19.37.91 N
121.13.40 W
Distance travelled: 139 NM
Left to go: 2138 (almost a third of the way there!)
Winds: Continue in the 15 - 20 range with higher gusts, starting to veer so our point of sail is now just aft of the beam. We continue along averaging 270 True. The staysail is down and we have been sailing on reefed main and dialing the jib in and out as needed.
Seas: 2 meter swells and still bumpy/confused, but becoming more bearable - we must be getting used to it!
Water: 22 degrees
Before I go any farther, I want to wish my big, little brother, Wesley, a very Happy Birthday!!! I still remember the first time I saw him when my parents brought him home from the hospital in Picton. He took one look at me and cried his eyes out - poor kid!
The last day at sea has been uneventful. I think we may be starting to get in the groove. Our watch patterns are becoming more routine, and thus easier to do. Watching films helps me, and Doug's talking books helps him, get through the night. I have been busy during the day sorting through provisions and meal preparation. For some reason we are in Indian curry mode - last night chicken masala - tonight potato curry and fresh baked Nann. Life could be worse!
Doug spends his day continually checking Ka'sala for wear and tear. The problem we had with the main track last year has started to reappear - we had to replace ball bearings with steel rods as we could not get the Lewmar part in the spring - but is manageable. He has also noticed a squeak in the bearing of the helm and is concerned it may be wearing out. (Let's hope not as that could have a huge impact on our self steering).
Our spirits are high today - especially because Ka'sala is performing so well - and how many miles we have managed to cover in our first week. Earlier today, I looked up the journal I kept on the last passage we did to Hawaii in 2011, and we had fun comparing the passage notes. We have been delighting in the nights - a full moon that lights up the ocean for as far as the eye can see. Magic!
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Monday, April 30, 2018
Sunday, April 29, 2018
Sunday - April 29 - Day 6
19.17.33 N
118.49.97 W
Miles travelled: 146 NM - only 2277 NM to Honolulu
Wind Speed: 15 -20 knots plus higher gusts
Sea State - 3 meter swells with wind chop
Are we there yet? It feels that with the speeds we are sailing (6 - 7+ knots), and the distance we cover, that it should be so. No. No way. But still, not bad for the first week. Comfortable? Well, I guess that is relative. We are still bumping and skittering, but it is beginning to feel "normal" and so I find I am able to accomplish more things other than lying on the berth! Each time we stand we must hold on to something. We lurch and pivot with the boat and fear a bruising fall, or worse, if we aren't careful. Everything we do must be considered in advance, then accomplished a bit at a time. We are especially watchful when Doug is up on the foredeck working the staysail. So far we have been successful - long may it continue.
Last night the wind and seas actually eased a bit and, on my watch, I was able to view a film (Confessions of a Wallflower - despite the goofy title, a pretty good coming-of-age story produced by John Malkovich) which made the time fly by. Thanks to Margie and Chuck, aboard Dreamcatcher, I have quite a few to watch if I so please. (Muchos gracias, Margie y Chuck!)
We both slept very well on our off watches and I woke after my second sleep very refreshed. I actually braved the bouncing to wash my hair and generally clean up me and the boat. We had all developed a sheen of salt on the skin, floor and companionway. The cockpit was greasy with salt, so I scooped up the used wash water and splashed it through the cockpit, rinsing it all away through the scuppers.
I am thinking of Nellie Maund-Stephens who is in Calgary today, participating in the Fireman's Stair Climb Challenge - a charitable event to raise funds for cancer patients. A fireman and emergency paramedic, Nellie participated last year as well, and both times, soon after going through chemotherapy herself. She is one of my personal heroes - always positive, always adventurous, setting goals for herself that would have most people quaking in their boots. But, you know, that's who Nellie is, cancer or no cancer. If you read this, Nellie, know I am behind you 110%!!! You rock!
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118.49.97 W
Miles travelled: 146 NM - only 2277 NM to Honolulu
Wind Speed: 15 -20 knots plus higher gusts
Sea State - 3 meter swells with wind chop
Are we there yet? It feels that with the speeds we are sailing (6 - 7+ knots), and the distance we cover, that it should be so. No. No way. But still, not bad for the first week. Comfortable? Well, I guess that is relative. We are still bumping and skittering, but it is beginning to feel "normal" and so I find I am able to accomplish more things other than lying on the berth! Each time we stand we must hold on to something. We lurch and pivot with the boat and fear a bruising fall, or worse, if we aren't careful. Everything we do must be considered in advance, then accomplished a bit at a time. We are especially watchful when Doug is up on the foredeck working the staysail. So far we have been successful - long may it continue.
Last night the wind and seas actually eased a bit and, on my watch, I was able to view a film (Confessions of a Wallflower - despite the goofy title, a pretty good coming-of-age story produced by John Malkovich) which made the time fly by. Thanks to Margie and Chuck, aboard Dreamcatcher, I have quite a few to watch if I so please. (Muchos gracias, Margie y Chuck!)
We both slept very well on our off watches and I woke after my second sleep very refreshed. I actually braved the bouncing to wash my hair and generally clean up me and the boat. We had all developed a sheen of salt on the skin, floor and companionway. The cockpit was greasy with salt, so I scooped up the used wash water and splashed it through the cockpit, rinsing it all away through the scuppers.
I am thinking of Nellie Maund-Stephens who is in Calgary today, participating in the Fireman's Stair Climb Challenge - a charitable event to raise funds for cancer patients. A fireman and emergency paramedic, Nellie participated last year as well, and both times, soon after going through chemotherapy herself. She is one of my personal heroes - always positive, always adventurous, setting goals for herself that would have most people quaking in their boots. But, you know, that's who Nellie is, cancer or no cancer. If you read this, Nellie, know I am behind you 110%!!! You rock!
----------
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Saturday, April 28, 2018
April 28 Saturday Day 5
19.03.88 N
116.17.59 W
146 NM travelled
2423 NM to go!
As you can see from the mileage made good in Day 5 we have had very good winds - averaging 20 knots. We are still close reaching and the seas are quite large at three meters and fairly choppy. It is boisterous to say the least. Today has continued the same and I expect we will see high miles for Day 6 as well. We continue with our reefed main/stay sail and small jib configuration. Ka'sala rides quite steadily, all things considered.
Doug is in his element, happy to see all his plans and hard work coming to fruition. He is so talented in all the areas that an ocean going sailboat requires. I'm holding in there. I'm not sick, but a bit apprehensive. It is difficult for me to do much of anything in these conditions so I spend the time I am not on watch sleeping and thinking. It takes a long, careful time to prepare the simplest of meals, but we are getting fed and are far from hungry.
There is a lot of spray outside so we aren't spending much time in the cockpit, other than to check the seas around us and be sure all things are well aloft. We have to do minor adjustments to the monitor, but it is doing a great job keeping us pointed in the right direction. We curl up at the nav station and in the port bunk - which we have set up as a seaberth with leecloths attached. We've been listening to some nice music this afternoon - Chris Isaak and Dougie MacLean. The swishing sounds of waves in the background are a fitting accompaniment.
The sun is shining through a wispy cloud cover, the seas sparkle and it is warm. All is well aboard the little green boat.
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116.17.59 W
146 NM travelled
2423 NM to go!
As you can see from the mileage made good in Day 5 we have had very good winds - averaging 20 knots. We are still close reaching and the seas are quite large at three meters and fairly choppy. It is boisterous to say the least. Today has continued the same and I expect we will see high miles for Day 6 as well. We continue with our reefed main/stay sail and small jib configuration. Ka'sala rides quite steadily, all things considered.
Doug is in his element, happy to see all his plans and hard work coming to fruition. He is so talented in all the areas that an ocean going sailboat requires. I'm holding in there. I'm not sick, but a bit apprehensive. It is difficult for me to do much of anything in these conditions so I spend the time I am not on watch sleeping and thinking. It takes a long, careful time to prepare the simplest of meals, but we are getting fed and are far from hungry.
There is a lot of spray outside so we aren't spending much time in the cockpit, other than to check the seas around us and be sure all things are well aloft. We have to do minor adjustments to the monitor, but it is doing a great job keeping us pointed in the right direction. We curl up at the nav station and in the port bunk - which we have set up as a seaberth with leecloths attached. We've been listening to some nice music this afternoon - Chris Isaak and Dougie MacLean. The swishing sounds of waves in the background are a fitting accompaniment.
The sun is shining through a wispy cloud cover, the seas sparkle and it is warm. All is well aboard the little green boat.
----------
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Friday, April 27, 2018
April 27 - Friday - Day 4
19.07.806 N
113.41.06 W
114 NM travelled - 417 as of 1300UTC
2569 NM to Honolulu
A word about distance: Doug plotted our course to Hawaii using the Great Circle Route. That's where the 2986 NM total comes from. Of course, unless all the conditions align, sailboats rarely follow lines and we are no different. We have to accommodate wind and sea conditions. When the wind comes from our stern quarter, it is easier to follow the course line. When the wind is ahead of the beam it is next to impossible. And so it is for us. We try to keep to the line, but we have to fall off to the south to fill our sails and to keep the voyage somewhat comfortable. This is why I sometimes report distance travelled to our destination, as opposed to distance travelled. Make sense? I know, complicated again!
At the moment, we are close reaching into 25 knots of wind and 3 meter seas and somewhat holding our heading of 270T. No, perhaps we are being tossed! I thought we were bouncing around yesterday! Ah, here is the other thing - wind forecasting. At the moment we are in an area that was predicted to have winds of 15 knots. Well, you can yell at the weather gods, or the weather men, but the fact of the matter is - we are in it and we have to deal with it. Probably no hot supper tonight.
We have done some reconfiguring to try to stabilize the situation - we have hoisted our staysail and the new back stays that Doug made. This way we can reduce the headsail, yet still maintain speed and bring the pressure back closer to the mast. At the moment our mainsail is also double reefed and we are scampering along at 7 knots. Fun! Well, it would be a lot more fun if I knew there was a cold beer, a hot shower and a warm bed waiting for me at the end of the day! Maybe those bay racers know something I don't!
But we are in good spirits. After all, a fast sail will bring us, well, closer to our destination, faster! We are warm, dry and snug below, though it is a bit humid and warm. Hopefully things will settle down.
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113.41.06 W
114 NM travelled - 417 as of 1300UTC
2569 NM to Honolulu
A word about distance: Doug plotted our course to Hawaii using the Great Circle Route. That's where the 2986 NM total comes from. Of course, unless all the conditions align, sailboats rarely follow lines and we are no different. We have to accommodate wind and sea conditions. When the wind comes from our stern quarter, it is easier to follow the course line. When the wind is ahead of the beam it is next to impossible. And so it is for us. We try to keep to the line, but we have to fall off to the south to fill our sails and to keep the voyage somewhat comfortable. This is why I sometimes report distance travelled to our destination, as opposed to distance travelled. Make sense? I know, complicated again!
At the moment, we are close reaching into 25 knots of wind and 3 meter seas and somewhat holding our heading of 270T. No, perhaps we are being tossed! I thought we were bouncing around yesterday! Ah, here is the other thing - wind forecasting. At the moment we are in an area that was predicted to have winds of 15 knots. Well, you can yell at the weather gods, or the weather men, but the fact of the matter is - we are in it and we have to deal with it. Probably no hot supper tonight.
We have done some reconfiguring to try to stabilize the situation - we have hoisted our staysail and the new back stays that Doug made. This way we can reduce the headsail, yet still maintain speed and bring the pressure back closer to the mast. At the moment our mainsail is also double reefed and we are scampering along at 7 knots. Fun! Well, it would be a lot more fun if I knew there was a cold beer, a hot shower and a warm bed waiting for me at the end of the day! Maybe those bay racers know something I don't!
But we are in good spirits. After all, a fast sail will bring us, well, closer to our destination, faster! We are warm, dry and snug below, though it is a bit humid and warm. Hopefully things will settle down.
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Thursday, April 26, 2018
April 26 Thursday Day 3
At 2300 UTC (5pm local)
19.37.187 N
111.15.299W
Distance travelled: 105 to Honolulu
2683 NM to go!
Sea state: 2 meter swell with a wind chop
We motor sailed for 5 hours yesterday afternoon, then the wind picked up. Overnight we saw a high of 18 knots. That doesn't seem so bad, but we were on a beat - meaning we were sailing as close to the wind as we could to keep to our course of 270 degrees. This is not Ka'sala's, nor my, best point of sail, however, we were able to maintain an average of about 4.5 knots. The wind speed and direction is the same today, but we have fallen off slightly to make the ride a little more comfortable.
Being on a beat means that the boat is heeled on its side and it bounces up and down as it moves through the waves. It takes some getting used to. Luckily, there is no seasickness aboard, but it is hard to do much when everything is moving around. I feel lethargic, but I know it will pass. Doug is loving every minute. Even the smallest task, like filling a water bottle, takes time and determination. When you can't do much else beside think, it is hard not to focus on your discomfort.
Our squadron of boobies have deserted us and we have seen no wildlife today other than a tiny, dead flying fish on the deck. We did see more container ships, one passing us just a couple miles away. The sun is out, but the wind has made it a little cooler. Water is also a "chilly" (lol) 24 degrees!
Today I thought a lot about friends we have left behind in Mexico and the wonderful times we had there. I guess part of the transition to a new chapter in your life is letting go of the past....but some days it is hard.
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19.37.187 N
111.15.299W
Distance travelled: 105 to Honolulu
2683 NM to go!
Sea state: 2 meter swell with a wind chop
We motor sailed for 5 hours yesterday afternoon, then the wind picked up. Overnight we saw a high of 18 knots. That doesn't seem so bad, but we were on a beat - meaning we were sailing as close to the wind as we could to keep to our course of 270 degrees. This is not Ka'sala's, nor my, best point of sail, however, we were able to maintain an average of about 4.5 knots. The wind speed and direction is the same today, but we have fallen off slightly to make the ride a little more comfortable.
Being on a beat means that the boat is heeled on its side and it bounces up and down as it moves through the waves. It takes some getting used to. Luckily, there is no seasickness aboard, but it is hard to do much when everything is moving around. I feel lethargic, but I know it will pass. Doug is loving every minute. Even the smallest task, like filling a water bottle, takes time and determination. When you can't do much else beside think, it is hard not to focus on your discomfort.
Our squadron of boobies have deserted us and we have seen no wildlife today other than a tiny, dead flying fish on the deck. We did see more container ships, one passing us just a couple miles away. The sun is out, but the wind has made it a little cooler. Water is also a "chilly" (lol) 24 degrees!
Today I thought a lot about friends we have left behind in Mexico and the wonderful times we had there. I guess part of the transition to a new chapter in your life is letting go of the past....but some days it is hard.
----------
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Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Day Two - April 24/25
At 11:00 UTC
20.11.252 N
109.27.773 W
Distance travelled: 109 NM, 98 NM to Honolulu
Distance left to travel: 2788 NM
Wind: 5 knots
Sea State: 1 meter, long period swell
Crew State: getting acclimatized and feeling positive
A word about distance and time.
For the blog, I will be calculating the distance travelled in a 24 hour period from the minute we left Nuevo Vallarta (which was 10:30 AM local time on April 23). However, we will be crossing five time zones to get to Hawaii, so that 24 hour period will be averaged in over the course of the voyage. I will be reporting our progress to the blog after that 24 hour period, so the Lat/Long,distance to travel, wind, sea and crew state listed is for the UTC (Greenwich) time I am actually making my blog entry. (For example, today I am writing at 5:00 local time) Doug reports on the Pacific Seafarer's Net every evening at 3:00 UTC, which is 10pm in this time zone. His lat/long and other statistics will be reported for 3:00 UTC. I know, I know, it sounds incredibly complicated but, hey! That's what it is like for us when we make the passage!
We motor-sailed until late afternoon yesterday when the wind picked up 10 - 15 knots from the W and during the night moved NW. We were able to beat into it comfortably and maintain 4 - 5 knots for the next 18 hours. Bliss! The night was clearer and the moon brighter. We have been visited over the last 24 hours by a squadron of brown-footed boobies who have been entertaining us with their incredible aerobatics. Two decided to spend the night on our pulpit and they looked amazing silhouetted against the moonlight. Doug wasn't quite so amazed in the morning when he had to clean up what they left behind!
In addition to the boobies, we have been visited by tiny little sea birds skimming the waves and a small squid decided he would try life on deck. It didn't work out for him! The best sight, however, was to see a false Orca completely leap out of the water a hundred meters from Ka'sala. I could hardly believe my eyes as it looked like an enormous dolphin with the profile of an Orca - but without the black and white colouring. Imagine: a false, false whale! We watched and watched for him to jump again, but we were disappointed.
Last night we both slept very well and extended our morning watch from two to four hours each. We know we need to be flexible to accommodate our needs. Each day we will feel more in tune with the non stop movement. However, none of that has stopped us from preparing meals and eating well.
It is still very warm, especially in the cabin, and the sea is an incredible colour of light blue. I have only experienced it away from land and, when I am not at sea, I often dream of it. Pretty special.
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20.11.252 N
109.27.773 W
Distance travelled: 109 NM, 98 NM to Honolulu
Distance left to travel: 2788 NM
Wind: 5 knots
Sea State: 1 meter, long period swell
Crew State: getting acclimatized and feeling positive
A word about distance and time.
For the blog, I will be calculating the distance travelled in a 24 hour period from the minute we left Nuevo Vallarta (which was 10:30 AM local time on April 23). However, we will be crossing five time zones to get to Hawaii, so that 24 hour period will be averaged in over the course of the voyage. I will be reporting our progress to the blog after that 24 hour period, so the Lat/Long,distance to travel, wind, sea and crew state listed is for the UTC (Greenwich) time I am actually making my blog entry. (For example, today I am writing at 5:00 local time) Doug reports on the Pacific Seafarer's Net every evening at 3:00 UTC, which is 10pm in this time zone. His lat/long and other statistics will be reported for 3:00 UTC. I know, I know, it sounds incredibly complicated but, hey! That's what it is like for us when we make the passage!
We motor-sailed until late afternoon yesterday when the wind picked up 10 - 15 knots from the W and during the night moved NW. We were able to beat into it comfortably and maintain 4 - 5 knots for the next 18 hours. Bliss! The night was clearer and the moon brighter. We have been visited over the last 24 hours by a squadron of brown-footed boobies who have been entertaining us with their incredible aerobatics. Two decided to spend the night on our pulpit and they looked amazing silhouetted against the moonlight. Doug wasn't quite so amazed in the morning when he had to clean up what they left behind!
In addition to the boobies, we have been visited by tiny little sea birds skimming the waves and a small squid decided he would try life on deck. It didn't work out for him! The best sight, however, was to see a false Orca completely leap out of the water a hundred meters from Ka'sala. I could hardly believe my eyes as it looked like an enormous dolphin with the profile of an Orca - but without the black and white colouring. Imagine: a false, false whale! We watched and watched for him to jump again, but we were disappointed.
Last night we both slept very well and extended our morning watch from two to four hours each. We know we need to be flexible to accommodate our needs. Each day we will feel more in tune with the non stop movement. However, none of that has stopped us from preparing meals and eating well.
It is still very warm, especially in the cabin, and the sea is an incredible colour of light blue. I have only experienced it away from land and, when I am not at sea, I often dream of it. Pretty special.
----------
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Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Day One: Tuesday, April 24
8:30 UTC (Greenich time - about 2:30pm where I am).
20.34859N
107.41634W
5 knots of wind and we are motor-sailing
In the first 24 hours we covered 110 miles, 100 to our destination (2791 to go!)
Air temperature: 30c Sea temperature: 27c
Sea state: low rolling swell
Crew state: happy to be underway!
We had a wonderful sail out of Banderas Bay - beating into 10 - 15 knots, Ka'sala was comfortably heeled. The seas were relatively calm and developed into a 2 foot chop. Unfortunately, by 10pm the wind had died and we have been motor-sailing ever since. We hope to find the wind again sometime tonight as we pass out of the influence of the Sea of Cortez.
So far we haven't seen much wildlife - a few boobies interested in our wind instruments at the top of the mast, a large sea turtle and a few dolphins in the distance. What we have seen are a lot of enormous cargo ships (200 - 300 meters long!) as we are traversing a large shipping lane. According to the AIS, many of their destinations are California, Manzanillo and Panama.
We have started a four hour watch pattern through the night that has worked well for us in the past: 8-12 Doug, 12-4 Lyneita, 4-6 Doug, 6 - 8 Lyneita. During the day we switch off as needed as we both have other activities throughout the day such as meal prep, navigation and keeping the boat going. It takes a few days to get into the groove. More tomorrow....
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20.34859N
107.41634W
5 knots of wind and we are motor-sailing
In the first 24 hours we covered 110 miles, 100 to our destination (2791 to go!)
Air temperature: 30c Sea temperature: 27c
Sea state: low rolling swell
Crew state: happy to be underway!
We had a wonderful sail out of Banderas Bay - beating into 10 - 15 knots, Ka'sala was comfortably heeled. The seas were relatively calm and developed into a 2 foot chop. Unfortunately, by 10pm the wind had died and we have been motor-sailing ever since. We hope to find the wind again sometime tonight as we pass out of the influence of the Sea of Cortez.
So far we haven't seen much wildlife - a few boobies interested in our wind instruments at the top of the mast, a large sea turtle and a few dolphins in the distance. What we have seen are a lot of enormous cargo ships (200 - 300 meters long!) as we are traversing a large shipping lane. According to the AIS, many of their destinations are California, Manzanillo and Panama.
We have started a four hour watch pattern through the night that has worked well for us in the past: 8-12 Doug, 12-4 Lyneita, 4-6 Doug, 6 - 8 Lyneita. During the day we switch off as needed as we both have other activities throughout the day such as meal prep, navigation and keeping the boat going. It takes a few days to get into the groove. More tomorrow....
----------
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