Opua Inbound Day 3

Hi everyone,

At noon today we were at 34 07S 174 44E steering 185M, sailing under double-reefed main and double-furled yankee at 6 knots.  The wind was 15G18 from the E.  Our noon to noon distances were 122nm by the log and 127nm over the ground.   Overall we'd logged 688nm and 745nm respectively.  Our distance to go was 79nm.  Just a Freo to Bunbury.

Into the blue

Yesterday afternoon the wind held in at 20G28 fro the E to ENE until mid-evening.  Then we broke out of the cloud and wind decreased gradually to 15G20.  We had a 7/8 moon which lit the scene wonderfully and made the brighter stars conspicuous.  Twas a very nice overnight sail.

By dawn low cloud had re-emerged and the wind continued to slowly ease.  Then mid-morning the sky began to clear again with only mid-level cloud remaining.  The 'long white cloud' perhaps! 

The screenshot below shows our position at noon and the few other yachts still at sea in our group.  Two days north are EBBYC SVs Moody Rudie and Island Kea II.  They spent only one night at Minerva Reef before departing.  We've been between a few days and a couple of weeks ahead of them all the way across the South Pacific, apart from a few brief get-togethers.

PredictWind Tracks

We've updated our ETA with NZ Customs from noon Thursday to dawn tomorrow (Wednesday).  We'll be very pleased to have made the passage in a week.

Trust all's well where you are!

Opua Inbound Day 2

Hi everyone,

At noon today we were at 32 18S 175 57E steering 190M, under double-reefed main and storm staysail at 5 knots.  The wind was 20G27 from the ENE.  Our noon to noon distances were 113nm by the log and 120nm over the ground.   Overall we'd logged 566nm and 618nm respectively.  Our distance to go was 204nm.  Just a Freo to Geraldton.

Into the grey

Yesterday afternoon the engine was shutdown at 1400 when a new breeze appeared.  We'd been fooled by two preceding new winds, thinking they were the predicted wind arriving at last.  But this one was the real deal.  Since the wind was predicted to increase and boats ahead of us reported strong winds and nasty sea state we double-furled the main and set the storm staysail.

Kazi the WindPilot at work in 3m waves

Overnight the winds stayed moderate but the sea state was pretty ugly with 3m waves falling over themselves.  Very rolly and a little concerning since we were beam on to them.  But Zen Again handled it well and by midnight the seas had calmed to match the 15G20 wind.

By dawn the wind had built to 25G30 and the waves were building back up but not breaking.  The sea scape was quite impressive under a low overcast sky with light rain.  Temperature dropped from 19 to 16C.  We were passed through the stationary front shown on the synoptic chart below.

Synoptic Chart showing stationary front

The screenshot below shows a set of boats which departed Minerva Reef on the same day as us.  All except one are much bigger than us.  The top left blue boat is Swedish sv Aura, a 32-footer, and we're to their E.  It seems they're determined to overtake us.  We're taking it easy for a Wednesday morning arrival.

PredictWind Tracks

Trust all's well where you are!

Opua Inbound Day 1

Hi everyone,

At noon today we were at 30 40S 177 12E steering 210M, motoring at 5 knots.  The wind was 8G12 from the SE.  Our noon to noon distances were 116nm by the log and 123nm over the ground.   Overall we'd logged 452nm and 498nm respectively.  Our distance to go was 320nm. 

Rugged Up

Yesterday afternoon we had the motor on for an hour, then in the evening for 7 hours.  And since 0800 this morning.  Winds have been very variable and we've been sailing when possible.  This morning's motoring was due to a very confused sea which shook the wind out of the sails as we pitched and rolled.  And it rained for much of the evening.  Champagne sailing it is not!

We believe we're at last getting clear of the stationary front and mid-level trough we've been battling through.  We hope to get into the E winds soon and they should take us all the way to Opua.

Another cloudy dawn

Below is a screenshot of the group around us and current forecast winds at noon today.  We are the middle blue dot in the top 'row', on the S edge of the 'blue hole'.  Almost into the wind!

PredictWind Tracks

Trust all's well where you are.