Miles traveled last 24 hours: 99
Miles traveled to date: 210
Miles to Hiva Oa: 2,937
Shortly after I posted yesterday’s blog the wind filled in enough to keep the spinnaker full. Then at dusk it settled in to a nice 8 knots, which with a spinnaker up and on our beam gave us about 3.5 to 4 knots (including the current) all night. The swell was down significantly and the motion of the boat gave us both the best night’s sleep we’ve ever had on passage. It was absolutely magical on watch with the full moon and clear skies as we slipped through the water with that big sail pulling us along.
This morning the wind piped up and by the time Rob woke up for his 8:00 watch I had turned us downwind because we were screaming along too fast to keep the wind on our beam. It was up to 14 knots true, which is about out limit for the spinnaker while we’re out cruising. I know our friends we used to race boats with are thinking we’ve gone soft, but remember that this is our home and we’re very interested in keeping it all intact. Besides, we’re a long long way from a hospital if either of us gets hurt trying to get an out of control sail down in too much wind.
Now we’re still plodding along making 5 knots with about 10 knots of wind, which doesn’t show on any of the forecasts we’re getting. But we won’t complain, that’s for sure. We’re heading more south than southwest, trying to get into something resembling tradewinds, so once we hit steadily stronger winds we’ll turn west.
We will haven’t hooked any fish yet, so tomorrow morning Rob is going to put the lures out when he comes off watch at 5:00 am. I hesitate to while he’s sleeping but they don’t bite as much mid day so he’s willing to wake up to land one if that tactic helps. Maya got a big helping of hamburger I was cooking up for some lasagne today so she’s willing to wait another day for fresh fish.
Teresa
