Fiji to Vanuatu - Day 1
07 August 2015 | 18 50.12'S:174 29.38'E, 167 miles out
Colin
Our first day out of Fiji with the ICA Rally was a real mixed bag. Getting cleared out of Fiji from Musket Cove was a breeze thanks to the rally organizers. In fact we wereoff the mooring and headed out the pass by noon. We left the pass in the company of 6 other boats from the rally. Most of that afternoon we had 20-25 kts from behind us with following seas. But just as it started getting dark we approached a large front that was full of little squalls and it quickly swung the wind through180 degrees. One guy just 2 miles away said he got hit by a 30 second burst of 50 kt winds! All night long webounced through large confused seas close reaching at 8 kts in 20-25 kts TWS. Finally late this morning the wind eased a little to about 18-20 kts and theseas are a bit more settled and organized. 275 miles to go! All is well, though it's been awhile since we stood night watches... Also new was sailing in the company of several other boats, all within a few miles of us. Then kfully everyone is using AIS transponders.