Busy Night / Busy Day

Gail here - John is about 1/3 of the way home. He has about 1,500 miles to go which will take about another 12 days. Right now he is deciding whether to sail further north to go over the high pressure area or start to motor through the middle of it.

Dear,
During my off watch, midnight to 6AM, I got about 4.5 hours of sleep - not bad. But was the boat ever busy! It looks like we picked up an odd assortment of debris while sailing last night. Fortunately we felt no bumps or knocks on the hull. So, what did we get?? To begin my 6-9AM watch with, we got to clear about 4 ft of what looked like old style fishing net from the Duogen propeller. Then, when the sun got higher, I spotted something that looked light blue trailing in the water off the stern. I removed my sunglasses to make sure it wasn't just the effect of my polarized lenses, and yep, it was still there. And, forward of the light blue was a sort of tanish looking line. Hmmm.

Since a breakfast of French toast was just being served, we ate, then went to work preparing for a snorkel dive to check things out and remove the offending whatever. We hove to, and 20 minutes later in my best imitation of James Blond (according to Scott) I was ready to jump in. Less than two and a half minutes later we had about 30 feet of a light weight synthetic net onboard, which is now dried and will come home with us so someone else isn't at risk for snagging it. When did we pick up that net? Last night? The night before? Who knows? Fact is we'll never know.

Yesterday the boat was moving frightfully slow on anything other than a beam reach that sailing was sooo frustrating. It is true the winds were light 8-10 kts apparent, but unknown to us, could this net have been more balled up on the propeller, thereby also contributing to our slow progress? - Possibly! But we'll never know. Fact is it's gone now and the winds up. And, even though we're sailing deep, we're booking at about 6 to 7 kts in 8 to 11 knots of apparent wind.

In the process of cleaning up after my swim, I spotted a 10 inch squid on the port mid deck by the galley port light. In its death the poor squid slimed the entire area with its inky camouflage - Yuk. We got most of it off but some will need to be cleaned dockside.

Early this afternoon the wind clocked aft and for a while the seas were quite confused and washboardy, but then a new wave train started flowing with the wind so by dinner we found ourselves flying along at 7 to 8 knots with the wind slightly aft of the beam. A really sweet ride considering that we are only flying white sails.

With a 2/3rds moon in the eastern sky, our dinner of Mahi Mahi tacos accompanied by a bottle of chardonay was enjoyed by all. The chef? None other than Scott. Not only is he a great sailor, but an awesome cook as well!

Music 1200; 09/10; 24 Hr Run = 133 NM; Course Made Good = 945 NM
Music: 21:00; 09/09
Current location: 35 57.004 N 149 58.151 W
Current boat speed: 7.3 kt, Winds: 12-15
Heading approximately 060-070 deg magnetic

Monday, 9/08 Update

In reading yesterday's post and comments - I realize what John is saying might not make alot of sense to some of you so I'll try to do a bit of translation. First, the "grib" file is the weather data that John is able to download via the SSB radio (the wonders of technology). This gives him a forecast of the high and low pressure areas and wind direction and strength. High pressure areas usually have very light wind so sailboats try to avoid those areas. The low pressure areas have the wind, but the direction of the wind really affects the course you are able to sail. If you look at the Google track to the right of this posting - draw a straight line from Hawaii to San Francisco. Now compare that to John's track. You will see he is heading almost directly north. He is trying to get over what is called the Pacific High which is a large area with little wind. So he sails north before he can head east. He is effectively sailing 2 sides of a triangle. The sooner he can start heading east or northeast the better because then he is sailing towards the coast. He has sailed almost 700 miles due north and is really looking forward to making that right turn towards home. I hope this helps make some sense of his updates - if not I'll be happy to explain it more in an email. Gail

Hi,
Immediately before noon we caught a 47" dorado, otherwise Mahi Mahi as they're known out here. This is the single biggest fish I've ever caught!! Steve took a couple of pictures so I've got to get the camera home safely for proof. Then Steve filleted it and it's in the refer and freezer. We also get sashimi for lunch. Additionally, we are making water today to freshen our port water tank. We continued our northerly trek as the winds had not yet backed to the east as suggested they should by the current grib files. According to gribs this should start anytime soon. About dinner time the winds veered a bit to the east so we were able to establish a new waypoint, given below. Hopefully they will continue to veer and we'll really be able to head northeast so keep your fingers crossed for us. I was on watch 6-9PM HST and it was absolutely gorgeous out with relatively quiet seas and the moon just half full and coming from our starboard stern. Near the end of my watch I listened to Diana Krall which filled the time quite nicely.

All my love xoxoxo

Music: 00:00; 09/08 (midnight)
1200; 09/08; 24 Hr Run = 153 NM; Course made good = 685 NM Position Report
Current location:
33 26.543 N 154 50.898 W
Current boat speed: 4.5 - 5.5 kt, Winds: 8 -12Kt; oscillating from 40-60 deg apparent.
Heading approximately 10-25 deg North. New Waypoint: 35 01.500 N; 154 19.225 W ; distance: 96 NM

Sunday, 9/7 Update

Position Report: 00:00; 09/08 (midnight)
Wind filled in last night at about 15 - 20 kts, but we have missed the window of opportunity to slide northeast at 30 deg as I suspected. Trades have, and are, continuing to fill in, and the best we can do is continue heading north to about 36 deg. According to the latest grib files they should get lighter as we head N. The weather fax doesn't look all that good right now, particularly for Ada Helen, but the Hi should move south and west and that will benefit us in a few days if it does.

This will get posted sometime in the middle of the night when transmission is the best so my position reports will be slightly different than the body of text.

Love,
Me

24 Hr run: 134 NM; Course made good: 532 NM
Current location:
31 17.068 N 155 10.543 W
Current boat speed: 5.8 kt, Winds: 12-14
Heading approximately 355 - 10 deg North, magnetic
New Waypoint: 33 00.00 N; 154 12.000 W ; distance: 111NM

Saturday 9/6 Update

Time:Music 2100; 09/06 Saturday
Today's conditions: Light air 7 to 11 knots apparent, mostly on the nose which means the boat is close hauled and going slow, about 4.5-5 knots, direction 355-360 deg Magnetic. We just crossed into latitude 28. At least it's not so hot here as down at the lower latitudes toward Hawaii. I really look forward to when we can start making some easting!! Dinner tonight: Dorado

Start of our track is just outside (north) of the Sampan Channel coming out of Kaneohe Bay.
Time at that point was 15:15 09/03; daily run to 12:00 09/04 = 135 NM All other daily runs from here out will be noon to noon Daily run 09/04 - 05 = 141 NM Daily run 09/05 - 06 = 122 NM (actually 122.5) Course made good: 398 NM

Time:Music 2100; 09/06
28 31.279 N 155 34.861 W
Current boat speed: 5.3
Heading approximately 355 - 10 deg North, magnetic
Waypoint: 30.00 N; 155.00 W; distance 95NM May pass west of waypoint

Dorado!

This morning, winds grew light then died all together so at about noon we started the iron genny and motored for a little over 6 hours. Shortly before cutting the engine near sunset we caught not one, but two Dorado within 25 minutes of each other. The larger of the two became an appetizer of sashimi followed by the main course baked on the BBQ, and was enjoyed with a bottle of chardonnay. After dinner was prepared, we went back to sail so we could enjoy dinner without listening to the engine. Dinner itself, was enjoyed under a nearly half moon while listening to San Juan Suite, and watching the stars come out. Ahhhh!!!

We are now making our way North under sail at about 4 -5 knots, quite slow. But it is so beautiful out here under these conditions, my description cannot possibly do justice to the moment. Well, I've got to get back up on deck now as I'm on watch.

Love to all,
me

Music Position 2100; 09/05
26 31.159 N 155 55.523 W
SOG 4.5 kt

Friday Position Report

Music 03:00; 09/05
25 01.949 N
156 52.878 W
Current heading 030 deg
Current speed: approx 6 kts
Waypoint: 30N 155W

I just came off watch (00:00 - 03:00) and for the first time the entire trip listened to my Ipod. Relatively flat seas, no moon, the Milky way spread from horizon to horizon, while listening to "Master and Commander" sound track and "Musical Evenings with the Captain". It doesn't get much better than this. Despite all the troubles of the two previous delivery attempts I couldn't help but just sit and enjoy the moment.

Love,
me

Now We Are Three

Well, it looks like we'll be ready to go in a few hours. Yep, time for another attempt. This time we are a crew of three. My friend, Steve Jacobsen, Scott Saulovich, and myself. This is our third attempt, and it is the third of September. Sure hope all the threes gives us an edge. After all, 333 is rather biblical. Aside from having a strong team (Steve did the race with us, and Scott proved himself last delivery attempt) we have Monty. Who's Monty? Monty is our windvane self steering unit which we deployed on our last attempt North, and worked rather well. We'll also give Music a traditional Hawaiian boat blessing just before we leave.

Wish us luck, we could really use it.

Skipper John

PS - we don't know the state of the battery in the transponder so I will delay activating it until we are further out in the Pacific. I'll be sending Gail our daily positions.