Sailing South
Position as of 03:00 UTC 06°14'N, 124°36'W
Well, we have been sailing south for the past day and a half and are again approaching the ITCZ. The bloody thing moves north and south quite quickly. April 1 when we decided to run straight south we were in the ITCZ, we got hit with quite a few squalls but winds never reached more than 22 knots, so no issue there. Lots of rain which was nice, got 2 weeks worth of salt spray of the boat. The night watches also went quicker as you were constantly watching the radar to see the squalls. The idea is to reef the headsail in BEFORE the squall hits and then let it back out after it passes. We have left the main sail with 2 reefs for the past 2 days and are quite comfortable with the motion of the boat. We have come more than halfway to the Marquesas and assuming things stay about the same and maybe a bit better we should reach landfall 28 days after we left (departure March 18, you figure it out!). I have narrowed the problem with the radio down to the antenna tuner, definitely. I can make it work for email so I will restrict communications to that and hope it holds together. Will either have to get it fixed or replace in Papeete Tahiti as that will be the easiest place to get one shipped to. We will see how it goes. Last night was absolutely beautiful. Clear skies, no moon and lots of stars. We know we are sailing south as we have the southern cross directly in front of us. It's been a long time since we sailed with those stars and they are nice to see again. Life has settled into a pleasant routine. We stand 3 hour watches at night and then we sort of both keep watch during the day. I spend most days working on the radio and Cathy plans and prepare most of the main meals. Come 19:00, I get an hours sleep then on watch for 3 hours, off for 3, etc. We are both rested which his important as it's easy to make mistakes when you get tired out here.
Well, we have been sailing south for the past day and a half and are again approaching the ITCZ. The bloody thing moves north and south quite quickly. April 1 when we decided to run straight south we were in the ITCZ, we got hit with quite a few squalls but winds never reached more than 22 knots, so no issue there. Lots of rain which was nice, got 2 weeks worth of salt spray of the boat. The night watches also went quicker as you were constantly watching the radar to see the squalls. The idea is to reef the headsail in BEFORE the squall hits and then let it back out after it passes. We have left the main sail with 2 reefs for the past 2 days and are quite comfortable with the motion of the boat. We have come more than halfway to the Marquesas and assuming things stay about the same and maybe a bit better we should reach landfall 28 days after we left (departure March 18, you figure it out!). I have narrowed the problem with the radio down to the antenna tuner, definitely. I can make it work for email so I will restrict communications to that and hope it holds together. Will either have to get it fixed or replace in Papeete Tahiti as that will be the easiest place to get one shipped to. We will see how it goes. Last night was absolutely beautiful. Clear skies, no moon and lots of stars. We know we are sailing south as we have the southern cross directly in front of us. It's been a long time since we sailed with those stars and they are nice to see again. Life has settled into a pleasant routine. We stand 3 hour watches at night and then we sort of both keep watch during the day. I spend most days working on the radio and Cathy plans and prepare most of the main meals. Come 19:00, I get an hours sleep then on watch for 3 hours, off for 3, etc. We are both rested which his important as it's easy to make mistakes when you get tired out here.
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posted by Brian Ackles - S/V Cygnet at
17:23
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