25 January 2011 | Engine hrs 1869.1 – 1873.7 | 2,300 RPM | Storm – 48 kt winds
After sailing for more than 24 hours from Port Blair, gusty conditions with 20 kts wind consistently, we encountered a squall. 36 kts wind coming up suddenly from the east. Course now means we are close-hauled and bashing through 2m swell. First squall passed within 10 minutes. About 1:30am on 27 Jan 2011, wind picked up to 36 again, then immediately to 44kts. Sustained winds reached 48 kts for nearly an hour.
- Starboard nav light housing was ripped off, followed by LED lightbulb inside
- Attempting to go bare poles, as winds increased over 40 kts, furling line gave way, releasing the entire headsail and causing the rig to shudder violently
- Successfully furled the main
- Steering out of control, even with the engine at 2,200 RPM. Heasail luffing. Made decision to drop jib halyard, find it inextricably tangled with coiled ratline. Forced to cut halyward, to no avail as furling car remained at the top of the mast.
- Released jib sheets – cut one, figure 8 tore off the other going through the block. Sail tore free of webbing at the tack after an initial cut. Worked up and was flapping like a flag, bending the furlex extrusions badly
- 2 hours later we made it into the lee of an island, anchored in 20m
- At first light, we went up the mast and detached the head of the jib. Flaked and stowed the 140% genoa. With bent forestay, decided not to fit a new jib, but rather to motor with the mainsail in the hope of reaching Sabang, 200nm away
- Added a jerrican of fuel, bled additional dirty fuel from primary bowl, noted a water leak in the engine cooling system. Oil was full. Decided to take route in western lee of the other Nicobars