Strong Winds & Power Trouble

We settled down for the night but the wind continued to grow and soon we were having nearly 20kts underlying with gusts of 23/24. We gradually reduced sail taking in more of the mainsail and when Robbie and I came on watch at 2.00am we had only a small bit of main and Staysail. We were still bombing along about 8/9 kts and the gusts were blowing up to 31.8 kts just 0.2 shy of a force 8 but more commonly 28/29 kts. With Stormbird the wind does not whistle through the rigging but there is a small howl and when the gusts came you would hear the howl and the boat would heel (lean) quicky and the wind speed instrument would within a second react to the gust. Stormbird was coping well (the crew were not!) but with the increased wind the swell increased and there was quite a disturbed sea. We would be sailing along fast and relatively flat and then we were suddenly hit by a large wave on the side and we would roll one way and back again due to the swell and then it would calm down again. It was like being in a washing machine on occasions and it was not good for the crew as it is very difficult for us all to sleep. There was lots of noise inside from the creaking of the boat or from the crockery, pots and pans, cutlery bowls etc all making noises in protest as they rattled in their cupboards or drawers.

We can see now far more of these wind bearing clouds and some with rain. Strangely we had 2 ships pass behind us in the night and we could see them on the plotter and then we would see their lights as they got closer but they passed within a few miles of us and were not of concern. We have seen so few boats that when we do it is a bit of a novelty. In the night the wind had backed so we were sailing more or less on target but by the morning we were little off course and heading for Dominica!!. However it is what it is and the predict wind models were all following our current course and we will have to adjust as time goes on.

At 5.00am I went to sleep but due to the rolling woke about 6.30am and decided to put on the generator to charge the batteries. It started and all was going well for about 30 minutes and then it just stopped. I got up and tried to start it again which it did but it stopped again. How ironic, when my blog yesterday talked about power and what we would do if we did not have power there was now a power problem. If we cannot use the generator then we cannot charge the batteries (although we can with the main engine) but we also cannot use the water maker as the generator has to be running for this. We immediately banned showers and washing of clothes and make clear we may have to ration water if we cannot resolve the problem before Barbados.

Peter and I decided to look at the manual and there were several potential reasons as to why it had stopped and we needed to try and fix it. This included air in the fuel system (unlikely as it had been running well and also the lift pump bleeds out any air), water in the fuel or dirty fuel (we thought unlikely as we changed the filter in Gran Canaria and it is the same fuel as the engine and that looks clean and is working). It could be no oil, but I had topped it up recently. In addition it could be overheating so perhaps an issue with the colling water system or exhaust overheating.

Due to the conditions Mark suggested we heave to. This means stop the boat under sail by balancing the main against the Staysail. It would not stop all roll but would stop us in a calm way with little movement. Peter and I stripped to the waist and headed for the engine room which is quite big and we can stand in it. It contains a lot of equipment including the main engine, generator, water maker, freshwater system etc. It is very hot and even with the fan on we were sweating within seconds. We first checked the fuel lifting pump and all was well. We then checked the water intake and took the basket out to see if blocked. There was a small bit of black rubber in it – could that be part of the impeller? There were no leaks and we had not changed the impeller when we serviced it in Gran Canaria. We therefore decided to look at this. The impeller is a black rubber wheel with little fins and this turns and helps pump water through the sea water cooling system. Water is drawn from under the boat and passed through a filter and then round the engine to cool it and the impeller is part of this system.  It is behind a plate which we had to take off on the side of the generator and there was not exactly easy access. Once we took this off the back bits of the impeller disintegrated in our hand, The generator stopped due to the sensors as clearly it was overheating. This was good as I had spares to replace this so I got one out – a Johnson Impeller which the generator man in hamble gave me. We tried to put this impeller in and for some reason it would not go in properly and into a slot. Peter and I struggled for a while and Robbie came to have a look. He asked whether I had a Westerbecke impeller (i.e. the one from the manufacturer and not an alternative which was the Johnson one). As it happens I did but only one. We compared then 2 and noticed the central pin on the original was slightly smaller.  When we tried it if fitted perfectly and we were able to reinstall everything. What an idiot I thought – why sell me the wrong part?

Once we put it together the generator started and stayed going and I think we have resolved the issue and we felt quite satisfied. As the batteries had been charged by the engine earlier we will try later and also try and make some water to check we can do this and that it is working properly. We got sailing again and I called up the generator man who said, “ah yes they do fit but you have to take the old pin out and put it in the new one.” He had not told me this when I bought them and I was not impressed “The man is a buffoon”. Peter and I had to have a shower and I can imagine how terrible it must have been for those stokers on the ships of old and having to shovel coal in the heat. We pressed on towards Barbados with the wind still in the late teens and twenties but that is good wind for us and we are making good progress. We had a light lunch of soup and bread (which was the delicious loaf I made) and Ian has now been inspired to make one under Mark’s supervision.        

The afternoon continued to be warm and sunny and we chilled, reading, chatting and did our watches. The sun went down 10 minutes later than yesterday and we had a chilli mince supper with rice which was delicious with a nice bit of spice. This was prepared by guess who? -our resident chef Mark who also knocked out another batch of chocolate brownies on the side!. The generator has gone on and is working fully and making water as I write. Our repair in difficult conditions is satisfying and the good ship Stormbird powers on. The weather forecast is the same as last night so it could be a busy night again with 27/28 kt gusts which is good as it powers us fast toward our destination.

We are all in good spirits and there is about 320 miles to go.  We are all getting excited and keep singing Hey were going to Barbados. Love to all and sleep well.

Distance last 24 hours 167 nm

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