Bermuda > Azores - Day 9: Fair winds and Following Sees Dolphins

With the wind and waves cooperating, we managed another 200+ nautical mile day — 209nm, to be exact. It was the day of the dolphins. We had at least six pods drop in for a play throughout the day.

The weather forecast has been spot on, and just as predicted, the wind began to ease in the late afternoon to 15–18 knots. We’re flying the gennaker at a true wind angle of 100 degrees — not ideal for this sail, but with the shredded Code Zero tucked away in the bow locker, we’re making do with what we’ve got.

I think I mentioned we were having trouble with the jib furler. It’s become really stiff — almost impossible to roll in or out. I pulled out the rubber mallet and prepared to go forward to give it some gentle persuasion.

As I got ready for this misadventure, Seamus was sceptical. He recounted a joke:

“A lady in Cork called the plumber because her washing machine wasn’t working. The plumber arrived, looked it over, pulled out his rubber mallet, bent over the machine (you get the picture), and gave it three sharp whacks. He turned it on — it worked, good as new. He handed the woman a bill for 100 Euros. She was shocked. ‘How can you charge me 100 Euros when all you did was hit the machine with a hammer? I could have done that myself!’

He replied, deadpan: ‘It was 5 Euros for hitting the machine. The other 95 was for knowing where to hit it.’”

Inspired by this tale, I ventured forward, hammer in hand. Unbeknownst to Seamus, I had a hunch — and like the plumber, I had an idea where I wanted to tap.

I gave the furler three taps on the secret spot and to my amazement and delight, it became completely free and I could manage to turn it by hand, even with the sail full. My suspicion was that the drum was sitting on the bearing housing. I gave it a spray of silicon lubricant and returned to the cockpit to a huge smile from Seamus. We will investigate further when we get to Horta. But for now it is "Good enough for me and Seamus Magee" (yes I know, I have a song for every occasion, so annoying!)

I hear a song in my head....

Meanwhile back to the serious art of sailing.....

I mentioned that we were enjoying following seas, it is always hard to catch the true feeling of these on camera, but Gill managed to come close here:

Small (2m) following waves

We would catch sight of dolphins far in the distance and they would inevitably head our way to play on the bow. Doirbhail and Gill go forward to catch them on video. I stay behind hoping to catch the big wave breaking over the bow (note they are safely strapped in), but it never came. Had it come, it would have been a great video.

Note, flying twin headsails before furler was fixed

The stars of the show:

A video of sunset from our first day when seas were flat:

Sing along.....