Position and Weather Report

Position: Lat: 34deg 11.0" N Long: 150deg 23.5"W Predicted 24h position: Lat: 35deg 51.5"N Long: 148 deg 09.2"W COG: 043deg SOG: 6.0kts Baro: 30.06 24h range: 30.06-30.12 Wind: NNW 15kts 24h range: 07-23kts from N to NW Waves NNW 2 M building Sails up: Jib reefed 33% Present gph 1.8 Paravanes out Clouds:80% Cumulus Summary: Lee, Spot on, on your predictions. We have 15-20 kts off our port quarter. Sails are up as apparent wind is near 40 deg and they are giving us a small lift and stabilizing roll. Not as bad as earlier trip but we liked yesterday better! Still making near 6 kts. All on board happy.

24h summary: Today only 26 hours total Fuel used:59g Gal/hr 2.27 Fuel at destination: 1192 Distance made good: 161nm Ave. Speed: 6.19 kts MPG: 2.73 Fuel remaining: 1727 Max range: 4715nm Range to Destination: 1461nm Reserve Range: 3254

Well our perfect weather has finally taken a break and we have, as Lee predicted, 15-20 knot NNW winds and 2 meter seas quartering on our bow. Anything which was not properly stowed had declared itself on the floor. We discussed altering course, deploying paravanes, or raising sails, and we have decided to try sails which have given us a much nicer ride and no reduction in speed with improved fuel economy. Same speed, less fuel and more comfortable. Works for us. We are transferring fuel from starboard mid to port mid tank for trim as we are on a Starboard tack with approx. 10 degrees heel.

We are taking a break from fishing as our freezer is pretty well stocked with Mahi Mahi. I think we caught 6 yesterday, keeping 3. Crew needed a break from fish meals so we had red beans with rice, cooked with smoked sausage and a ham hock. Comfort food out here. Unpreserved bread is starting to mold and vegetables in the fridge are reaching their toss overboard status. Fortunately we have a bunch of frozen green veges and Orowheat bread. I do want to mention that I left an opened loaf of Orowheat whole wheat bread on board over the break. (sounds kind of healthy right?) In the 6 intervening weeks, not only was there no mold but it was soft and supple. Makes you wonder! Competing with Twinkies for shelf life.

Wade presented me a box of multiple perfect Shearwater signature "Howgoesit" work books complete with spiral bindings and a cover featuring a line drawing of Shearwater. That data is what is included at the end of the weather and position report in a format we used on the Majuro-Hawaii leg when we were nervous about fuel status. He initiated me into being the data collector which explains why the period above is 26h as he let me sleep until 1800 utc, 2 hours later than the beginning of his shift when he has previously calculated the data. We do this exercise daily. As you can see, the values change dramatically depending on sea conditions and engine load and fuel burn but over the course of the trip everything will equalize and become more and more a reflection of the true picture. The format is similar to what he used when piloting 747's across the Pacific and insuring that he had enough fuel to get there. I can't see the blog from here, but the data are entered in table form but I think the blog may jumble them together. You get the picture though.

All is good on board as we have fallen into the routine of cruising. John reflects that a positive change happens at 3 days and then again at about a week out when one gets sea legs and then a mind set of enjoying the pace of life offshore. The boat is big enough that everyone can find space and yet we all enjoy the times when we are all awake and sharing stories or brainstorming on the issue of the day. Within a few days of the half way mark.