Heaving to

Hi again
It is now 0700 on the 25th. and we are just seeing the dawn come up. Thinking about getting underway again soon. At least heaving to gives us some respite from having to be constantly on the helm due to our self steering systems failure. We can't use the autopilot because it uses too much power and we have limited generation capacity due to the fact that we can't use the engine to generate power because of an electronic component failure referred to earlier (Smart Charger!!). Then our windvane broke the actual vane which we replaced with a smaller one with great difficulty hanging out over the stern but for some reason we can't fathom it is not doing the job whereas it performed faultlessly for the earlier part of the passage.
Heaving to involves backing the staysail to the wind and lashing the helm hard over in the opposite direction which then causes the boat to lie still at an angle to the wind and waves. Still a bit bouncy but gives us a much needed rest. And last night we drifted in the right direction which is an added bonus. Well, nearly time to get going again so must send this and then get a bit nearer to NC. We have high hopes that the wind has finally changed in our favour and at a little less strength although still blowing 18-23 knots now. Forecast says SW at about 15. That would be ideal!!
Lots of love from us
J & J (G)
P.S. Don't forget to look at the website www.tiaretaporo3.blogspot.com for all our news.
P.P.S. What's the news? Has America defaulted and have the Maoris continued to close the Auckland Harbour Bridge??!!!!!!

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