Monthly Archives: October 2023

What a difference a day can make

Waited till daybreak to shake out one of the reefs on the main sail. Good thing, it’s much easier to see in the daylight. The spaghetti of lines were soaking wet and not running as ‘free’ as usual so took a bit more to shake out that reef.

After a lumpy, “bash your way into the wind”, waking up with a little better sailing angle was like “pinch me, is this for real?” Wasn’t actually Champagne sailing more like Prosecco sailing, pretty good in its own right, but just doesn’t have that same feeling. There were still some waves to contend with, but all in all a beautiful blue sky sailing day.

That “bash” for 24-36 hours was just demoralizing, we knocked off a mere 100 miles toward the destination but sailed almost double that back and forth. Oh well, that part of the trip will be referred to as the “bash” and never discussed again. It’s now over, and we replace it with a beautiful day of sailing.

Prosecco dance moves

Pulled pork over a baked potato for a lunch snack and bbq chicken enchiladas for a late dinner.

Wind piped up after dinner, but still rocking along with 420 miles left to Marsden, looking like we are on track to be in before the next cold front.

Oh, and that spinning thing in Vanuatu got baptized today. It was given the name Lola, the first cyclone of the season, and she is very premature arriving before the season actually starts. And to top it off, one of the models has Lola swinging down the west coast of New Zealand next week. Oh my!

Passage day, Sunday day of rest?

Starts out beautiful, tho not quite heading on course to New Zealand. On the horizon is a nice wall of clouds that further changes the cours.. Shorten sail, you never know what you are going to get. As momma used to say about a box of chocolates. And nothing really but a wind shift and now cloudy day.

New Zealand says, “Not today!”. We are home of Team Emirates, you must “want” to sail to come here!

At least the ‘Noser-lys’ were in the forecast where the wind was predicted to come straight at you for day or so. Our little pointy thing at the top of the mast is pointing to New Zealand as that is exactly where the wind is coming from. This is definitely NOT champagne sailing more of Jagger-Bomb sailing.

With Jagger-Bombs you never do them by yourself, same with this passage we are all swilling the Jagger today The top circles are the boats that left Fiji, and the others from Vanuatu and Tonga. Vanuatu boats were waiting for a bit, but they the cyclone activity pressed them into action. As the boats from Tonga had already made minerva reef when the activity picked up and initially forecast to head that direction too. Makes for a busy ocean out here.

Can’t go directly into the wind, unless you are in an airplane, or car, or well anything but a cruising sailboat

Morning can’t come soon enough for the Advil in the form of another wind shift(high pressure), this time favorable, that lets everyone recover from the Jagger-Bombs and remember that champagne sailing is why we do it..

Just short of being half way: 590 miles to go, all well shaken up on board. James bond would be proud.

Passage Crew.

Looks like we picked up crew for this passage.

This crew member came from reputable sources that touted his seamanship and excellent fishing abilities. I resisted letting him aboard and even tried to scare him away with wild crazy captain like antics. But alas, I turned my back and again he was begging for a a ride.

I was shouting and running about and carrying on, he stood strong, as only a seasoned sailor would. Only occasionally getting up from his onboard barstool when I got within fighting distance. However, every time I turned to walk away and looked back, damn if the old salt didn’t sit right back down

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Unplanned crew holding his own

Thwarted, I resigned to giving him a chance. Called customs and immigration and had the fowl crew added to the crew list in hopes he would be helpful and contribute on those long shifts and help the peace onboard.

But alas, all this guy would do is stand around and make a mess of the place. I even tried conversations and asked for some fishing tips and locations. However, like any good fisherman his beak was sealed, not even a peep of a tip on how to become a better fisherman. Nary even a fish tale about the one that got away.

He was such a loner. He would not even clean up after himself. By morning all that was left was his mess.. Its like he has never heard of a ‘head’ or ‘poop deck’ before.. Definitely went about created his own instead of asking where ours was!

All I can hope is that he left well rested and (or fell overboard). All that is left this morning is calling customs and immigration and trying to explain what happened and why we didn’t arrive with our crew member in our next port.

Now if you see a sailor wearing Red Booties, just be warned he is not to be trusted. Really more of a boob than a crew.

Too long at the bar, Now just holding on with every wave we take over the bows, thus cleaning the poop deck

All well onboard (minus one crew member)
Ticking off the miles, and sanity.
660 miles left, only a smidgen of sanity.
Sails are up, but motor sailing to aid in keeping them full .