Panama Outbound Day 11

Hi everyone,
At noon today we were at 04 20S 092 03W steering 240M, sailing under double-reefed main and full yankee at 6 knots.  The wind was 12G17 from the SE.  Our noon to noon distance by the log was 124nm.  We've logged 1238nm so far and our distance to go is 2813nm.  30% done, and hopefully most of the hard yards.

Into the rain

Yesterday afternoon and evening we sailed through cloudy and rainy weather.  Looking at the satellite imagery on PredictWind showed an extensive area of cloud with us heading into its S edge.  We went through several rainstorms with steady rain but not much wind.  When we got out from under each the wind died.  At 1600 the engine went on to prevent the sails slatting violently in the confused sea.

At 2300 the engine was turned off.  We had emerged from steady rain into drizzle and the wind had returned.  We could even see a few stars.  Since then the clouds have cleared, apart only from the normal trade wind small cumulus.  Overnight we collected 10 litres of water from the rain - not bad considering the heal we're on.  And we 'collected' a booby.  He's perched on the pulpit which doesn't bother us, yet!

Booby on the pulpit

So we are finally in the trade winds.  At last.  It took 11 days including 117 hours of motoring.  Most of the motoring was while motor-sailing, using the engine to help us point higher into the contrary wind.  Wind and current were against us for 9 of the 11 days.  We used 75% of our 280 litres of diesel.  More than we hoped and less than we feared!

We're now ripping along at 6 knots on a beam reach.  It is fantastic to finally have eased sheets.  The WindPilot vane gear is doing a great job steering.

Below is the usual plot of our nearby friends.  The smallest of them is a 44 foot cat.  We might be able to stay with the 49 foot Hallberg Rassy to our NNW, despite their much longer waterline length.

PredictWind GPS Tracks

Trust all's well where you are.

Panama Outbound Day 10

Hi everyone,
At noon today we were at 03 24S 090 20W steering 215M, sailing under full main and yankee at 5 knots.  The wind was 9G12 from the SE.  Our noon (UTC-5) to noon (UTC-6) distance by the log was 108nm.

Sunset replenishing at sea

Yet again the engine went on yesterday afternoon at 1745.  It stayed so until 0445 this morning.  As soon as we put the engine on we transferred 40 litres of diesel from jerries into the main tanks.  We still have 40 litres more in jerries.

During yesterday afternoon I realised the anchor was coming loose.  In longer passages we've been bolting our anchor to the anchor trough to stop it clanging when a wave hits it.  I went forward and replaced the bolt with our normal pin.

Sunset yesterday was spectacular.  We were treated to a green flash.  Actually it was more of a brief green blob on the upper limb of the sun as it set.  Always fun to see the green flash.

Overnight the seas calmed to the point where they were 'glassed out' - not even a ripple.  We still had a long, low swell but the winds had faded to nothing.  We kept ourselves entertained while on watch by looking out for fishing boats.  We saw one yesterday afternoon and another overnight.  Neither were on AIS of course.

Another dawn

Sailing at dawn

This morning we had a good sail to the SW.  The wind is still fickle but hopefully we're nearing the trades.  Every day we think we're almost there.  Here's our little fleet's disposition today.

PredictWind GPS Tracks

Trust all's well where you are.

Panama Outbound Day 9

Hi everyone,
At noon today we were at 02 17S 089 02W steering 225M, sailing under full main and single-furled yankee at 5 knots.  The wind was 9G12 from the S.  Our noon to noon distance by the log was 113nm.

Rainstorms & Rainbows

At noon yesterday we changed ship's time to UTC-6.  So our noon to noon run will be 25 hours tomorrow.

Yesterday afternoon we motor-sailed into a light SW wind after a line of rainstorms passed overhead.  Behind the line the seas were confused and motoring into them (at an angle) was our best option.  We had begun to hope conditions were settling so it was frustrating to find ourselves motoring yet again.

Motoring into the Sunset

We motored until 2000 and then had a nice sail until 0330 when the motor had to come on again.  More frustration!  At 0445 the wind reappeared and the engine has been shut down since.  That's after 100 hours running on this passage (so far!).

Breakfast at Dawn

This morning we had a great sail, close-hauled on port tack.  We were passing 60nm clear of the Galapagos Islands to our NW.  Onyx and Xora were 45nm to our N.  It's been a tough nine days escaping into the South Pacific.  Way to much motoring for our liking!

We're pretty confident the wind will hold in for us now.  Our next goal is to work our way S into the trades.  We'll probably do that gradually, sailing SW initially.  Where before our goal was 'go south' it is becoming 'go west'.

Trust all's well where you are.