Day 13. Suggestions and things that work.
22 April 2011 | Out on the ocean
Bill Hudson
Another day has passed and with it, more water and ground. We made 124 miles over the last 24 hours and we've come 1588. We're at least past the half way point(we think)after 13 days at sea. We may have as many as 14 more days depending on what we run into farther South. The winds have stayed the same--about 12 knots out of the Northeast and the swells are at 5 to 7 feet with an occasional BIG one(up to about 12 feet) coming through. Zephyr rides right up and down the other side as they pass. We on the other hand get tossed about like drunken sailors. We learned long ago to hang on to everything and anything. Ever try to get dressed one handed. The first few times it is a bit of a challenge. So as of now, we're at 07 44.059N 124 51.969W headed for about 08 North and 126 West. That's where we will try and head as far South as possible to get through the ITCZ(InterTropical Convergence Zone).
As Tracy and I sat in the cockpit discussing what we found important for our trip, a list began to form. Here's the MOST important of the things we have on board the we BOTH feel are important. Number one===Our Hydrovane self steering system. It attaches to the stern of the boat and has a rudder on the bottom. The top section has a cloth covered(keep a spare cloth) that you angle into the winds as your boat moves forward. If the wind is too strong over one side, it pushes the vane to the side activating the gears on the rudder to shift the boat back on course. Not really sure exactly how it works(lots of expensive parts in there) but it does. Once set, it requires a minimal amount of care. A glance or two every now and again to make sure it keeps you on course. It doesn't eat, sleep, or drink. It does it's job and our has been wonderful. There are several different types and manufacturer around--Monitor, Sayes, Aires to name just a few. Now lots of boats only carry electronic ones but even if you have spares, they all depend on your electrical system and your ability to make the power to run them. If your generator fails or your engine doesn't like to start(to keep your batteries charged) you could be in a bit of a pickle. If(God forbid) your boat gets hit by lightening, all your electronics will be fried. With our Hydrovane, he just keeps on working. We call him "James"because he always takes us where we want to go--"home James". We can't imagine hand steering for the three weeks plus it takes to get to the Marquesas.
I'll post more over the next few days until you have a better idea of what we use out here and what doesn't work out here.
Tracy's two cents:
The clouds are thickening up again and it will probably rain sideways again, hey the windows in the dodger need to be washed again, they were so sparklely clean for a whole day! The lumps and bumps in the boats motion made doing dishes an unbelievable chore today, nothing would stay put, I have to figure out a new way to make the microwave stay put, right now we have velcro on tabs attached to the counter, but the motion is too much for it and the whole thing goes flying. Right now, I shoved the handle of a putty knife under it to wedge it, and so far so good.
Yesterday, I got really sunburned. I don't even remember the sun shining, but there you go. My back and neck are seared. Lying in bed hurt, the heat of the cabin felt throbby hot, so I finally resorted to a trick I did while at Lake Powell during late summer. I laid a wet washrag that had been wrung out over my burnt skin then I spritzed myself with water and went to bed with a fan straight on my shoulder and neck. With occasional respritzes of water, all was well. Today, it's tolerable.
Oh, we are having more and more difficulty getting through with Sailmail to post this blog and emails in and out, so if there is a day or two or three you don't hear anything, don't freak out, it's just because we can't connect with Sailmail.
Squid count yesterday: 2 Flying fish: 1 Only one boat of the 10 that left Puerto Vallarta the same time we did has caught any fish, and it wasn't us!