Cape Verdes bound for Argentina - 6 Oct
by Kate Laird

6 55 S
31 25 W

We are blessing the charging engine right now. It is running at full bore (we run it every day or two), but it is much less hot to run than the main engine. It's a DC genset that Hamish and I built, so we can turn the revs down as well as the charging progresses (unlike an AC genset which needs to be at constant revs), so it is quieter, cooler, uses less diesel, all good things.

We are sailing well at 7.5 knots with the wind on the beam...fairly good-sized seas but not huge. Seal going well even though we are reefed right down to the second reef to make it easier for Jimmy the Aires. With a human steering we'd only be at the first reef, but it is worth a half-knot loss to let Jimmy do the steering!

Mourning the loss of a huge dorado yesterday. Hamish caught it while I was asleep and he didn't want to wake me up so tried to get it himself. Needed three arms. He was trying to adjust the gaff when it gave an almighty jump and made it back to the sea. The fish is probably okay. They are the best fish to eat, especially when really fresh, and are the most beautiful fish in the world...magnificent iridescent green/yellow color with touches of blue when still alive.

You can learn more about the Lairds and Seal at their website www.expeditionsail.com.