Leg 1 Day 17 – October 28, 2008
PUMA LEG ONE DAY 17 - Ken Read's Blog
"We are a bit lonely out here as for just about the first time this race
we can't see another boat. E4 gybed and crossed our bow by about 20 boat
lengths earlier this afternoon ending an incredible run of being neck and
neck. They are heading south presumably looking for more wind. We kind
of like where we are right now and decided to end our little boat on boat
battle at least for now. It is not easy predicting the weather situation
right now, except for the fact that someone is going to turn the fans on
pretty good for a few days.
Life on board is simple. Go about chores, on watch, in bed, eat, and
sleep. Do it all over again. A regime spoiled only by the fact that
gremlins crawl into the complex boat systems from time to time and take
the mechanically inclined completely off their schedule. Which happened
this morning but again Casey Smith helped de-bug and solve the issues,
this time with the able assistance from Chris Nicholson.
For such simple looking craft, with zero interior amenities, its amazing
how complicated these machines are. Especially with modern age
communication and our new and elaborate media station. The
computer-driven hydraulic keel system is just another example of something
that can get full of gremlins and you wouldn't know it until many times it
is too late. That is why guys like Casey and Michi Mueller and Nico
(Chris Nicholson) are so crucial.
Essentially the modern day racer is also part electrician and mechanic and
all around "McGyver". We've had a few cases during this trip, and I can't
tell you how impressive it is to watch these guys solve some issues that
simply blow right over my head. Thank goodness they were all around for
the entire build of the boat. In essence they also helped design the
systems, which is one of the reasons why they are so comfortable with an
issue that seems potentially so daunting to the non-mechanically inclined.
It is always hopeful that the gremlins don't find the boat, but also
somewhat unrealistic. Hopefully we can keep them away for the next few
days though, or at least until someone turns the fans down a bit.
Kenny"
Ken Read - skipper
|
