1484 nm to Hawaii Fountain of youth.
17 June 2013 | 12 8.6'N:177 50.0'E, NE of Majuro
David C
Present position: 12deg 08.6' N 177deg 50.0'' E COG: 065deg SOG: 4.5 kts Estimated position 24hours:12deg 53.6' 179deg27.4 ' Baro:29.74 last 24hr range: 29.62-29.74 Wind: ENE 17-19 kts, 24 h range 15-27 kts last 6 hours less than 20 Seas:3-4 more regular Clouds 60% Cumulus Summary: Improved SOG on last 3 watches 1484 nm to Hawaii Fuel management looking adequate
New Shearwater record for flying fish aboard. Noted scales all over cockpit cushions with one fish in the corner. Made the rounds and discovered 42 flying fish on board with a scaley mess on deck! If there is not a predator lurking under the boat feasting on the morning cleanup it is an opportunity missed! If we didn't have enough provisions to feed a small football team, we could survive on these critters, roasted and crunchy. As I mentioned previously, with higher seas, they launch at eye level. Goggles for eye protection would be a good idea for evening deck excursions, or quick reflexes and a butterfly net.
Sorry for constant reference to sea states but it is our life for the time being. This morning we had bigger more regular swells and we made 5.5 kts. Yestday waves were only bungalo size but irregularly iregular and we were lucky to get over 4 kts. Spoke to Pete and Ginger who circumnavigated on SV Marcy and they has a story about sailing near Cape of Good Hope in apartment sized waves, 40 feet and more. Their boat was perfectly happy sailing up and down while huge commercial ships were stopped in their tracks by the wave period relative to their length! So far on this trip, wind speed 10-15kts is great, 15-20 kts good, 20-25 kts getting frustrating, and 25-30kts decidedly crappy. We've thankfully not had sustained winds over 30 kts but reason has it that it wouldn't be comfortable.
Big news here is our upcoming fountain of youth. International dateline is at 180 degrees longitude. As we pass, we will be 24 hours in the past. Shades of groundhog day. Dave N is speaking of Einsteinian red shift and relativity. I'm wondering about a package deal with the scruffing salts guaranteed to make you a day younger. Festivities are being planned and we can all make resolutions to make Weds a better day than the Weds we just experienced. Pretty crazy!