The distance to Cipango, or Japan, would be much less.
As it proved, the squadron had to make some stay at the Canaries.

The rudder of the Pinta was disabled, and she proved leaky.

It was suspected that the owners, from whom she had been forcibly taken, had intentionally disabled her, or that possibly the crew had injured her.
But Columbus says in his journal that Martin Alonso Pinzon, captain of the Pinta, was a man of capacity and courage, and that this quieted his apprehensions.

From the ninth of August to the second of September, nearly four weeks were spent by the Pinta and her crew at the Grand Canary island, and she was repaired.

She proved afterwards a serviceable vessel, the fastest of the fleet.