No doubt we’ve had some excellent sailing conditions since crossing our starting waypoint at Nuku Hiva. For the most part the wind has been 10 to 25 degrees aft of the beam, just occasionally creeping up to 90 degrees off the bow. The seas were pretty lumpy, big and confused the first day and a half, but have softened up and settled down a bit, so not many bangs and bumps now. We continue to cheat out way East a bit so when the time comes we can point more downwind to deal with any big high winds and great big nasty seas, something currently available in the ITCZ. Fingers crossed that all settles down before we arrive.
It's almost midnight Hilo time, and we’re 148 nm from the equator, averaging 7.2 knots this 24 hour period. If this keeps up we’ll cross before midnight tomorrow night. Poseidon will get a shot of local rum as will we, and let’s hope that keeps him happy and smiling upon us.
The trip numbers:
Underway: 56 hours 32 minutes
Avg speed: 6.9 knots
Average speed:6.9 knots
Max speed: 12.4 knots
Distance traveled: 389.2 nautical miles
Not bad for a little old Seawind 1160, huh? Wonder what a 1370 would do?
PredictWind says we could arrive at Hilo by April 30th. We won’t hold our breath for that as a lot could change, but it would be fun to get checked in and enjoy the weekend ashore.
For now we’re sailing nicely with the full jib and reef #1 set. Given the forecast, reef #2 may see some action, and we might even get to shake all the reefs out before we arrive, but as long as we’re making miles and comfortable, it’ll all work out.
Only 1721 miles to go!
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