Southport Inbound Day 2

Hi everyone,

At noon today we were at 30 47S 158 41E steering 300M, sailing under double-reefed main and double-furled yankee at 5 knots.  The wind was 16G22 from the NE.  Our noon to noon distances were 102nm by the log and 114nm over the ground.   Overall we'd logged 892nm and 950nm respectively.  Our distance to go was 323nm.

Something missing?

Yesterday afternoon and evening the winds held in at 20G30 from the E.  We copped several more side-swipes, one of which was by far the biggest yet.  It felt like we'd been T-boned.  The green water jumped over the windward rail-mounted solar panel and punched the leeward panel clean out of its frame.  See the photo above.

After midnight the winds ever so slowly started to back and ease.  At dawn we set the main double-reefed.  Initially we furled the yankee to its tripled-furled position but later this morning could ease more out to double-furled.

Dawn this morning

WindPilot 'Kazi' - the star of the show

Throughout this passage we've been watching MarineTraffic.com to keep an eye out for distant traffic.  We're currently 40nm E of a set of Australia fishing vessels, each with a large array of - we think - buoys.  None visible on local AIS yet.  We've been adjusting our course to pass through them with maximum clearance.  The screenshot below shows us on the right and a set of targets to our W.  Very helpful to identify these hazards before we're "in amongst 'em".

MarineTraffic view - fishing fleet ahead!

The wind is forecast to gradually die this afternoon and evening.  We may well be motoring later tonight.

Trust all's well where you are.

Southport Inbound Day 1

Hi everyone,

At noon today we were at 31 32S 160 40E steering 300M, sailing under no main and triple-furled yankee at 5 knots.  The wind was 21G29 from the E.  Our noon to noon distances were 98nm by the log and 116nm over the ground.   Overall we'd logged 790nm and 835nm respectively.  Our distance to go was 433nm.  Only a Freo to Albany!

OpenCPN showing RTOFS ocean surface currents

Yesterday afternoon and evening saw the E winds continuing at 20G35 with occasional rain squalls.  The night was cloudy with the almost full moon managing to filter through.  We've not lost sight of the horizon at all on this passage so far.

This morning we changed from storm staysail to triple-furled yankee as the wind gusts eased a little.  Our course is slowly curving westward.  We'll pass about 50nm NE of Lord Howe Island and S of Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs.

We've been trying to stay out of adverse current.  The screenshot above shows SE flowing current E of Lord Howe which we are avoiding.  The large high pressure system we've been riding is slowly moving E.  We're heading into an area of light winds which will be displaced by a southerly buster.  Happily we're far enough N to only get the tip of it as we approach the coast.  At least that's what the predictions say today!

PredictWind ECMWF Wind

Trust all's well where you are.

Opua Outbound Day 6

Hi everyone,

At noon today we were at 32 56S 162 10E steering 300M, sailing under no main and storm staysail at 5 knots.  The wind was 22G35 from the E.  Our noon to noon distances were 107nm by the log and 120nm over the ground.   Overall we'd logged 692nm and 719nm respectively.  Our distance to go was 544nm.

Gybed to head NW

Yesterday afternoon winds stayed E 20G30.  Seas were up to 4m and we were still being side-swiped occasionally.  At 1730 we gybed onto starboard.  We had hopes of passing close to Lord Howe Island and initially were heading straight for it when it was 250nm away.

Early morning sun

At 1930 we changed up from the storm staysail to triple-furled yankee as the wind eased to 20G25.  That lasted all night and we enjoyed the full moon with only a few clouds in the sky.  We did cop one rain squall which gave us a gust of 38 knots but passed rapidly.

This morning the wind built to 22G30 and we changed down to the storm staysail again.  The low/aft position of the staysail produces a much smoother ride and only slightly slower speed.  Well worth it to keep us rested.  We took one side-swipe which dumped enough water on deck to let some through the dorades.  Not supposed to happen!

Rainbow!

This morning we've been lifted so it looks like we'll leave Lord Howe Island well to port.  We'll see.  The mostly sunny skies are keeping our house battery bank well charged.  We've been seeing albatross and a couple of other sea bird types occasionally.  No more whales since Three Kings thankfully!

Trust all's well where you are.