Going Home! (April 2014)

Vessel Name: Nirvana
Vessel Make/Model: 37' Irwin Ketch
Hailing Port: St. John US VI
Crew: Marc and Eric
Social:
29 September 2013 | Near Redland City Marina, Australia
06 September 2013 | Brisbane Australia
05 September 2013 | 103 miles ENE of Brisbane
04 September 2013 | 236 miles ENE of Brisbane
03 September 2013 | 353 miles ENE of Brisbane
02 September 2013 | 474 miles ENE of Brisbane
01 September 2013 | 601 miles NE of Brisbane
31 August 2013 | New Caledonia
30 August 2013 | 8 Miles from pass into New Caledonia
29 August 2013 | 128 Miles NNE of New Caledonia
28 August 2013 | 250 miles NNE of New Caledonia
27 August 2013 | Luganville, Vanuatu
24 August 2013 | Luganville, Vanuatu
22 August 2013 | Ambrym Island, Vanuatu
19 August 2013 | Port Vila,Vanuatu
16 August 2013 | Tanna, Vanuata
15 August 2013 | Waisisi Bay, Tanna, Vanuatu
15 August 2013 | 83 miles ENE of Tanna Vanuatu
14 August 2013 | 223 miles ENE of Tanna
13 August 2013 | 376 miles ENE of Tanna Vanuatu
Recent Blog Posts
29 September 2013 | Near Redland City Marina, Australia

Last night on Nirvana at anchor

We left the mooring in Brisbane this morning about 10am. We had a very good last night in Brisbane as there was a huge festival called Riverfire. Brisbane set up barges full of fireworks all along the river in the city. At 7pm they had the most spectacular fireworks I have ever seen. All around us [...]

06 September 2013 | Brisbane Australia

Arrived in Brisbane

We arrived yesterday morning in Brisbane after sailing 1163 miles from Vanuatu. The last day was very pleasant as the wind slowly backed off and turned more east as we approached Brisbane. We caught two big mahi, 50 pounds and 35 pounds just at sunset so we will have fish for some time here. The weather [...]

05 September 2013 | 103 miles ENE of Brisbane

Day 5 to Australia

We sailed 134 miles yesterday with an average speed of 5.58 knots. Wind was still up yesterday gusty 20-30 knots and we still have the third reef in the main adjusting the genoa according to conditions. Seas calmed a little don to 8-10 feet and not quite so angry. Winds are about 20 knots this morning [...]

04 September 2013 | 236 miles ENE of Brisbane

Day 4 to Australia

We sailed 118 miles yesterday with an average speed of 4.92 knots. As predicted, conditions have been very poor with 25-30 knots of wind, higher gust around squalls, and 12 foot seas. Not the worst conditions we have been in but close. The beam reach makes these conditions very wet and uncomfortable. [...]

03 September 2013 | 353 miles ENE of Brisbane

Day 3 to Australia

We sailed 129 miles in the last 22 hours with an average speed of 5.86 knots. I am writing this update a couple of hours early as I am up and the weather has calmed some for the moment. The heavy weather arrived yesterday about 5pm with winds up to 30 knots. It is still dark but I would guess seas [...]

02 September 2013 | 474 miles ENE of Brisbane

Day 2 to Australia, calm before the storm

We sailed 141 miles yesterday averaging 5.88 knots. Wind started to die off last night as predicted and turn south so Eric started the motor last night. We are motoring now in about 5 knots of wind out of the south in calm seas. We have continued on our course of about 200 degrees and have a 230 degree [...]

Day 1 New Caledonia to Australia

01 September 2013 | 601 miles NE of Brisbane
Marc
We left yesterday at 1pm from New Caledonia after cleaning the hull and boat. It was nice to get a good nights sleep and leave rested for the passage ahead of us. We sailed 110 miles in the last 18 hours with an average speed of 6.11 knots. Winds were much stronger than the predicted 16 knots when we left. Coastal acceleration along the 200 mile coast of New Caledonia produce winds in excess of 25 knots up until about midnight last night. Seas were steep and breaking 8-10 feet making a very tough beat. We have been able to stay 15 degrees or so south of our 222 degree rhumb line as it will get worse before it gets better as winds are predicted to pick up to 22-23 knots. Usually when the grib files show 22-23 knots it is more like 30 so we need to get south to have a better reach as winds are predicted to be 145-150 degrees at that time. Presently we have 15 knots of wind at about 130 degrees and we are making a little better than 6 knots at 205 degrees made good. The weather is COLD, around 68 degrees and it is full foul weather gear with sweat shirts, pant and boot to try and stay warm. Wasn't easy last night with 5 gallon buckets of water being thrown on me. Living the dream baby! I knew this passage was not going to be easy but it has to be done. We still have a fall off at Bundaburg which is now 13 degrees north of the rhumb line for Brisbane. It should continue to get more and more due west of us as we go farther south. Hopefully we will not have to go there but it is always an option. We did not fish yesterday as it was too rough. Aaron somehow managed a delicious meal of mahi, rice and carrots in the rice cooker. No way we could use the stove last night. All for now, will post another update tomorrow.

--
Comments

About & Links

SailBlogs Groups
SailBlogs Friends
Gitanos
hlamff sailmaker - China