watches.
So, the nitty gritty of the trip:
10 days, 9 1/2 hours from dock to buoy.
1315 nautical miles
Averaging 126.5 nautical miles a day, maximum for one day was 172nm, minimum was 92nm.
Winds - max 45 knots,
min 0 knots - note least winds were in the Beagle Channel.
Seas - max 3 meter, short period with 3-5 feet of wind waves on top
min flat - also in the Beagle channel
Sailing - we sailed 8 of the 10 plus days. We tacked twice, spent most of the time either on a broad reach or into the wind on port tack.
Damage report
Main sail split from leech almost to luff below the top batten. Some of the leech line tore below and above the split
Lazy jack line for main sail on starboard side chaffed and need to repair. May need new line.
Staysail has a tear near the luff and should be sewn or patched.
We are looking to have sails repaired in Buenos Aires and we will be able to go to get there without the main sail, just maybe not as fast.
One of the alternator belts broke and the remaining is stretched and not tight enough. The two spares on board are not tight enough either so need to buy more belts, install and adjust. Universal spare that we had in storage deteriorated and had to be tossed.
Watermaker was working fine then stopped producing water. Suspect water temperature was too cold. Need to verify operation
Toilet switch for aft head is not working properly. Sensor indicates holding tank is full but output is not to holding tank. Cover of switch has torn, needs replacement.
Water in exhaust system of Webasto heater. Suspect one of the many waves we took on the stern caused it even though there is a loop to prevent this. Need to suck out the water and clean system to get heater back operational.
Tomorrow we will continue cleaning and putting the boat back in shape. Oh, and also getting our internet fixes.
One other change. During the trip we were wearing long underwear, fleece and foul weather gear. Now we are in shorts and t-shirts. Glad to be farther north!
We would also like to thank everyone for their words of encouragement!
Sent from SV Windarra iPad
Sunday, December 6, 2015
Day 11 - Arrive Mar del Plata
38 02.599 S, 057 32.208 W
At 9:24 pm, local time we tied up to the YCA buoy with the help from the Prefectura and a fellow from the yacht club. We are glad to be here, tied up and looking forward to sleeping in our bed and not the cockpit.
We are tired so I will end this. More in the days to come.
Cheers,
Elaine and Rich
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At 9:24 pm, local time we tied up to the YCA buoy with the help from the Prefectura and a fellow from the yacht club. We are glad to be here, tied up and looking forward to sleeping in our bed and not the cockpit.
We are tired so I will end this. More in the days to come.
Cheers,
Elaine and Rich
----------
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Saturday, December 5, 2015
Day 10 - What is that ripping noise?
40 31.930 S, 057 08.758 W
We have been having strong winds, 20-35 knots and 3 meter seas.
Last night after dark, I heard this ripping sound and then the flapping of sails. We turned on the deck lights at there was no moon and it was dark as Hades. I looked up at the main sail and it had ripped across below the first batten.
With harness and tether and boat hook I went to the mast, while Rich manned the helm and tried to turn us into the wind so we could take down the sail. The 3 meter swells did not help nor the blast of cold water that hit my face. we finally managed to pull the sail down enough so I could lash the free parts to the mast and put tension on the halyard to keep it from slapping the mast. All the while Rich and I are trying to communicate what next.
Since then we have been motoring. As the seas and winds are mostly from behind we are making good progress, including 172 nautical miles in 24 hours.
Today Rich braved the rolly deck and moved fuel from the jerry jugs to the aft tank.
We have less than 160 miles to go and hope to arrive at Mar del Plata either on Sunday or Monday.
Wish us luck.....
----------
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We have been having strong winds, 20-35 knots and 3 meter seas.
Last night after dark, I heard this ripping sound and then the flapping of sails. We turned on the deck lights at there was no moon and it was dark as Hades. I looked up at the main sail and it had ripped across below the first batten.
With harness and tether and boat hook I went to the mast, while Rich manned the helm and tried to turn us into the wind so we could take down the sail. The 3 meter swells did not help nor the blast of cold water that hit my face. we finally managed to pull the sail down enough so I could lash the free parts to the mast and put tension on the halyard to keep it from slapping the mast. All the while Rich and I are trying to communicate what next.
Since then we have been motoring. As the seas and winds are mostly from behind we are making good progress, including 172 nautical miles in 24 hours.
Today Rich braved the rolly deck and moved fuel from the jerry jugs to the aft tank.
We have less than 160 miles to go and hope to arrive at Mar del Plata either on Sunday or Monday.
Wish us luck.....
----------
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Friday, December 4, 2015
Day 9 back on the rhumb line
43 25.970 S, 56 45.108 W, Hdg 354 T, SOG 6.0 Winds 13-18 SW
Last night and early this morning we continued northeasterly then the winds started to clock around to the west and then southwest. Now we are on the rhumb line to Mar del Plata, with about 335 nautical miles to go in a straight shot. Not sure how long our weather window will last as it is supposed to build and swing around to the north and we do not want to be caught in an easterly as they may close the port.
So we are motorsailing to maintain speed, especially when the winds were very light, read 3-7 knots.
The lazy jack lines on the starboard side of the boom broke but we did a temporary repair. The leech line of the staysail needs repair also.
Looking forward to Mar del Plata and ice cream!
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
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Last night and early this morning we continued northeasterly then the winds started to clock around to the west and then southwest. Now we are on the rhumb line to Mar del Plata, with about 335 nautical miles to go in a straight shot. Not sure how long our weather window will last as it is supposed to build and swing around to the north and we do not want to be caught in an easterly as they may close the port.
So we are motorsailing to maintain speed, especially when the winds were very light, read 3-7 knots.
The lazy jack lines on the starboard side of the boom broke but we did a temporary repair. The leech line of the staysail needs repair also.
Looking forward to Mar del Plata and ice cream!
----------
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Thursday, December 3, 2015
Day 8 - Are we there yet?
45 11.787 S, 056 50.218 W
Today was a bit of a disappointment. After having several days of good progress, today fell short. We crept along at 2-3 knots in sloppy seas, closer to Mar del Plata but not alot. We are now closer in longitude but still have about 430 nautical miles to go northward.
The gribs look promising for tomorrow and the day after.
Soon......
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
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Today was a bit of a disappointment. After having several days of good progress, today fell short. We crept along at 2-3 knots in sloppy seas, closer to Mar del Plata but not alot. We are now closer in longitude but still have about 430 nautical miles to go northward.
The gribs look promising for tomorrow and the day after.
Soon......
----------
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Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Day 7 Putting in some Easting
46 02.371 S, 059 09.186 W
Most of our passage so far has been on the continental shelf. Today the winds suggested we head east, which is good since Mar del Plata is at longitude 57 W. As we crossed off the shelf and into deeper water we suddenly had all sorts of AIS targets. At least 4 Chinese fishing ships, each over 270 feet long and running just off the shelf in a line. Most of the targets were fishing but there was one tanker and a cargo ship as well. Most we did not have to worry about which is always good, and no surprises.
Rich added more fuel to the aft tank. We are have been running the engine only to charge the batteries. As the alternator is not running full, since only one belt, it takes a little longer. And we are not running the heater since it appears we took a wave from the stern and have water in the exhaust. It never ends
But, we are making progress and look forward to arriving soon.
Soon...
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
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Most of our passage so far has been on the continental shelf. Today the winds suggested we head east, which is good since Mar del Plata is at longitude 57 W. As we crossed off the shelf and into deeper water we suddenly had all sorts of AIS targets. At least 4 Chinese fishing ships, each over 270 feet long and running just off the shelf in a line. Most of the targets were fishing but there was one tanker and a cargo ship as well. Most we did not have to worry about which is always good, and no surprises.
Rich added more fuel to the aft tank. We are have been running the engine only to charge the batteries. As the alternator is not running full, since only one belt, it takes a little longer. And we are not running the heater since it appears we took a wave from the stern and have water in the exhaust. It never ends
But, we are making progress and look forward to arriving soon.
Soon...
----------
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