Position 08 33.35S 122 57.54W

Passage To Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands Day 17

We left Puerto Ayora Galapagos Island heading for Hiva Oa in the Marquesas Islands at 08.00 am local time UTC (GMT) - 6 hours on Sunday the 18 Mach 2012.

Day 17 Distance to go, 954 miles Log reading now at noon 13917 Distance travelled noon to noon over the ground was 111 miles, through the water 121 miles.

Noon to Noon report on the 3rd April 12

Well we had a very interesting 8 hours during the evening / early hours of these last 24 hours. When we sail, sometimes we use the autopilot to steer directly down the rhumb line, this being the shorts route to our destination or waypoint.

This can only be done if the wind angle is constant. As often happens, the wind direction (angle) is changing all the time, especially near these line squalls. So on occasions like this, we use the autopilot function which allows us to sail the boat to a set angle to the wind. This we were doing last night.

Our rhumb line course is 253 degrees magnetic to Hiva Oa. As we could see the line squall approaching, we switched to wind steering mode and set the wind angle at 140 degrees to port, this initially kept us on our 253 course. However, as the squall came through, the direction changed from a course of 253, and ended up at 168 degrees. So we had a wind shift of 85 degrees. As you can see the wind shift can be dramatic and a major problem if you are not ready for it.

We had to change tack on to starboard to start heading in the general direction we needed to go. We changed tack at least a further three times during this storm, oh the joys of sailing. The sea state is now moderate to rough with a swell running of about 3.00 m. Wildlife report

Flying fish and some sea birds, but not much else. Shipping report

We had a cargo vessel cross our bows last evening during the line squall as described above. He must have wondered what we were doing changing course so often.

Fishing report

I have had another day off fishing, due to the weather, so STILL No fish yet!!!

Fleet Positions

Karacool set off with us, and her position is 78 miles ahead of us.

Camelot set off on Tuesday and is now 405 miles behind us.

Marita 3 set off on Tuesday and is now ? miles behind us. ( no position report)

Next report on the 4th April.