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May 31 Still made progress although a lot
slower. The sea have settled down and are now are well spaced 7-8' from
the SW. This reduces the motion and it requires less effort to move the
boat. Resulting in respectable speed in rather light winds.
Phil our ever active crew member is complaining about the short time it
takes to see corrosion appear on his just cleaned SS rails. The shortest
moment in time he says. Its true definition send be a reader:
The Planck length is the scale at which classical ideas about gravity and
space-time cease to be valid, and quantum effects dominate. This is the
'quantum of length', the smallest measurement of length with any meaning.
And roughly equal to 1.6 x 10^-35 m or about 10^ -20 times the size of a
proton.
The Planck time is the time it would take a photon traveling at the speed
of light to across a distance equal to the Planck length. This is the
'quantum of time', the smallest measurement of time that has any meaning,
and is equal to 10^ -43 seconds. Is THAT how fast the boat is rusting? A
nanosecond (10^-9) is quite long in comparison.
Bryan gets licked playing crib regular. He may be the Nanaimo champ but
among sailors he has found a few equals. For whatever reason he deep sixed
his remaining cigars yesterday. Back on the wagon?
463 nm to the gate.
May 30 Well our big sail is over. Still
some sea running from all sides making it a rough night with slamming
sails etc. There is always a price to pay when the winds are going light.
Hope for a early arrival are fading fast. Now only making 3.5 Kts and not
even to the mark.
572 NM to Go to Cape Flattery
May 29 What a ride! Clicking off a steady
8 Kts for most of the day. Last 2 day runs about 180 Nm not bad
considering the seas. Wind was mostly off the beam but now off the quarter
and we are flying. A wet and wild ride. Wet on deck that is as we are not
coming outside in this weather only to check the rig and to check quickly
for traffic.
The motion is remarkable easy considering the still large seas. Western
Grace digs in and at times we are more a submarine and steadily plows
through the swell. Jellyfish flying through the air. Crew is happy as we
are now approaching Cape Flattery fast. 681 Nm to go.
Through all this Bryan has his daily cigar on the aft deck suffering the
weather as for some reason or another he does not want to bring them home.
May 28 We finally got our winds. It
started with a gentle Easterly Saturday morning and built steadily to a
Southerly gale. The barometer dropped from 1024 to a low of 1001 and just
went up one point indicating that the low has passed north of us.
Made great speed about 180 Nm yesterday. The sea where up to 17' and
yesterday and had a wild ride with only a triple reefed main, staysail and
a bikini size piece of Genoa up.
Fascinating with great waves coming up on us and at the last moment
Western Grace rose up and most of the water passed under the keel.
Sunday morning we took on some water over the deck loaded with small
jellyfish. The ocean was full of them and sometimes so thick that the
waves smoothed out where they where concentrated like oil on the surface.
Dozens flew through the air with every wave to land on the deck and than
steadily streaming off out through the scuppers. This went on for a few
hours. Later in the afternoon seas got nasty and as the winds veered a
cross sea developed throwing some breaking waves occasionally hitting the
deck like a ton of bricks.
Things are settling down right now. We increased the sail to a double
reefed main and half a Genoa. The seas are still running big and we got a
few nasties on deck once in a while but the worsted is over. Making a bit
better than 7 Kts right now right for Juan De Fuca 846 NM away.
May 26 Slow day. Not enough wind to sail
and still under power since Thursday night late.
The swell have been big and we did some serious rolling. Now things have
settled down to a low westerly swell.
We have been passing fish floats for days know. In this area of the ocean
we see every year many floats who somehow seem to gather here. Not a large
concentration but a few every day. In the morning we came across a large
16" glass ball and retrieved it. It was covered with a thick layer of
gooseneck barnacles. While still cleaning it we came across a small
basking shark, lazily swimming on the surface.
A hour later crossed path with a bulk carrier heading East. Very slow as
it main cost is the fuel. Ships are written off, crew eats peanuts but
fuel is very much the main cost these days. So if there is not a lot of
cargo waiting they go very slow. We think about 10 Kts which is not much
for a big ship.
Just raised the mainsail and set a bit of a Genoa. Is the wind finally
filling in as expected?
Hope we can sail soon as our cheap fuel from Mexico is disappearing fast.
May 25 Sailed off and on today. Til the
morning we managed to keep going , then no wind as the high slowly
overtook us. Later we sailed a bit and just at midnight ( half hour ago)
turned on the engine again. The weather fax is spitting out file after
file and every six hours it looks like the sea seascape is changing. A
constant parade of weather systems so common in this area are marching by.
It looks finally that the big high is going to move east. Barometer is
1022 MB.
Still a big swell running from the West. Makes for a rolly ride once in a
while. Crew is doing fine. Bryan beats everyone with crib. Phil is writing
manuals about everything.
Outside it is cool and moist. Visibility is fair, with a starry sky. We
leave light a trail of a couple hundred yards astern. As the ocean is
lighted up by bioluminescent.
We are doing a radar sweep every half hour. Just in case we miss
something. It has been lonely with only the 2 albatrosses circling around. May 24 Picked up a fresh breeze at 0730
in the morning. SE 15 and peaking out at 23 Kts or so midday. Sailed
nicely at good speeds. Gibed a few times to keep our overall heading about
North towards 41 North. Last night went on a port Tack and are sailing on
this still. Winds have decreased 10- 15 and are almost NW right now.
The weather picture is changing rapidly. A series of lows and high are
constantly coming in from the West. Still trying to get North to 41 or so
before heading straight East as the Pacific High is too big, and a
shortcut may mean sailing right into it.
All is well onboard. Was a dark day and although it is not cold it is not
as warm as earlier. Especially Phil and Joanne start dressing like we are
approaching the Pole.
Phil worked out the sight he took a couple days ago. He said he will pack
a few extra GPS's along next time.
Heard a ship on the radio but nothing on the radar. It has been very foggy
off and on.
May 23 A big high developed right over
us. As it looked like a parade of lows coming our way they are just North
of us and out of reach. It is said it is not the storms and bad weather
that drives a sailor mad it is the periods of low and no winds.
We have have been proceeding under engine since Sunday 1600 or so. The
plan is to go as much North as possible and try to catch up with the
weather.
Despite this, the crew is doing fine. Today had the crib board out and
Bryan has been beating everybody thus far.
"Al" our albatross escort has a pal and now we have two big birds
following us day and night. The one is the same as last year, the other
looks like the one following us in 2004.
Most sailors go crazy with no wind as you can see. Getting weather faxes
in have to run.
May 22 Day of contrast. In the morning we
sailed at 7- 7.5 Kts in building seas to 12' and winds in the low 30. Then
around 1500 Hrs a frontal passage and since then things gave gone South as
all wind disappeared. So were forged to turn on engine and are now
proceeding NNE at 5.8 Kts. At first conditions where very sloppy and we
just got 4 Kts out of the engine at 1600 Rpm. But now things have laid
down start speeding up.
Another disaster hit yesterday afternoon just as we where dealing with the
frontal passage weather. Our much beloved and trusted captain chair broke
sending Phil flying. Just like a bull throwing off a cowboy. He managed to
land softly thanks to his quick reflexes. Have to add this to our growing
list of equipment which should never leave the marine store. There should
be a severe punishment for manufactures selling poorly designed and faulty
equipment. Maybe we should let them have to use it. May 21 Got our winds again. Seas building
and we got a bit more bounced around. Having one reef in the main and full
Genoa.
Right now we got a bit of rain and the area of rain is extending about 5
miles around us as visible on the radar. Expecting a cold front to come in
so keeping a sharp eye out for that as we do not want to be overrun by it.
As we learned last year they can pack formidable winds. Well this is not
it.
Making off and on 7 Kts, right on track so making good progress. Are
concerned to get too close to the high to our Starboard but for now are
located well.
Was a bit cooler yesterday but still nice.
Days are getting longer every day now we getting more North. Just got to
the latitude of Ensanade Mexico. May 20 The wind freshened during the
night and we considered ourselves out of the light winds and on the move.
By morning where making up to 7 Kts and the seas building. Then around
noon everything went calm and we slowed down to barely 3 Kts. Seas sloppy
and the sails banging. Suffered through it and reduced the mainsail to
avoid excessive wear.
Just a few hours ago winds freshened enough to shake reef and we start
moving again although slow. Now making between 4.5 and 5 Kts. Puzzled as
why this happened as all weather data indicate we should have had winds
around 20 Kts. So much for the weather forecast. Seen now many times that
they are way off.
It seems like predictions are given for very large areas, but vary
significant inside that area. This is a fact often not acknowledged and
dismissed by weather forecasters. These days if we talk to a forecaster we
give a local condition report it sometime is questioned as they believe
the can see better what is happening in our area with the new technology
they have now than we. Believe they do not have as sure a handle on the
weather than they believe they have. Anyway our weather rock is still most
reliable. If it is blown away we have a storm.
The boys caught a nice 20 Lbs Mahi today. Had a superb meal of fish
prepared with some new Oriental spices we found in Honolulu. Stopped
fishing as we run out of freezer space.
Today our daily transom shower and swim was a bit cooler. Water temp is
slowly dropping. Still clear skies and warm.
About 2200 nm to go, depending on route. Right now are heading strait for
Flattery.
May 19 Had another great day. All day
sunshine and warm. The wind Veered to the SE and we changed to a heading
of around 030 T right for the barn. As the winds freshened so did the
ocean condition increase. Still very nice but not as smooth as the
previous days.
The weather charts look very good. A large High to our starboard and a
series of lows to our port promises some good winds up to 30 - 35 Kts the
next 5 days. The area between a low and a high is a squash zone and wind
are accelerated by the enhanced rotation around the weather systems.
Every one is doing fine. Bryan is the life of the party and we have to
endure many a tale. Phil is doing always something and is busy with small
tasks all the time. Making progress in the celestial nav. All are getting
along fine and time glides by fast. Joanne's food is well received and as
always meals are a big part of our day. No one is bored yet.
Had a bit of a disaster today. The lock on the door to the day head and
engine room got broken and stuck closed. This was a real problem as all
the tools for dealing witch such an event where on the other site of the
door. All took turns trying to pick the lock but no success. Ended up
cutting a hole in the panel ( with a Swiss army knife, what a great tool)
and crawl to the other side and cut the lock with a hack saw blade. So
much for expensive Perko locks. Plan to repair the door by putting in a
louver vent.
A big freighter crossed our path today. Crossed about a mile off our bow.
Was heading WSW so assume to the Orient. Phil got a creature out of the
deep on the fish line with eyes as big a saucers.
May 18 This has been some of the
smoothest ocean sailing ever. A low gentle swell and light Easterly winds
pushed Western Grace ever so gentle through the water. No slapping,
bouncing, just a gentle roll so we can keep the cups on the table like we
are in a harbor.
The whole day sunny and warm. We all took turns showering and swimming off
the transom. What a treat. Phil practiced scraping barnacle while underway
but had to give up soon as the boat speed was a bit too high.
Practiced launching the dinghy while underway a good excises for emergency
crew recovery. Than treated ourselves with a mid ocean Zodiac ride. Made
some pictures and recover some flotsam. A plastic net float all grown on
with marine life. Set it free again as there are many little animals
living on it.
This morning the tail of the carcass we towed overnight was gone but the
rest was still there. Probably a shark but are not sure. Cut it loose as
we are slowing the boat down was the consensus of the crew.
Made a 100 Nm noon to noon. Not bad considered we did not expect any wind.
Last night had a encounter with a fishing boat. We came within a mile and
we had to change course. A whole ocean and it has to be exactly floating
in our path. Called it several times but no one awake. This is a very
common practice among the tuna boats. They have small crews sometime only
two and fish during the day. At night they let the boat drift with the
generator on and all deck light ablaze. And sleep all night.
The winds has freshened a bit and has veered More SE. Need to go on deck
and ease the sails to make the most of this wind. Boat speed now 5.4 Kts.
Only 2600 NM to go.
May 16 part 2 What a great day.
Woke up this morning to a loud twang. Obviously something has given and
braced for someone to inform me that we have to spend money to fix
something.
Phil brought a killer lure (rumored in the price range of $50) to get a
big fish. At day break he put it out and shortly there after got a real
hit no match for the old 200 Lbs test line and parted. The rail vibrated
and the twang could be heard throughout the boat.
Nobody saw the fish but rumors and speculation are flying around that it
was enormous.
Every body got up early as the seas have laid down and the winds are
light. Despite this we are still making decent progress as the flat seas
make it easy to drive the boat.
The skies where clear and all been busy doing odds and ends. Crew are
getting their sea legs. To console Phil for the loss of his beloved
lure pulled some Mahi Mahi out of the freezer for dinner tonight. Just
after dinner got a double hit on our fishing lines and lost one of Bryan's
silicone fish lure and on the other we had a nice King mackerel.
Phil filleted it and we are now towing the carcass on a 1/2 inch 3000 lbs
line to see what happens. We let you know.
All doing there watches and a great job of it. Had a close encounter with
what we think was a Japanese freighter or fish factory ship at 2100 hrs.
It came strait for us and had to call it on VHF 16 to make it alter
course. Did not speak any English but knew the rules and made a alteration
and picked our transom. Little we can do as the big ships are so fast we
cannot get out of the way if we want to.
The stars are extremely bright tonight and had a last good look at the
Southern Cross. Weather forecast is for light winds next few days. Will
not complain if we keep moving at this speed though.
May 16 A busy week it has been. After
arriving early Tuesday morning at Waikiki anchorage continued on to HYC
and got into a slip at 0930.
Than phoned customs, immigration and the DA with arrival reports.
Immigration and the DA came out and cleared us in and took our garbage and
inspected the fridge. Jerry and Jason did some sewing on the main sail and
other jobs. We took down the broken light mast and made plans to repair.
Late afternoon they had liberty and at night they took us out for dinner.
Next day they went off to Pearl harbor seeing the mighty Mo and the
Arizona.
Jerry and Jason left on Thursday. Thanks for sailing with us! You did
well.
In the meantime Joanne doing laundry and up the mast too many times to fix
the lights. More cleaning and provisioning and before we know it our new
crew Bryan and Phil arrived.
Rented a car the last day to get the big supplies from Costco and the
China town market. A great place to stop for pigs feet and other gourmet
foods.
This morning departed at 0700 hrs after getting clearance yesterday from
Customs. Motored out of the harbor finding a nasty swell and no winds.
Made our way around Barbers Point having to yield to a submarine and moved
north along the West shore.
At Keawa point encountered a rough swell and a few hours later got fair
wind and turned off the engine. Making good progress Due North. May 10 Arrived at 0130 at Waikiki beach
anchorage on Tuesday morning. Had a wild and fast ride in the channel and
North of Moloka'i. Winds up to 35 Kts and breaking Seas. Spectacular and
really enjoyed the last bit of being thrown around. A big sea boarded the
aft deck just before we got in and came up over the transom.
All crew up all night before arriving to gaze at the lights of Honolulu.
Sailed to the anchor at Waikiki beach about a mile from Ala Wai marina.
2999 Nm zero engine hours on the main engine.
At 0830 pulled up our anchor and Jason brought the boat to the slip. Then
phoned customs, immigration and Agriculture. They came and spent time
doing the paperwork and they took our garbage and we had to disinfect the
fridge.
Jerry and Jason repaired the main sail as it had some loose seams and a
broken batten. Then up the mast for rig inspection and took down the
broken light mast. Apparently sheared the tubing right off just above the
supporting gussets. With the heavy rolling and being 75' up in the air the
forces are enormous. Took about a hour to dismantle all the hardware off
it and took the broken piece down. Ideally the base should come down to
and have it welded but it is next to impossible to do that, way up sitting
in a bosun's chair reaching as high as I can. So decided to try to insert
another pipe inside and epoxy it in tight. Then reassemble the hardware on
top and then epoxy the whole works in the bottom part.
Crew was dismissed and Jerry and Jason took us out for dinner at the
Outback steak house. Thanks guys! Yesterday they where off to Pearl
Harbor checking out the Missouri and Arizona. Jerry left this morning and
Jason will leave this afternoon.
We are now getting ready for the next leg, the toughest of our annual
voyage. Joanne wants to stay here May 8 This morning spotted Maui and
Moloka'i with sunrise. A steady wind 20 Kts or so pushing us along. As we
got closer to Moloka'i the winds and seas increased to 20-30 Kts and
14-15' with breaking waves. Spectacular ride. Making great time now
and our ETA is 0200 at Waikiki.
Will anchor off for the night and expect tomorrow morning to be in Ala Wai
around 0900 hrs. May 7 Despite gazing at the horizon all
day we failed to see land. The visibility was not great with many clouds
obscuring the windward side of the Islands. We have been on a SB tack
since yesterday morning and at midnight changed to a dead downwind run.
Just the main up. This makes us roll but will give us the best VMG under
the conditions. It is still lively but not nearly as a few days ago.
Nobody complains if we once in a while take a big roll. About a hour ago
hit a rain squall with up to 30 Kts of wind in it. Had all the canvas up
and rode it out that way. We can drop at a moments notice and where a few
times close to taking action but all went well and we made a few extra
miles. Which we gave up again afterwards as we lay waddling in the swells
for some time after the squall passed. Yes you need to be always on guard
and that makes it exiting but also tiring.
Had a meat blow out today, as we finished all the extra meats we had in
the freezer. Anything left will be taken by the USDA at arrival as it is
from foreign sources. The same with vegetables and fruits but no problem
there as we have finished that pretty well. Only thing left is a few fish
which Joanne desperately wants to get rid off.
The Moon just came up after the squall went through and it looks clear
behind us. So we may have a few hours before the next one hit.
GPS gives 75 NM to East cape of Molokai. Should have phone by tonight(
Monday). May 6 The winds have backed to SSE
pushing us more South than we want to be. Yesterday the winds went light
and we had to go back on a port Tack deep reach to keep some boat speed
going and to reduce the motion.
This morning we find ourselves somewhere East of the Big Island in light
warm and moist air. The seas have laid down a bit but it is still holding
on. Any thing cups, plates etc can not be left alone as it is in seconds
gone off the table. We are getting good at holding on and moving with the
boat. But it is tire some.
It is sunny this morning and we should sight land later today. The VHF
radio is crackling back to life and we seen two ships overnight. So before
we know we are back in civilization? .
After every long trip a sailor is yearning for land. So today we probably
spend most of our time sitting on deck and looking to the Horizon
searching for the islands. As we get closer the grey mass becomes greener
and greener and we are always amazed how many shades of green there are.
We are so familiar looking at greys and blues that it like a total new
sensation for the eyes.
Feast you eyes soon you will see 3 more weeks of skies.
We have a intermediate way point set for the Eastern Part of Molokai. We
hope we can sail along its pretty north coast in daylight.
May 5 Are moving almost due West right
now. Yesterday we gybed and as we experienced lots of Squalls reduce to a
reefed main sail and staysail only.
With this sail combination we can point strait down wind and have been
doing so since last night. This maximizes our VMG and although it is not
the fasted point of sail it take the load off the rig. Worse thing is we
have been rolling a bit, at time 30 -35 degrees. Hang on!!
The broken mast head light stand has totally broken off and was hanging up
side down beside the mast banging and on a path of self destruction.
Managed to get a halyard wrapped around it to reduce the damage.
The seas are now up to 15' and nicely spaced so a great sight. Lots of
fish as we caught yesterday another mahi and today hooked 5 and landed 2.
One got away and broke a 200 Lbs test line so must have been a monster.
Actually had two on at the same time and the other one landed at 50" or so
a big fish. Have now pulled in the lines as it is dangerous to clean fish
on deck right now.
Every one is doing fine but we are looking forward to a bit of calm as
this motion is making us tired. The last two days have been rough.
Gps says 389 NM to go
------------------------------------------------- May 3 Up date from the "Admiral" today,
all is fine onboard.
The sea's are getting bigger and yesterday we had a 168 nm run, we are
still cooking along at avg 6.5 - 7 kts.
The captain has been sleeping in the pilot house the last tonight. (No the
admiral did not kick him out)
We were getting squalls and the are very unpredictable, so in case we have
to reef he will be right there.
Also caught another (small)Mahi Mahi, we are trying to fill up the freezer
with this it seems. As most of you know this is not my kind of fill in the
freezer...The only thing is we are running low on "booze" (we knock him
out with this)
So if you read this John Christensen we might have some for you when we
arrive in Victoria. (anymore takers??)
Overnight the light mast on top of the mast broke. It is now hanging off
to one side but is still there. We hope it will hang till Honolulu where
we will have to try to get it fixed. This will be a major undertaking as
taking it down is the only way to do that. There are several lights and
antenna's attached to it and they will have to be removed first before we
can get at it.
Well that's it, the captain is awake and have to make coffee.
God Bless you all
Joanne
May 2 We are rocking and rolling. Looks
like a 170 Nm day coming up and although no record it is great sailing. It
seems not fast but in a building 10' sea and with the motion experienced
feels great. It takes many time the energy to drive the boat in rough
water than in flat water.
Yesterday had a small Mahi Mahi on the line but it luckily escaped as it
was not worth taken. We are getting exited about our landfall. The weather
outlook is good for the next few days as we are riding the Southern
quadrant of the high. Looks like we keep 20 Kts + for a while.
Today mainly overcast but with some blue patches. Yesterdays noon sight
was a success. Jason is getting good at it. No engine hours on the main
engine yet and it is our goal to sail it all to Waikiki anchorage. The
last part can be tricky so that will be the challenge. Not only that but
the desire to get there sometimes test the patients to sail it all to the
limit. This crew is great we think as no one has yet expressed interest in
getting star bucks coffee and the Like. (Land vices)
Our calculation put us 735 NM from Honolulu. We probably will make a few
more miles than that as we at this course will have to Gybe South at one
time or another.
Joanne is baking bread. We are eating to well and are getting fat. Still
have lots of greens so no scurvy here May 1 What a difference a day can make.
Yesterday Western Grace lay waddling in the swell in light winds and the
small boats are walking away from us. Today we are moving again and have a
nice sail in 18- 22 Kts winds. No doubt the smaller boats are thinking
about reefing we can take another 10 Kts before we have to.
Steadily picking up speed and now start averaging 6.5 and better again.
Yesterday repaired the mike on the SSB radio as it had a loose wire. Do
not know of it works but will try today. Other than that not to much new.
Jerry's tattoo is healing nicely. 900 nm to go. |