NW of Isla Malpelo

Friday, 2012-03-15, 12:10 local (17:0 UTC), 4:36.0N 81:07.2W, 1006mBar,
28C, COG 195, SOG 7.5kn

Just a quick one, busy fixing the fresh-water installation which developed a
leak after all that rolling last night. That's the problem with
improvisations because the right parts are not available, you always have to
go back to it. Liz says I shouldn't get upset about it, it was my choice to
do this trip on a boat. Hard to argue that. Hope the new improvisation lasts
until I an get the right parts. Tahiti maybe.

Other than that we saw dolphins and a bird, and during the night two
aircraft passed low over us. Or the same twice, who knows. It's pitch black
at night now. But we saw Jupiter and Venus nicely huddled together, even
took a few photos. Then the wind increased to 30+ kn and I couldn't remember
how to best get the Parasailor down in strong winds. Third attempt
succeeded. Now I remember: don't let go of any sheets or downhauls and
especially not of the line that pulls the sock down. Just gybe gently and
when the sail deflates pull the sock down like crazy until you get to the
dynamic pressure wing, then wait for this to deflate and then pull again.

The plan is to pass just east of Isla Malpelo (Colombia) and continue SSW,
where the weather forecast says the wind is better. Then turn west after
we're through the ITCZ.