In the Southern Hemisphere

Date: 03/30
Noon to noon run: 123 NM
Time of position: 00:25
Lat/Lon: 01 deg 18.57'S; 128 deg 34.98'W
Course: 220 deg Mag
Next Waypoint:    East end of Hiva Oa: 807 NM distance
                  09 deg 45.03S; 138 deg 45.65W
 

We are basically heading for the east end of Hiva Oa about 850NM away at the time of this writing (17:00 PV time).

The wind was light and out of the east this morning but grew in strength to about 10-15Kt and changed to the southeast which makes it feel like the trades so we've decided to go with it and head for the barn as it were.

GRIB files continue to underestimate wind strength and direction so they are not completely reliable. But they do show some lows which we've seen so there is some value there. The lates weather fax shows only one ITCZ, and that is north of the equator so we are comfortable that the ITCZ is no longer an issue. As we head southwest we have a line of small light puffy clouds coming in from the east, so we will se what changes in wind they bring, if any.

We are celebrating with a steak dinner tonight complete with potatoes and fresh vegies. Yes, we still have fresh vegies. We will also most likely open a good bottle of wine to celebrate. As we crossed the equator, we poured some good gin and good tequila for King Neptune and Davy Jones. And will probably give them another dram this evening.

All is well, and we have 3 happy sailors on board.  John

Moss Backs No Longer

Date: 03/29
Noon to noon run: 140 NM
Time of position: 00:00
Lat/Lon: 0 deg 08.64'N; 126 deg 34.93'W
Course: 220 deg Mag
Next Waypoint: East end of Hiva Oa: 937 NM distance
                   09 deg 45.03S; 138 deg 45.65W
 

We've been sailing close reach to close hauled all day with a nice 10-12 knot breeze out of the south southeast, and are closing in on the equator. When we cross the equator (which happened around 3-4 am), Bob and I will go from being moss backs to shell back. John D., having crossed the equator once earlier in his life is already a shell back. So according to custom he will play the role of King Neptune. Hmmm. I hope the king goes easy on us!

Since yesterday afternoon the seas have been long rolling swells arising from different directions, but the predominant swell is east south east - long, slow and powerful. For the past few nights on my watch, the moon having already set, the heaven has been filled from horizon to horizon with stars. At this latitude you have only to glance toward the north and south horizon to see both the north star and the southern cross - truly magnificant.

Tonight, however, there is an upper to mid layer of clouds obscuring the stars but the brightness of the moon still penetrates. By the time it sets the cloud layer will most likely be gone for the night. As high as the moon currently is overhead, it may well still be up when we cross the equator. Under these conditions I can not think of a better way to pass from the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere. Sure, it would be nice to cross the equator during daylight hours, but with such a sky, it is fine with me.

A gentle breeze, gently rising swells, a nearly half moon, and a balmy temperature. The only thing I'm missing is my sweetheart.

John

Day 12

Date: 03/28
Noon to noon run: 145 NM
Time of position: 22:00
Lat/Lon: 02 deg 05.07'N; 125 deg 01.38'W
Course: 220 deg Mag
Next Waypoint:    East end of Hiva Oa: 1085 NM distance
                  09 deg 45.03S; 138 deg 45.65W

We downloaded a 48 Hr forecast yesterday mornning that predicted that the ITCZ (the Zone) would be in our general area of longitude (120-130W) and between 3 and 5N latitude so we headed approximately due south for 24 hrs. This morning upon entering the vicinity of 3N we started heading more westerly, but could see squall lines forming both N and S of us. The surface analysis we subsequently downloaded from our weather fax via sailmail showed 3 separate Zones. Ok, one is enough, two is too many, but 3? - Come on now, enough is enough!

Well, the weather will be what it will be, so we have to adapt. At 1:30 this afternoon we ran out of wind and started the iron genoa. We motored for about 2 hours heading south southwest and broke through that squall line to find fresh breeze and have been riding with that since. As for tomorrow? We'll see when the sun rises.

On a different subject, we have been using water from the port water tank and making water periodically which has meant that there has been ample water for us. We still haven't touched the 65 or so gallons in the starboard water tank.

That's it for now.  John

Through the ITCZ?

Date: 03/25\6
Noon to noon run: 136 NM
Time of position: 00:33
Lat/Lon: 05 deg 55.90'N; 123 deg 08.99'W
Course: 190 deg Mag
Next Waypoint: 0 deg N; 126 deg W

If the NOAA surface analysis is correct, we penetrated the "Zone" otherwise known as the ITCZ, or doldrums, last night at about 8 degrees north latitude, and exited this morning at about 6 degrees. In reality if it was the ITCZ we went through, it was probably only 1 degree wide (or about 60 miles) at the most, not 2 degrees as suggested by the surface analysis weather fax. But, hoping it was the ITCZ we don't care. Our plan right now is to get just plain south, before things change again. - And, it looks like we're doing that. At least so far. Here's how it went:

Analyzing a satellite photo a couple of days ago while on our way to our waypoint at 6N, 126W, it seemed that a small hole had opened in the ITCZ that we might squeeze through and perhaps we did. We changed course and headed more south than west anticipating it, but we weren't sure. Yesterday progressed with anticipation, and cloud signs growing. Then, on John's watch last night he saw plenty of lightening, seemingly all around us, in the various cloud formations. Then, on my 3-6AM watch, in a light breeze, we passed though multiple squalls with rain but no wind change in wind velocity or direction.

After I hit the rack this morning we passed into clear skies and the breeze picked up to 15Kts. As the afternoon progressed the skies grew to an ominous dark gray and the wind continued to build to over 25Kts. We put in a second reef just before cooking dinner. On my watch (9-Midnight) just finished  the winds have moderated to 10-15kts.

Todays GRIB file showed no evidence of winds higher that 10Kts in our area, although it showed barometric pressure at 1009 millibars for our area. I'd seen that number and the designation of a "Low Pressure" on yesterdays GRIB file forecast for today and reviewed it. A low was forecast for today at about 4 degrees North, and while it wasn't designated on today's GRIB file, it could be that the low was real, but 2 degrees further North.

In the end, here we are closing in on 5N, and making all the speed we can. - Sure hope I'm right and that the Zone is behind us rather than still waiting for us out there - Somewhere!

Almost Halfway

Date: 03/26
Noon to noon run: 142 NM
Time of position: o3:00
Lat/Lon: 07 deg 50.99'N; 112 deg 14.31'W
Course: 200 deg Mag
Next Waypoint: 0 deg N; 126 deg W

The ITCZ continues to keep moving so we've made a new waypoint.This one is at the equator. While we will adjust as conditions change, the waypoint is just under 600 NM away. Considering the new route configuration we will be half way in about another 164 miles. We got our first squall last night and just went through another one. Considering the heat and humidity they cool things off quite nicely. But, during the squall, with everything shut up down below is stifiling.

Day 7 and 8

I've had some questions as to what I (Gail) am doing while John is sailing.  I'm in Tucson, AZ visiting my parents, getting last minute boat supplies, and doing taxes.  Not nearly as exciting as John's trip.  I'll fly to Tahiti from LA around April 15th and catch an inter-island flight to the Marquesas.

Date: 03/25      

Noon to noon run: 122 NM
Time of position: 03:00
Lat/Lon: 09 deg 31.13'N; 120 deg 39.36'W
Course: 210 deg Mag
Next Waypoint: 6 deg N; 126 deg W
Wind: Mostly broad reach to DDW at 7 - 15 knotS Avg boat speed 5-7 kts.

We have moved into the fringe of the ITCZ; actually we were on the fringe since yesterday morning.  And while we've seen multiple squalls around us, we've only received a tiny bit of rain so far, but that will most certainly change. We've been watching the ITCZ and there may be a really big hole opening up. If that happens we will probably dive straight south to get through as quickly as possible. Even after we get through the ITCZ the equator could still be a few days away.

Date: 03/24

Noon to noon run: 106 NM

Time of position: 19:00
Lat/Lon: 11 deg 52.87'N; 118 deg 14.85W
Course: 200 deg Mag
Next Waypoint: 6 deg N; 126 deg W
Wind: Mostly broad reach to DDW at 7 - 10 knots or less; Avg boat speed 4-6 kts.

Music is gybing its way down our course line to our waypoint (above).  We have about 566 NM to get there. Then we will be looking for a soft spot in the ITCZ which we've renamed "The Zone".Our weather guru friend, Simon, who was our navigator for Pacific Cup in 2008 is now keeping us up to date on the Zone. And, we're glad to have him in our hip pocket.

 

Day 6

Date: 03/23
Noon to noon run: 86 NM
Time of position: 18:11
Lat/Lon: 12 deg 58.77'N; 117 deg 04.7951'W
Course: 259 deg Mag
Next Waypoint: 6 deg N; 126 deg W
Wind: Mostly about 150 t0 DDW at 8 knots or less Avg boat speed 3-5 kts


Abrupt changes in the ITCZ yesterday have spun incredibly light winds into our entire area of sail. With our waypoint at 6 deg N and 126W still 675 NM away, and with the blanket of light winds over the entire area it seems our best option is just to stay the course for a day or two and see where we get and what changes in wind velocity and direction might occur. We can only sail at 245 and 195 at best so we will jibe from board to board to approximate our intended route as best we can given the conditions.

Emptied 4 jerry jugs of diesel into the fuel tank and it was nice to free up the deck space. Then we set up the rigging for the spinnaker pole on the port side, so now we can run wing on wing with genoa polled out on either side as needed.

Bob: All is well onboard, and John D continues to deliver hearty, scrumptious meals, as well as his wry humor we all expect and love!

Bye for Now, John