Heavy laden container ships rumble out of Le Havre. Carrying trade goods across the seven seas. Powered by a single engine and a propeller. The same arrangement, albeit on a rather different scale, as that employed aboard Stargazer. A set up in common daily use, by seagoing vessels, throughout the world.
And yet. . . . .whilst I have no qualms, about Stargazer successfully reaching port under sail, the prospect of a long motor always fills me with a certain amount of unease. Beyond mourning the absence of the joy, of passage making under sail. Motoring always feels to me, but one step away from mishap.
However the high pressure system, which is bringing us this Indian Summer, contains only capricious zephyrs. With no prospect, of passage making breezes, to be seen in the forecasts. Motor then Stargazer must. Prompting me to give the engine a thorough check, before leaving St Vaast.
In the process I discover witness marks, of a leak, on the raw water cooling pump. Simon, who services Stargazer’s engine, has instructed me not to worry. The leak means that the pump seals need replacement. But it’s scale (four drips, at time of inspection; none after motoring two thirds of the way from St Vaast to Le Havre) means that the need is not pressing.
Tomorrow, the tide, where it runs hardest (off Cap d’Antifer and on east, past Fecamp and Dieppe) is fair from mid afternoon until dusk. With the wind forecast ‘least-light,’ of those for the next four days. From the northeast. Giving a (perhaps optimistic) possibility of sufficient, tide assisted, apparent wind for Stargazer to sail. Eight knots will set Stargazer moving meaningfully. Ten to twelve knots will give us full speed. With the engine as a fallback. My preferred role for it.
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