Lat -21.695
Lon 175.033056
Scratch that last log. Sometimes I just need a few minutes to pick myself up off of the floor.
Night came, and I god busy. I tore the starter apart again with no luck, and I did try to cross the solenoid with a screw driver. I could get the motor to turn but not engage. I inspected it closer and manually pulled out the mechanism that engages the flywheel, I instantly had a starter fire on my hands which I got out quickly. Forget the starter! I escaped with only a only a few burns.
I took off the Alternator again and wrapped the flywheel with all my belts to try and hand start it, no luck, not even close. My motor has a port for a hand crank and I made one out of my gaff pole, cutting the appropriate design into it with a grinder but the material is not strong enough and the stainless breaks easily. I also tried to adapt my hand grinder to the belt for the alternator thinking it would pull the large fly week, no luck.
By the end of the night me head was bleeding (I hit it when I was pulling on the belts) and my hands were burned and cut…., I failed again!!
Then I heard my mothers voice in my head “Failures are people who don’t try” and I did try with all my heart. I’m not meant to have a motor at this point!
There was no wind but I managed to tie off Namaste so we were basically still (Hove to) A few hours later (3am) there was enough of a breeze for me to get her going North at 2 knots. I fell asleep to wake up a few hours later in a good downpour and managed to get Namaste back on course for Noumea we are doing 3.7 knots with 409 miles to go, head wind!
What was I thinking my last trip in Namaste would be like. She has been my friend, but most of all my teacher, “Now it’s just me and you Alex” I can hear her say, time for the “black belt”.
Smooth ocean crossings are meant for Grandma and Grandpa big boat. The purpose of my crossing is to carve me from wood and make me a sailor. All our paths are different, this is just mine.
Namaste is dishing me her final lesson, and she has been a good teacher. I hope only to be half as good a pupil.
Another front is upon me, I’m trying to take it with a smile!
Bashing into weather .
Peace, Love, and the sea!
Alex
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