First Sail

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 To Cape Town with a few stops, first stop Durban.  We left the Zululand Yacht Club, our boat's home for the last 7 months under sail.  This leg was familiar, 20 hours, with the help of Hiero the windvane self-steering, and a lot of motoring.  The autopilot did not work again so back to hand steering when we motored.  In the evening we saw a storm overland which slowly moved above and around us.  If it was not so terrifying it would have been beautiful.  Thunderbolt and lightning, very very frightening me!  The squall brought 40kn wind.

The engine hiccupped entering Durban port which meant a day of checking engine fuel lines etc.  Nothing obvious found.   We left next day for East London.

Gentle winds again with sailing and motoring for 2 days.  A pod of dolphins came to check us out and found John taking a shower on our stern platform.  The sight of those black fins gave a brief skrik.  Not sharks.  We were 22 nm out at sea with no land in sight.  It was beautiful there.  This was the wild coast stretch which had always been a concern.  Not recommended for these beginners.  We went through a patch of ocean where the waves come at you from all directions.  Glad it was gentle.

Motored into the Buffalo River Yacht Club.  As we approached the appointed dock the engine died.   I looked at the walk-on 2 metres away with stern line in hand and hesitated.  Too far to leap.  John had to do it and pulled the boat to a stop just before we ploughed into a boat parked in front.  That was close.

Leaving ZYC Betwixt's home for 7 months

 

At Buffalo River Yacht Club, East London

Fixing the fuel line of engine




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