Position: N05deg30min/W146deg41min
Day 9's run: 141 nm
Avg speed: 5.9 kn
Course: 135 T
Wind: 20-22 kn
Seas: 6-8'
Ship's log: 1179 nm
Briefly, the ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone) is a band of unstable weather in the Pacific north of the equator, generally stretching across latitudes 5-10 degrees, where the equatorial easterly winds converge with the northeast trade winds. Squalls and thunderstorms are common, and the idea is to safely navigate your vessel as fast as you can across the area. We're between overcast clouds, and have just been thru a brief 30 knot squall, and are expecting others. It's worse at night when it's difficult to see the stars being blocked out by the clouds; you hope you don't have to depend on the lightening to see everything; if so, you're too close to those cells! It will probably take us about two days to get thru the width of the ITCZ; it's constantly changing its lat/long so it's challenging for any 5-6 knot boat to get thru it without at least some disturbed weather. Otherwise, our overall speed picked up a bit and we're making good easterly progress. I expect we'll cross the equator somewhere around W143 degrees. We probably could go a bit more easterly, but present weather forecasts show the heavier bad convection stuff is that way, so we'd like to stick on the lighter side of it.
April 29 - Day 10; We're in the ITCZ
Position: N05deg30min/W146deg41min
Day 9's run: 141 nm
Avg speed: 5.9 kn
Course: 135 T
Wind: 20-22 kn
Seas: 6-8'
Ship's log: 1179 nm
Briefly, the ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone) is a band of unstable weather in the Pacific north of the equator, generally stretching across latitudes 5-10 degrees, where the equatorial easterly winds converge with the northeast trade winds. Squalls and thunderstorms are common, and the idea is to safely navigate your vessel as fast as you can across the area. We're between overcast clouds, and have just been thru a brief 30 knot squall, and are expecting others. It's worse at night when it's difficult to see the stars being blocked out by the clouds; you hope you don't have to depend on the lightening to see everything; if so, you're too close to those cells! It will probably take us about two days to get thru the width of the ITCZ; it's constantly changing its lat/long so it's challenging for any 5-6 knot boat to get thru it without at least some disturbed weather. Otherwise, our overall speed picked up a bit and we're making good easterly progress. I expect we'll cross the equator somewhere around W143 degrees. We probably could go a bit more easterly, but present weather forecasts show the heavier bad convection stuff is that way, so we'd like to stick on the lighter side of it.
Day 9's run: 141 nm
Avg speed: 5.9 kn
Course: 135 T
Wind: 20-22 kn
Seas: 6-8'
Ship's log: 1179 nm
Briefly, the ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone) is a band of unstable weather in the Pacific north of the equator, generally stretching across latitudes 5-10 degrees, where the equatorial easterly winds converge with the northeast trade winds. Squalls and thunderstorms are common, and the idea is to safely navigate your vessel as fast as you can across the area. We're between overcast clouds, and have just been thru a brief 30 knot squall, and are expecting others. It's worse at night when it's difficult to see the stars being blocked out by the clouds; you hope you don't have to depend on the lightening to see everything; if so, you're too close to those cells! It will probably take us about two days to get thru the width of the ITCZ; it's constantly changing its lat/long so it's challenging for any 5-6 knot boat to get thru it without at least some disturbed weather. Otherwise, our overall speed picked up a bit and we're making good easterly progress. I expect we'll cross the equator somewhere around W143 degrees. We probably could go a bit more easterly, but present weather forecasts show the heavier bad convection stuff is that way, so we'd like to stick on the lighter side of it.
April 28 - Day 9
Position: N07deg10min/W148deg17min
Day 8's run: 137 nm
Avg speed: 5.7 kn
Course: 135 T
Wind: 20 kn
Seas: 6 '
Ship's log: 1037 nm (from Maui)
Yesterday's run was pretty good into the evening, when conditions got a bit sqirrelly. Waves seemed to be coming from two directions, and Max wasn't happy either. We kept luffing the headsail, and tried all kinds of responses to that to no avail. That is until I took a good look at the wind vane...Max's rocker arm had come loose and accurate steering was impossible. I hooked my harness securely and then took the vane steering control lines off. Sue steered, Matt held the flashlight, and I tightened up the machine screw going into the casting as well as the allen screw that holds it all together. It didn't take all that long, but by the time Sue went back to attempt getting some sleep, I called her deckside to assist me during a brief 30 knot squall. Conditions seemed to settle down just a bit from there, winds had moderated to a steady 20-22 knots, steering had improved, and I continued my watch.
Day 8's run: 137 nm
Avg speed: 5.7 kn
Course: 135 T
Wind: 20 kn
Seas: 6 '
Ship's log: 1037 nm (from Maui)
Yesterday's run was pretty good into the evening, when conditions got a bit sqirrelly. Waves seemed to be coming from two directions, and Max wasn't happy either. We kept luffing the headsail, and tried all kinds of responses to that to no avail. That is until I took a good look at the wind vane...Max's rocker arm had come loose and accurate steering was impossible. I hooked my harness securely and then took the vane steering control lines off. Sue steered, Matt held the flashlight, and I tightened up the machine screw going into the casting as well as the allen screw that holds it all together. It didn't take all that long, but by the time Sue went back to attempt getting some sleep, I called her deckside to assist me during a brief 30 knot squall. Conditions seemed to settle down just a bit from there, winds had moderated to a steady 20-22 knots, steering had improved, and I continued my watch.
April 27 - Day 8; we're out one week today!
Position: N09deg01min/W149deg33min
Day 7 run: 124 nm
avg speed: 5.2 kn
course: 130 T
wind: ENE 20
seas: ENE 8
sails: small jib, staysail, 2nd reef main
We're 901 nm out from Lahaina, and arbitrarily aiming at a waypoint of N00deg00min(the equator)/W140deg00min; we're 788 nm from that wpt. Once we get there, we head south towards either the western Tuamotus or Tahiti; we'll make up our minds by next week. We'll have a 90 day visa to visit French Polynesia this time around (we had a special six month visa last year we applied for and obtained), and since there's lots of beautiful places to visit it makes all this pounding to windward well worth it. You've got to have a strong ship and strong crew for this particular passage. Those sharp eyed followers of this blog will note a remarkable consistency in these last 4 days runs; a reflection of us close hauled in these sea and wind conditions in this patch of ocean.
Day 7 run: 124 nm
avg speed: 5.2 kn
course: 130 T
wind: ENE 20
seas: ENE 8
sails: small jib, staysail, 2nd reef main
We're 901 nm out from Lahaina, and arbitrarily aiming at a waypoint of N00deg00min(the equator)/W140deg00min; we're 788 nm from that wpt. Once we get there, we head south towards either the western Tuamotus or Tahiti; we'll make up our minds by next week. We'll have a 90 day visa to visit French Polynesia this time around (we had a special six month visa last year we applied for and obtained), and since there's lots of beautiful places to visit it makes all this pounding to windward well worth it. You've got to have a strong ship and strong crew for this particular passage. Those sharp eyed followers of this blog will note a remarkable consistency in these last 4 days runs; a reflection of us close hauled in these sea and wind conditions in this patch of ocean.
4-26-11 Day 7; Tracking Infini's position
position: N10deg24min/W151deg03
day 6 run: 125 nm
avg speed: 5.2 kn
wind: ENE 20
seas: ENE 6-8'
sails: small jib, staysail, 2nd reef main
I've forgotten to send in daily YotReps Position Reports to our blog, and have started doing so today. If you click on "Where we are" a red dot should show up with our lat/long/date. A series of these red dots would represent our track, at this time from Hawaii to "Marquiti." You can then use Google Earth to see first hand our location. Would someone be kind enough to email us in a few days confirming that the YotReps dots are working for us? When underway, we also report in daily to the Pacific Seafarer's Net, and all our info can be found at their site, www.pacsea.org. My Ham call sign is KJ4IHF. Another way to follow our progress across this vast ocean!
We've found a NE breeze and are making the best of it, working our way east, still close hauled and slamming a bit, but the wind has moderated a few knots, and it really makes a difference. We're almost getting used to walking, cooking and sleeping at a 10-15 degree angle, but comfort sure is a relative thing, isn't it?! Btw, a common cruiser lament - all our bananas are getting ripe at the same time; I'll be making pressure cooker banana bread soon.
day 6 run: 125 nm
avg speed: 5.2 kn
wind: ENE 20
seas: ENE 6-8'
sails: small jib, staysail, 2nd reef main
I've forgotten to send in daily YotReps Position Reports to our blog, and have started doing so today. If you click on "Where we are" a red dot should show up with our lat/long/date. A series of these red dots would represent our track, at this time from Hawaii to "Marquiti." You can then use Google Earth to see first hand our location. Would someone be kind enough to email us in a few days confirming that the YotReps dots are working for us? When underway, we also report in daily to the Pacific Seafarer's Net, and all our info can be found at their site, www.pacsea.org. My Ham call sign is KJ4IHF. Another way to follow our progress across this vast ocean!
We've found a NE breeze and are making the best of it, working our way east, still close hauled and slamming a bit, but the wind has moderated a few knots, and it really makes a difference. We're almost getting used to walking, cooking and sleeping at a 10-15 degree angle, but comfort sure is a relative thing, isn't it?! Btw, a common cruiser lament - all our bananas are getting ripe at the same time; I'll be making pressure cooker banana bread soon.
April 25 - Day 6; it's settling down just a bit
position: N11deg49min/W152deg32min
day 5 run - 123 nm
avg speed - 5.1 kn
wind - E 18-20 T
seas - E 8'
course - 155 T
The wind finally fell below 20 this morning; what a welcome relief. Some, but not all, of the pounding has moderated, but we're still hard on the wind, beating/close hauled. We've put a bit more jib out, and are heeled 10-15 degrees on a port tack. The staysail and 2nd reef in the main remain. We tried to tack earlier in the morning, but the strong Equatorial Current laughed at us, and our final course was like 10-20 degrees, so we tacked back to port and wonder when we'll be able to make better easting, probably in the doldrums when we motor! So, on it goes. We're eating well, getting plenty of rest, the fishing line went back out today (couldn't imagine fishing in the conditions we've been thru this last week, yet alone catching anything and trying to land it to deck...)and all's well.
day 5 run - 123 nm
avg speed - 5.1 kn
wind - E 18-20 T
seas - E 8'
course - 155 T
The wind finally fell below 20 this morning; what a welcome relief. Some, but not all, of the pounding has moderated, but we're still hard on the wind, beating/close hauled. We've put a bit more jib out, and are heeled 10-15 degrees on a port tack. The staysail and 2nd reef in the main remain. We tried to tack earlier in the morning, but the strong Equatorial Current laughed at us, and our final course was like 10-20 degrees, so we tacked back to port and wonder when we'll be able to make better easting, probably in the doldrums when we motor! So, on it goes. We're eating well, getting plenty of rest, the fishing line went back out today (couldn't imagine fishing in the conditions we've been thru this last week, yet alone catching anything and trying to land it to deck...)and all's well.
April 24 - Day 5; Happy Easter!
Position: N13deg28min/W153deg39min
Day 4 run: 124 nm
avg speed: 5.2 kn
wind: ENE 22-25, higher in gusts
seas: ENE-NE 8'
course: 140 T
We're still close hauled and it's been a bumpy ride that no one enjoys. Necessary to get our easting, but that doesn't mean we have to like it! Max has been exemplary. Example: in the middle of the night the port steering line attached to the shoulder of the vane chafed thru. Many boats would have rounded up or worse. Max just settled down, the boat was trimmed perfectly, and it took me a while to figure out we were actually pointing higher than before, still doing 5-6 knots, with no control lines to the steering vane! We keep lots of spare line aboard in case of situations like this, so we were re-rigged and Max was back steering in just a few minutes. Nice! We send best wishes to everyone and hope you enjoy a Happy Easter with family and friends!
Day 4 run: 124 nm
avg speed: 5.2 kn
wind: ENE 22-25, higher in gusts
seas: ENE-NE 8'
course: 140 T
We're still close hauled and it's been a bumpy ride that no one enjoys. Necessary to get our easting, but that doesn't mean we have to like it! Max has been exemplary. Example: in the middle of the night the port steering line attached to the shoulder of the vane chafed thru. Many boats would have rounded up or worse. Max just settled down, the boat was trimmed perfectly, and it took me a while to figure out we were actually pointing higher than before, still doing 5-6 knots, with no control lines to the steering vane! We keep lots of spare line aboard in case of situations like this, so we were re-rigged and Max was back steering in just a few minutes. Nice! We send best wishes to everyone and hope you enjoy a Happy Easter with family and friends!
April 23 - Day 4; Near gale wx
Position: N15deg06min/W154deg54min
Day 3 run - 133 nm
Avg Speed - 5.5 kn
Course: avg 155 T
Winds - ENE; sustained 23-26 kn most of the day and night; highest gust 31 knots; overcast skies with partial sun
Seas - NE 8', occasional 10'
Sails: we've been double reefed for over 2 days; the staysail is set, and we have a very small handkerchief of the jib out.
Discussion: It looks like we'll experience these heavier winds for the next few days until we get further south. We're pounding quite a bit on a close reach, and adjust sails to the wind speed. All's well.
Day 3 run - 133 nm
Avg Speed - 5.5 kn
Course: avg 155 T
Winds - ENE; sustained 23-26 kn most of the day and night; highest gust 31 knots; overcast skies with partial sun
Seas - NE 8', occasional 10'
Sails: we've been double reefed for over 2 days; the staysail is set, and we have a very small handkerchief of the jib out.
Discussion: It looks like we'll experience these heavier winds for the next few days until we get further south. We're pounding quite a bit on a close reach, and adjust sails to the wind speed. All's well.
April 22 - Day 3 enroute to Marquiti
Position: N17deg03min/W155deg51min
Day 2 stats:
distance: 138 nm
avg speed: 5.75 kn
avg course: 165 T
seas: 6'
wx: it's sunny now, but we had overcast skies and intermittent squalls during the night. Highest winds were 29 knots; sustained winds were 25. This afternoon it's been 18-20 knots, with occasional higher gusts. We're still looking for those NE trade winds, but the most cooperative we've had were ENE. We've had to point off a bit for comfort, as close hauled in 25 knots of wind in 6' seas isn't all that wonderful, but we're still looking to make up our easterlies whenever and wherever we can.
Day 2 stats:
distance: 138 nm
avg speed: 5.75 kn
avg course: 165 T
seas: 6'
wx: it's sunny now, but we had overcast skies and intermittent squalls during the night. Highest winds were 29 knots; sustained winds were 25. This afternoon it's been 18-20 knots, with occasional higher gusts. We're still looking for those NE trade winds, but the most cooperative we've had were ENE. We've had to point off a bit for comfort, as close hauled in 25 knots of wind in 6' seas isn't all that wonderful, but we're still looking to make up our easterlies whenever and wherever we can.
April 21 - Day 2; enroute to Marquiti
Position: N19deg09min/W156deg35min
Day 1 run: 134 nm (actually, this is a 26.5 hr run, not a noon to noon run)
Avg speed: 5.1 kn
Wx: WE've had a variety of conditions this first day out. Calms to SE winds of 20. Seas haven't been too bad, 4-6'.
Discussion: We had so many people ask us where we were going that we decided to name our fictional destination Marquiti, that is, a landfall somewhere between the Marquesas and Tahiti. On a long run like this, wind and current often play havoc with one's plans, and we decided we're not going to get beat up getting anywhere. After all, we're retired, right? So, we'll make landfall where ever the winds allow us to get to comfortably, and "Marquiti" is about the most precise answer we can give to anyone who asks, "... but where's your destination?!!"
Day 1 run: 134 nm (actually, this is a 26.5 hr run, not a noon to noon run)
Avg speed: 5.1 kn
Wx: WE've had a variety of conditions this first day out. Calms to SE winds of 20. Seas haven't been too bad, 4-6'.
Discussion: We had so many people ask us where we were going that we decided to name our fictional destination Marquiti, that is, a landfall somewhere between the Marquesas and Tahiti. On a long run like this, wind and current often play havoc with one's plans, and we decided we're not going to get beat up getting anywhere. After all, we're retired, right? So, we'll make landfall where ever the winds allow us to get to comfortably, and "Marquiti" is about the most precise answer we can give to anyone who asks, "... but where's your destination?!!"
Wed. April 20 - Day 1
Lat N20deg28min; LongW156deg43min
Speed 6.0 kn
Course 185 True
Wind SE 20 True
We departed Lahaina at 0930 (late for us!) and experienced all kinds of conditions. We started off motoring, had to double reef in 25 knots of SE wind, and enjoyed a beautiful sail in 10 knots of west wind in the lee of Kaho'Olawe before turning S again in 20 knots of SE wind. We ran the water maker earlier while motoring out of the mooring area in front of Lahaina, and all's well. Max (our Sailomat windvane) is steering and I'm on the roll call for the Pac Sea Net. We're hoping for a nice first evening underway; the weather forecasts have been looking good for the next few days.
Speed 6.0 kn
Course 185 True
Wind SE 20 True
We departed Lahaina at 0930 (late for us!) and experienced all kinds of conditions. We started off motoring, had to double reef in 25 knots of SE wind, and enjoyed a beautiful sail in 10 knots of west wind in the lee of Kaho'Olawe before turning S again in 20 knots of SE wind. We ran the water maker earlier while motoring out of the mooring area in front of Lahaina, and all's well. Max (our Sailomat windvane) is steering and I'm on the roll call for the Pac Sea Net. We're hoping for a nice first evening underway; the weather forecasts have been looking good for the next few days.
P.S. PLEASE, if you want to respond to our emails (and we always look forward to hearing from you), do NOT send our original message back to us along with your message--we receive this email via HF radio, and every extra byte counts. Attachments and pics get automatically stripped from incoming emails, so please send those to our gmail email address instead.
April 17 - Lahaina, Maui
N20deg52min/W156deg41min We departed Lono Harbor early and motor sailed in light winds and flat seas in the channels all the way to Lahaina. On the advice of our friend Sam of the HYC, we left Lanai to port, passing it on its west side, and essentially going completely around it before turning for Lahaina. In that way we were able to mitigate most of the adverse effects of the current in the channels, as well as see some beautiful scenery on the west and south sides of Lanai we hadn't seen before. We saw some whales breaching, and hooked into a large wahoo (on the south side), which Matt brought in on the hand line. About three and a half feet long, we didn't waste too much time before preparing it as part of the late afternoon meal. The anchorage here in front of Lahaina is really rolly, so we doubt we'll stay here too long before departing for French Polynesia. We have just a few things to do aboard and will also see our friends John and Melinda (sv Mycia), so if the weather looks good we'll be departing south pretty quickly.
April 16 - Honolulu to Molokai
N21deg05min/W157deg14min We've departed Honolulu! The weather window looked promising, and, although hard to believe, the reality has lived up to the advertizing! We cast off the dock lines shortly after 0700, seen off by our dear friends Richard and Lee of sv Before. We motor-sailed under sunny skies in 10 knots of SE wind. Of course, the wind was coming directly from the direction we wanted to go, but seas were flat and we anchored in Lono Harbor at 1430. The anchorage is 20' deep, and so calm in here that it's hard to remember we're actually out cruising again! It's been a wonderful first day out, shake down cruise. Tomorrow we'll awake early and depart for Lahaina. Let's hope the fishing is better than it was today...
The picture is sunset in Lono Harbor, Molokai
April 13 - Sea trials and new photo album
Things are progressing along fine. We've run the watermaker, the auto pilot, used the anchor windlass, replaced the 2nd reef line, placed a whipping on the end of the new main halyard, and a bunch of other stuff. Sue also downloaded a new Picasa album entitled "Projects, Honolulu." It's a collection of photos of some of the various projects we've done while here in Honolulu. Enjoy
(AlaWai Yacht Basin is in the foreground of the picture.)
April 11 – It won’t be long now!
We're in the final stages of preparation for departure. Provisions are being stowed, tools and spares have been put back where they belong, and we’re doing sea trials this week, going through systems and using various equipment that haven’t seen any use for six months, like the wind vane, sails, etc! The dinghy motor was started and used for about ½ hour before being stowed again. We still have a few issues to look carefully at, and will be topping off with fuel as well. We’ve also been studying the weather charts and discussions, and hope a decent window for departure occurs by this coming Saturday. Our plan is to go to Molokai, then Maui, then stage from Hilo for French Polynesia. We’ll be off internet very soon and back to our SailMail address, which also means that blog pictures will have to wait until we have an internet connection to upload. Although we enjoy receiving email, a SailMail reminder is probably warranted – please do not forward any pictures, junk mail, or forwards; SailMail will delete much of it, and our daily minutes are limited and are mostly used to download weather underway. As always, we’ll attempt to update our blog fairly regularly and let everyone know the local conditions and our progress. It usually takes a few days to get back into the groove of passage making, but we’re looking forward to getting “back on the road.” Newsflash: our responses to “The Interview With A Cruiser Project” has just been posted! You can read the entire interview at:
http://interviewwithacruiser.blogspot.com/2011/04/10-questions-for-infini.html.
Enjoy!
(The picture is the early morning view from our X Dock mooring.)
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