Hi All
28/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -10 10 08.633S 144 08.804W
Wind not playing fair. Fuel safety margin of less than 300lt. Need more wind
29/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -10 10 35.277S 145 50.798W
Still little wind. With the asym up we hardly make 4knots. A light rain squall actually dropped a little rain on us and produced virtually no more wind.
30/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -10 11 07.374S 147 43.6W
Downloaded a new grib chart - the forecast is no wind for the next 3 to 4 days on our route and we still have 1600nm to go. At our present progress that will take us something like18days. If we use the motor we run low on diesel, if we sail we take longer and run out of batteries, which means diesel. Change course. Papeete, Tahiti is less than 400 nm south, so we are motoring there to get diesel. Makes the leg a little longer, but gets us diesel and the forecast is for better winds to Tonga.
Just after we had changed course a rain squall dropped a reasonable amount of rain on us. At least I was able to soap up and wash it off. Gosh what a feeling to be a little bit cleaner.
Cheers
Chris
Monday, July 30, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Marquesas!
Hi All
Been enjoyng land so its a bit longer than usual.
23/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -8 08 46.142S 137 33.215W
Wind not being helpful to get us to Nuku-Hiva in the daylight tomorrow.
24/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -8 08 56.679S 139 59.836W
Both motors running to get us in before dark. Passed Ua-Huka – covered in cloud, Peak 385m. Nuku-Hiva not visible yet some 40 odd miles away and cloud coverd.
Finally Nuka-Hiva pops out of the horizon, steep high black volcanic peaks. A very impressive sight. We enter Taiohae Bay passed two sentinel islands on either side of headlands that form the Bay. The village of Taiohae is at the head of the bay and what a wonderfully protected bay it is. The pilot says it is possible to tie up to the pier for a short while. Sounds convenient so we try – big mistake – there is a surge – not big but too much to lay alongside with no bollards and rough concrete sides. Back to Plan B – anchor and get the dinghy in the water. Finally anchored at 15:30 ships time. Then all into the dinghy and off to see the gendarmerie for immigration and customs. As we wereonly staying 2 days and then going on to Tonga we were let off having to provide a bond equivalent to an airfare back to SA – that was for George and me, but we still had to get a Visas – go to the bank get some money, then buy two CFP3000 stamps and bring your passport back. Oh and then by the way please buy a stamp and post the customs form to Papeete, Tahiti. But all done very pleasantly. They even tried to speak English.
25/7/2012
Position in Taiohae Bay, Nuka-Hiva
George and Joyce had met up with some church folk and went off on a tour of the island . Rob went walking while I sorted out the visas and found out where to fill up with diesel. We would have been able to get duty free diesel, if we had gone to Papeete and obtained the necessary customs form. For some reason Papeete will not allow the Gendarmerie to issue that form – it has to be done in Papeete. So Diesel went up from CFP105 to CFP168. Also we must be at the fuel jetty early as the supply boat comes tomorrow and takes up the whole quay.
Our first taste of the Pacific Islands, and it has been a very pleasant experience. The islands are all very rugged and covered in foliage, making them look lush. The people are very friendly, though lacking in any real drive or ambition. Also they are not small – both men and girls.
Rob and I visited the Catholic Cathedral, built in 1975. They got all the best carvers on the islands to produce passion scenes for the walls. The pulpit was carved out of a solid piece of wood. All very fascinating.
Not much in the way of agriculture on the island – all produce seems to be imported hence it is not cheap. Beer R50 for 500ml.
26/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -10 09 03.039S 140 30.453W
Woke up early – anchor up 06:30 and moved to fuel jetty. What fun that turned out to be. There was no going long-side as again there was too much swell and this time much more than at the head of the bay. So had to anchor off and back on to the quay. George got stranded on the quay and had to walk back to the town, while we motored back and anchored to go to the gendarmerie to clear out. Again all done in a very friendly manner. A quick shower on the dockside and back to the boat – up anchor and set sail for Tonga by 0930.
Motored out of the bay – no wind – turned right and Tonga here we come. There is a high waterfall some 385m high at the head of the next bay. We thought we would be able to see it, as it is really only visible from the sea, but it seems you have to go up the bay to see it – next time.
The wind is not playing ball – so the quick passage I was hoping for is going to be longer than anticipated.
27/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -10 09 40.399S 142 19.984W
The forecast is not good for the next 5 days, so have had to work on a strategy for maximizing our speed with minimum fuel consumption
Cheers
Chris
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Version: 2012.0.2197 / Virus Database: 2437/5160 - Release Date: 07/28/12
Monday, July 23, 2012
19,20,21 July
Hi All,
19/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -8 07°09.6430S 127°34.6630W
Yesterday 14:00 to 14:00 was our best day for the whole trip so far - 170nm.
Gribs is showing plenty of wind for Saturday and Sunday so we should get to
Marquises by Tuesday. Only problem is what time? I do not want to approach
in the dark so maybe we will have to slow down to arrive early Wednesday
morning.
20/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -8 07°38.1896S 130°18.4275W
21/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -8 07°54.3181S 132°47.1830W
Gribs forecasted stronger winds for today and tomorrow. Well true to the
prediction all hands on deck to hand the asym. The wind was gusting over 25
and the sheet turning block gave up the unequal struggle. (Both blocks have
now parted company with their mountings.) Down came the asym, up went the
genny and down came the rain. What bliss to be able to wash with soap and
fresh water. Fortunately the rain the lasted long enough, or almost, to be
able to wash the soap off. This provided excitement for an hour or two, then
things settled down and the sun even came out. With the wind down to 10
knots and the horizon looked clear so we put the asmy back up. But that
didn't last too long - Gribs was going to win again and prove right - down
with asym back with genny. Guess I must now just take it easy. Monday the
weather should back to normal.
22/7/2012
Position 13:30 UTC -8 08 16.214S 134 58.640W
Gribs lied! S a precautionary we took the asym down for the night in the
expectation of the stronger winds forecast. They didn't materialize so we
lost a lot distance. The morning arrived with clear skies and the normal
trade-wind breeze, so up with the asym. If we can average 6.4 knots we
should get to Marquises on Tuesday.
A sudden wind shift caused a wrap, but it was sorted out quickly and
gradually we got back on course.
Cheers
Chris
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2012.0.2197 / Virus Database: 2437/5144 - Release Date: 07/20/12
19/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -8 07°09.6430S 127°34.6630W
Yesterday 14:00 to 14:00 was our best day for the whole trip so far - 170nm.
Gribs is showing plenty of wind for Saturday and Sunday so we should get to
Marquises by Tuesday. Only problem is what time? I do not want to approach
in the dark so maybe we will have to slow down to arrive early Wednesday
morning.
20/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -8 07°38.1896S 130°18.4275W
21/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -8 07°54.3181S 132°47.1830W
Gribs forecasted stronger winds for today and tomorrow. Well true to the
prediction all hands on deck to hand the asym. The wind was gusting over 25
and the sheet turning block gave up the unequal struggle. (Both blocks have
now parted company with their mountings.) Down came the asym, up went the
genny and down came the rain. What bliss to be able to wash with soap and
fresh water. Fortunately the rain the lasted long enough, or almost, to be
able to wash the soap off. This provided excitement for an hour or two, then
things settled down and the sun even came out. With the wind down to 10
knots and the horizon looked clear so we put the asmy back up. But that
didn't last too long - Gribs was going to win again and prove right - down
with asym back with genny. Guess I must now just take it easy. Monday the
weather should back to normal.
22/7/2012
Position 13:30 UTC -8 08 16.214S 134 58.640W
Gribs lied! S a precautionary we took the asym down for the night in the
expectation of the stronger winds forecast. They didn't materialize so we
lost a lot distance. The morning arrived with clear skies and the normal
trade-wind breeze, so up with the asym. If we can average 6.4 knots we
should get to Marquises on Tuesday.
A sudden wind shift caused a wrap, but it was sorted out quickly and
gradually we got back on course.
Cheers
Chris
No virus found in this message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2012.0.2197 / Virus Database: 2437/5144 - Release Date: 07/20/12
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
16,17 July
Hi All,
16/7/2012
Position 14::00 UTC -7 06 00.065S 120 12.460W
17/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -8 06 20 333S 122 31.598W
Today was an exciting day. We saw fishing boat just before midnight. Not a
small one - over 200ft long destination: International Waters. So we are not
all alone and we know there are three others yachts following our route to
Australia.
The other exciting occurrence was the sighting of dolphins off the bow. Big
very dark ones, much bigger than the ones we get in the Cape.
Rob and I attempted to patch a small hole in the main, but were foiled by
rain. Unfortunately not enough for a wash, just enough to make every thing
wet.
Too much excitement for one day.
18/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -8 06°42.2016S 124°49.6564W
Dark dark night, but at least we can now look forward to a moon that is
waxing. The wind picked up late morning which gave us a slightly better days
log.
And finally Rob and I managed to ride the bucking bronco of the main boom
and patch the hole in the main sail.
Still looking at 24/25th toMarquases.
Cheers
Chris
16/7/2012
Position 14::00 UTC -7 06 00.065S 120 12.460W
17/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -8 06 20 333S 122 31.598W
Today was an exciting day. We saw fishing boat just before midnight. Not a
small one - over 200ft long destination: International Waters. So we are not
all alone and we know there are three others yachts following our route to
Australia.
The other exciting occurrence was the sighting of dolphins off the bow. Big
very dark ones, much bigger than the ones we get in the Cape.
Rob and I attempted to patch a small hole in the main, but were foiled by
rain. Unfortunately not enough for a wash, just enough to make every thing
wet.
Too much excitement for one day.
18/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -8 06°42.2016S 124°49.6564W
Dark dark night, but at least we can now look forward to a moon that is
waxing. The wind picked up late morning which gave us a slightly better days
log.
And finally Rob and I managed to ride the bucking bronco of the main boom
and patch the hole in the main sail.
Still looking at 24/25th toMarquases.
Cheers
Chris
Monday, July 16, 2012
14,15 July
14/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -7 05 12.5S 115 45.430W
15/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC-7 05°34.3781S 118°03.1328W
No ships; no sea life; no birds, just water, water and more water. I am amazed at how poor the stars are here above the Pacific. There seems to be a constant haze in the sky that dulls the stars. Even on a moonless night I cannot see all the stars of the Southern Cross. The Atlantic provided a better spectacle.
The wind has left us – not entirely but enough to reduce our daily average to less than 120nm/day, so we will be doing some motoring.
Current ETA Marquases 24/25th.
Cheers
Chris
Friday, July 13, 2012
12/13 July
Position 14:00 UCT -7 04°23.3380S 110°45.5480W
13/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -7 04°48.9840S 113°14.0150W
The wind had backed during the night, so that when Rob woke up we set the asym at 08:45 Had some fun initially trimming it and balancing it to the autohelm. Eventually the breeze settled down to between 10 and 13knots and life became a lot easier. What a pleasure having the asym up broad reaching - the banging is down and the ride is very comfortable. The swell however, does cause a bit of a hassle as it is coming in from the port quarter and every now and then a bigger ones comes along that lifts the stern and pushes the bow into the wind. All good fun and speed is good - 7knots.
Richard we should be there before your birthday.
Cheers
Chris
13/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -7 04°48.9840S 113°14.0150W
The wind had backed during the night, so that when Rob woke up we set the asym at 08:45 Had some fun initially trimming it and balancing it to the autohelm. Eventually the breeze settled down to between 10 and 13knots and life became a lot easier. What a pleasure having the asym up broad reaching - the banging is down and the ride is very comfortable. The swell however, does cause a bit of a hassle as it is coming in from the port quarter and every now and then a bigger ones comes along that lifts the stern and pushes the bow into the wind. All good fun and speed is good - 7knots.
Richard we should be there before your birthday.
Cheers
Chris
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
11 July
Hi All,
11/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -6 03°57.1005S 108°14.5583W
Let's hope this keeps up. Three good days 150, 160, 160nm and today is going
to be over 160nm. Except for the banging I guess we may well be in the
pilot's Pacific Trade wind sailing. In a proper yacht this would be great
and is only spoiled a little by the continual banging. We can get to the
Marquases in 10 days.
Cheers
Chris
11/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -6 03°57.1005S 108°14.5583W
Let's hope this keeps up. Three good days 150, 160, 160nm and today is going
to be over 160nm. Except for the banging I guess we may well be in the
pilot's Pacific Trade wind sailing. In a proper yacht this would be great
and is only spoiled a little by the continual banging. We can get to the
Marquases in 10 days.
Cheers
Chris
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
9,10 July
9/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -6 03 05.081S 102 44.940W
Some rain all around us but not on us. With the rain came some wind so took in a reef to No2.
10/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -6 03 29.549S 105 21.144S
For first time in a long time a ship actually passed go east. It has been a very empty sea so it caused a flutter of excitement among those awake at the time. I began to wonder about the Pacific as the morning again was cloudy, but it has improved during the day.
Guess we have lots of this for the next 15 days or so.
Cheers
Chris
Sunday, July 8, 2012
7,8 July
7/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -6 02 18.057S 097 59.629W
No much happening – no ships, very few birds and no sea life other than flying fish.
8/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -6 02 40.782S 100 18.330W
Had a hectic few hours this morning. The wind seemed to have back enough to set the asymmetric. So we did. But coming up behind us was a large rain cloud. It brought winds up to 20 knots so we dropped the asym and waited for the rain. Two drops later and it was all over, so up with the asym again. Great speed but not for long. The wind soon veered back to its old heading and down came the asym. If nothing else Rob and I got some good excersize.
If we continue as we are doing this should be a 21/22day crossing.
Cheers
Chris
Saturday, July 7, 2012
5 July
Position 14:00 UTC -6 01 25.318S 093 18.262W
One of very large container ships (LO 1100ft Beam 156ft) passed going north to Mexico Far to big for Panama, but I guess that is why they are busy building new locks to cater for these monsters.
The saloon table eventually gave up the fight against the banging and collapsed. It is now upside down on the saloon floor.
6/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -6 01 51.826S 095 31.312W
I thought we were supposed to be in the in the trades with constant wind and sunny skies. We are getting overcast skies and wind that comes and goes. Let's hope this will change.
I am finding it strange that here we are in the tropics and at night I have to put on a jersey and long trousers with a foul weather jacket - yes it is cold at night and not that worm during the day, something to do with the current coming up from the south pole.
Cheers
Chris
One of very large container ships (LO 1100ft Beam 156ft) passed going north to Mexico Far to big for Panama, but I guess that is why they are busy building new locks to cater for these monsters.
The saloon table eventually gave up the fight against the banging and collapsed. It is now upside down on the saloon floor.
6/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -6 01 51.826S 095 31.312W
I thought we were supposed to be in the in the trades with constant wind and sunny skies. We are getting overcast skies and wind that comes and goes. Let's hope this will change.
I am finding it strange that here we are in the tropics and at night I have to put on a jersey and long trousers with a foul weather jacket - yes it is cold at night and not that worm during the day, something to do with the current coming up from the south pole.
Cheers
Chris
Thursday, July 5, 2012
5 July
Position 14:00 UTC -6 01°05.6590S 090°57.0310W
Up with the sun – except that there was not sun, just cloudy – and the anchor up by 06:15. Motored south into a stiff breeze to clear Isla Santa Cruz, then altered course to clear Isla Isabela, before we could set our proper course to Marquases. Motor-sailed most of the day, but the evening brought wind and current. What a pleasure.
A couple of humped-backed whales gave us a close call one to port then one right in front of the starboard bow.
Beautiful nearly full moon night, no clouds. It is times like this that I know why I do these trips.
Cheers
Chris
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
28 June to 3 July
Hi All,
It's been a little while since I sent a progress report so here is a
slightly longer one.
28/6/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -4 02°09.0950N 083°23.0250W
Continuing to fight current and light head winds
29/6/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -4 00°57.8510N 084°32.6100W
At 10:30 set course for Galapagos. Now that we were on beat (for cat
otherwise a close reach) our speed increased very nicely. What a pleasure to
be actually sailing.
30/6/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -4 00°24.9740N 086°54.2220W
Good fast sailing with genny and No 2 reef. But going to fast or not fast
enough for a daylight arrival, so slowing down. This proving more difficult
as we now have current with us.
1/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC-4 00°13.1700S 088°52.1100W
Crossed the equator at 06:28 at 088 11.642W. Gauging speed to make a
daylight arrival.
2/7/2012
In Porto Ayora, Galapagos
Woke to cloudy drizzling weather with no sign of the mountain on Isla Santa
Cruz (850m). Arrived in Academy Bay at 10:30 (only 08:30 local time) after
managing to keep our speed down so that we would not arrive in the dark.
Anchored off the town of Porto Ayora just in front of a South African cat,
African Star, from Durban and next to a 54 Sun Odyssey being delivered to Oz
by a pom Stephen What a pleasure to be sailing a boat that can beat I am
jealous. The African Star couple, Alistair and Sue, are running the boat for
doctor who flies out every now and then to enjoy his boat with his
girlfriends. They recommended an agent as it is very difficult to get
through the officialdom without being able to speak Spanish. So we met
Santiago who sheparded us through. We had come ashore with the South African
couple to meet Santiago, In the meantime a Port Officer had gone out to the
boat so we had to hot foot it back, but with the agent. A very congenial
officer it was and the paper work was soon done. The back to shore to
organize fuel and pay.
With all the official stuff out the way Rob and I went back to the boat to
sort out the fuel transfer pumps and change the oil on the port motor. The
fuel arrived at 16:00, but when he saw that we wanted cans filled he took
the can away to fill and returned with 200lt of the 450lt we had ordered,
but not to worry another taxi boat pitched up and transferred the remaining
fuel into our cans. We eventually got all our fuel but with quite a bit
spilt on the cockpit floor. We will clean up tomorrow. Time to go to town
for supper.
3/7/2012
In Porto Ayora, Galapagos
Rob booked himself a tour with one of the many diving tours, so he was up
early to take a taxi to shore. The rest of us cleared up the mess from last
night and then caught a taxi to town. I went off in search of fuel filters,
without too much hope, but the second establishment I was directed to
provided the goods. I had taken a taxi (US$1) to the first and walked the
rest. Interesting walking the back streets of Porto Ayora and it proved to
be not that far.
Back on the boat George and I tried to drop the genny for repairs to the UV
strip. It was jammed. A screw had come out of the top swivel allowing it to
turn on the foil with the result the halyard was wrapped around the forestay
and the genny was going nowhere. Note for Ian: The roller furler needs a
good service the bearings on the top swivel are worn and there is a gap
between the top of the foil and the locking device. Thank goodness we found
this little problem here and not at sea. It was hectic enough up the mast
with small rollers coming in. We have Magivered a locking screw - just hope
it will last.
We are leaving Academy Bay tomorrow first light on the longest leg of the
trip. Here hoping the weather comes up to the Guides dream-like conditions
and we find both wind and current in our favour.
Next stop the Marquesas.
Cheers
Chris
It's been a little while since I sent a progress report so here is a
slightly longer one.
28/6/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -4 02°09.0950N 083°23.0250W
Continuing to fight current and light head winds
29/6/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -4 00°57.8510N 084°32.6100W
At 10:30 set course for Galapagos. Now that we were on beat (for cat
otherwise a close reach) our speed increased very nicely. What a pleasure to
be actually sailing.
30/6/2012
Position 14:00 UTC -4 00°24.9740N 086°54.2220W
Good fast sailing with genny and No 2 reef. But going to fast or not fast
enough for a daylight arrival, so slowing down. This proving more difficult
as we now have current with us.
1/7/2012
Position 14:00 UTC-4 00°13.1700S 088°52.1100W
Crossed the equator at 06:28 at 088 11.642W. Gauging speed to make a
daylight arrival.
2/7/2012
In Porto Ayora, Galapagos
Woke to cloudy drizzling weather with no sign of the mountain on Isla Santa
Cruz (850m). Arrived in Academy Bay at 10:30 (only 08:30 local time) after
managing to keep our speed down so that we would not arrive in the dark.
Anchored off the town of Porto Ayora just in front of a South African cat,
African Star, from Durban and next to a 54 Sun Odyssey being delivered to Oz
by a pom Stephen What a pleasure to be sailing a boat that can beat I am
jealous. The African Star couple, Alistair and Sue, are running the boat for
doctor who flies out every now and then to enjoy his boat with his
girlfriends. They recommended an agent as it is very difficult to get
through the officialdom without being able to speak Spanish. So we met
Santiago who sheparded us through. We had come ashore with the South African
couple to meet Santiago, In the meantime a Port Officer had gone out to the
boat so we had to hot foot it back, but with the agent. A very congenial
officer it was and the paper work was soon done. The back to shore to
organize fuel and pay.
With all the official stuff out the way Rob and I went back to the boat to
sort out the fuel transfer pumps and change the oil on the port motor. The
fuel arrived at 16:00, but when he saw that we wanted cans filled he took
the can away to fill and returned with 200lt of the 450lt we had ordered,
but not to worry another taxi boat pitched up and transferred the remaining
fuel into our cans. We eventually got all our fuel but with quite a bit
spilt on the cockpit floor. We will clean up tomorrow. Time to go to town
for supper.
3/7/2012
In Porto Ayora, Galapagos
Rob booked himself a tour with one of the many diving tours, so he was up
early to take a taxi to shore. The rest of us cleared up the mess from last
night and then caught a taxi to town. I went off in search of fuel filters,
without too much hope, but the second establishment I was directed to
provided the goods. I had taken a taxi (US$1) to the first and walked the
rest. Interesting walking the back streets of Porto Ayora and it proved to
be not that far.
Back on the boat George and I tried to drop the genny for repairs to the UV
strip. It was jammed. A screw had come out of the top swivel allowing it to
turn on the foil with the result the halyard was wrapped around the forestay
and the genny was going nowhere. Note for Ian: The roller furler needs a
good service the bearings on the top swivel are worn and there is a gap
between the top of the foil and the locking device. Thank goodness we found
this little problem here and not at sea. It was hectic enough up the mast
with small rollers coming in. We have Magivered a locking screw - just hope
it will last.
We are leaving Academy Bay tomorrow first light on the longest leg of the
trip. Here hoping the weather comes up to the Guides dream-like conditions
and we find both wind and current in our favour.
Next stop the Marquesas.
Cheers
Chris
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