As the sun went down the wind came up. Always the way! After trying three different sail plans we are now chugging along with full No 2 Genoa and 2 reefs in the main. Making between 6 and 7.5 knots depending on the gust. Going west instead of north-west, but that’s preferable to motoring. There’s so many fishing buoys etc. a fouled prop is inevitable when motoring in the dark.

Position 10° 31.588′ N 75° 22.314′ E
COG 262T
SOG 5.4kt

Stopped mid-ocean to go for a swim and underwater check. No wind/ glassed out so just stopped the motor. Put a rope out just in case but it just floated next to the boat. Hull is pretty clean except for about a 3 inch wide slime strip just on the water line. Nothing on prop or rudder. Water temperature 30 degrees and deep turquoise – was rather nice.

Position 10° 14.581′ N 75° 46.031′ E
COG 307T
SOG 5.4kt

Wind has now dropped to nothing. Dropped the staysail on deck and 3 reefs in main to reduce flogging. Motoring at 1800 RPM making 5.1 to 5.6 knots over the ground. The updated Iridium eMail app works! Managed to receive all our waiting email and send messages, including daily position report to UKMTO. Relief all round.

Position 10° 06.442′ N 75° 58.353′ E
COG 308T
SOG 5.3kt

Cochin at 0640 UTC+5.5. Winds very light so motoring with main and staysail at 1,800 RPM. This is giving us about 5 knots boat speed, up to 6 in the occasional gust. Batteries already at 100% and now topping off water tanks and chilling the fridge and freezer with the excess electricity. Tons of rubbish and fishing installations (clusters of plastic bottles with a rats nest of nylon line underneath, so have to be alert at all times to avoid fouling the propeller. Not worth putting out a fishing line in this.

Position 10° 03.246′ N 76° 02.501′ E
COG 308T
SOG 5.3kt