04/25/2011, Out on the ocean
Oh what a 24 hours it has been. Kept blowing through the afternoon. Started with some sprinkles about 2230 and really cut loose about 0200. We took down the mainsail(sure can get wet out there) and started the engine as the wind had died to just about 0. Headed off farther south on a course of 180T. We're currently at Lat 05 37.175N 129 53 622W as of 1300PDT. We covered 116 miles in the last 24 hours. The engine is still running and we slowly move southward into the ITCZ with all the fun it provides. At least our decks are nice and clean. More squalls appear to be coming as there is no blue sky out there at all. Meanwhile, we sit in the cockpit in our foul weather gear getting ready for it. I sprayed water proofing on the dodger before we set off and I'm glad we did. It didn't seal up everything but it has made the cockpit more livable. We zipped on the side panels each night so no matter where the wind comes from, we are a bit more secure. I hate running the engine but some times you got to do what you got to do. It at least allows us to run with the swells so we make some miles during the day. Zephyr has big tanks so there is no problem running it when we need to. With luck, the winds will come back later and we can hoist the sail again.
Tracy's two cents: I never knew that rain, Biblical rain, can find it's way into everything! The cockpit is drier than outside, but it feels like you're in a leaky tent during a rain storm. The seas get confused and the sailing got harder and harder last night, so I woke Bill up and had him help me get the main down. I also saw that the first reef line had been chewed through with chafe and the main was billowing in the swell and what wind we had, so down it had to come NOW. Life is anything but boring out here, something happening all the time, sometimes, something beautiful, sometimes something getting broken..So on we go...
I've given up on cooking anything resembling a real meal. Last night I heated up so Zatarain's Dirty Rice and made a Waldorf salad. Bill ate the rice, I ate the salad. Today, I woke up at 11:15 a.m. and had a craving for quesadillas, so out comes a pack of tortillas and a block of monterey jack with jalapeno and voila, a one pan meal. It felt good in the stomach with so much rain.
It isn't a cold rain, I'm sure the air temp of 84 degrees is the same as the rain, but after getting wet with all the leaks in the bimini cover, it felt cooler. The water temp is 80.6. Too bad we can't swim in it, huh?
I'm really looking forward to being able to make a proper meal without needing four extra hands to hold everything into place. Yesterday, a half tomato I set down slide back and forth over the refrigerator leaving seeds and juice in it's wake. UGH...Gone are the niceties of plates, if I can get it into the cockpit wrapped in a paper towel, so much the better!
I'm starting to feel like the kid in the backseat of a car on a trip, "Are we there yet?" Then I realize that we have 10 more days.
Flying fish suicide rate: 6 Squid suicide rate: 2
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04/24/2011, Out on the ocean
More of the same out here. Getting knocked around all the time with the winds from the Northeast and the swells from the North. We had winds up to 34 knots during the night and they are keeping steady in the high teens to low 20's ever since. We still have up jut a reefed main and our forestaysail and still are making great time having done 143 miles in the last 24 hours. That puts us up to 1866 miles total. We're on a course of about 260 and should hit the 06N 130W coordinates that our weather router wants us to get to before we head south about sundown today. So we'll change course and make for the equator. Not sure how many more days till we get there. Maybe three more. Guess we will find out when we gybe. We're currently at 06 57.14N 129 18.58W doing anywhere from 5.5 to 7+ depending on the swells that pass under us. Some are so high that when we are in the valley between them, all you see is a wall of water. Then Zephyr rides up the side of the swell and we are on top of a mountain of water. At least for a few seconds. This goes on all day and all night. Weather continues to be decent. The boats that went faster than us have run into far more squalls than we have. So far, only one big one and one small one so that's not too bad. I guess we will be getting more the closer we get to the equator. Snowshoe has wedged himself in behind our nav computer and the SSB radio so he's at a better angle when the swells roll through. Blue is up in her throne. She came outside last night and promptly went under a tarp that Tracy had bungied to the stern deck. We'd opened the hatch on the stern to try and get some fresh air into the stern berth so sleeping would be better. Well. Blue saw the hatch was open and just jumped on the screen and went right on going straight into the cabin. We've closed off the stern cabin to the kids just incase they get mad at us and start leaving us little presents in the berth. With so may miles to go, we don't want to have a berth that is unsleepable due to an unpleasant aroma if you get the jist of my words.
Most of the boats that left with us have already crossed the equator but that's alright. We will get there in our own time. No real reason to rush as long as we keep doing what we are doing and stay safe while we are doing it.
Tracy's two cents: One day blends into the next, not much going on different. Last night I heard a "BANG", I knew exactly what it was...the replacement block on the boom vang exploded again. It was a lighter block than the first one, so I knew it was only a matter of time before it went too. So, on the deck it stayed until this morning. We took the block totally out of the equation and attached the Spectra line that Brion Toss and Gordon, the riggers, put on. Shortened the line and reattached all, we see if this holds together, I hope so, not sure what else to do at this point. Going without isn't a viable option, the vang is what holds the boom down on a downwind run like we've been on for weeks now.
Bill made water earlier, we we have more than enough.
Lunch was a really simple affair, a tortilla with a slice of deli ham, cut up cheddar cheese, a small slice of tomato (our last one), chopped up cabbage with oregano, salt, pepper and a stripe of mayonnaise. I say a stripe because the Mexican mayo comes in pouches with a nozzle to squeeze the product out, really handy all in all and it takes up lots less space in the refrigerator. I think for dinner we will be having Waldorf salad and use up a couple of the apples we have in the bilge storage. That won't be too difficult to put together whilst being tossed back and forth.
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04/23/2011, Out on the ocean
We've just completed our first two weeks at sea having covered 1723 nautical miles out of the approximately 3000 to get us to the Marquesas. Our weather router has us going just about due west till we hit a longitude of 130W before we start heading South to the equator. It's about 36 hours before we get to that point. We're currently at 07 22.667N 127 00.636W on a course of 250 T making about 5 to 6 knots depending on what face of the swells we are on. We made 135 nautical miles in the last 24 hours so we are just zipping right along. Still making(on average) 5.1 knots per hour so I can't complain. According to our chart plotter, we have been moving 337 hours 55 minutes since we left La Cruz with probably a good 10 to 12 days left before we get to the islands. Not bad for such a heavy boat with one on it's primary sails not being able to be used. I'm still waiting for the calm seas the weather man promised me so I can get up the mast safely. Each day it gets warmer and we won't even discuss the humidity. Tracy has a nice bit of sunburn since she started wearing sleeveless shirts. A nice bit of burn that will take a while to heal.
To continue my post from yesterday, another important piece of equipment we have on board is our DuoGen. This makes our electricity to keep all of Zephyr's systems up and running. I've commented before on it with not the most glowing reports when used as a wind generator. As a drag behind the boat electric power generator, it's amazing. It's kept all our house batteries full so that we never lack for power to run what we need to run. Now we don't have the expensive systems like many boats but we do have a refrigerator/freezer that requires a bit of power to run as well as our chart plotters and computers that we need. Plus, we need a good bit of power for transmitting on our SSB radio several times a day. Add in running lights as well as other necessities and the DuoGen does the job. Google it to see more about it. Wind, not so good. Drag in the water--very good.
Tracy's two cents: We have been on the same tack for a day and a half and I'm so ready to be on a more gentle one. The waves are from the NE, but the swell is from the North. We ride up and over most, but every couple of minutes we get a side rocking that is most uncomfortable. I haven't gotten any real sleep for over twenty four hours.
The clouds have left us and the sunny blue skies are a beautiful contrast to the dark blue ocean and frothy white tops on some of the waves. It is really wonderful despite the wave action. I was looking out over the water and saw a whale, small one about three wave sets over. He or she just kept on going, then about a half hour later what I thought were dolphins riding the front of a wave came to within 50' of the boat. They weren't dolphins, but pilot whales. Three of the gliding down the faces of the waves, I got a picture, but we'll see what it looks like when it gets uploaded into the computer. I was beginning to think flying fish and squid were the only living things out here.
Flying fish :3 Squid:2, one we have to pick off our mainsail, ugh.
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04/23/2011, Out on the ocean
We've just completed our first two weeks at sea having covered 1723 nautical miles out of the approximately 3000 to get us to the Marquesas. Our weather router has us going just about due west till we hit a longitude of 130W before we start heading South to the equator. It's about 36 hours before we get to that point. We're currently at 07 22.667N 127 00.636W on a course of 250 T making about 5 to 6 knots depending on what face of the swells we are on. We made 135 nautical miles in the last 24 hours so we are just zipping right along. Still making(on average) 5.1 knots per hour so I can't complain. According to our chart plotter, we have been moving 337 hours 55 minutes since we left La Cruz with probably a good 10 to 12 days left before we get to the islands. Not bad for such a heavy boat with one on it's primary sails not being able to be used. I'm still waiting for the calm seas the weather man promised me so I can get up the mast safely. Each day it gets warmer and we won't even discuss the humidity. Tracy has a nice bit of sunburn since she started wearing sleeveless shirts. A nice bit of burn that will take a while to heal.
To continue my post from yesterday, another important piece of equipment we have on board is our DuoGen. This makes our electricity to keep all of Zephyr's systems up and running. I've commented before on it with not the most glowing reports when used as a wind generator. As a drag behind the boat electric power generator, it's amazing. It's kept all our house batteries full so that we never lack for power to run what we need to run. Now we don't have the expensive systems like many boats but we do have a refrigerator/freezer that requires a bit of power to run as well as our chart plotters and computers that we need. Plus, we need a good bit of power for transmitting on our SSB radio several times a day. Add in running lights as well as other necessities and the DuoGen does the job. Google it to see more about it. Wind, not so good. Drag in the water--very good.
Tracy's two cents: We have been on the same tack for a day and a half and I'm so ready to be on a more gentle one. The waves are from the NE, but the swell is from the North. We ride up and over most, but every couple of minutes we get a side rocking that is most uncomfortable. I haven't gotten any real sleep for over twenty four hours.
The clouds have left us and the sunny blue skies are a beautiful contrast to the dark blue ocean and frothy white tops on some of the waves. It is really wonderful despite the wave action. I was looking out over the water and saw a whale, small one about three wave sets over. He or she just kept on going, then about a half hour later what I thought were dolphins riding the front of a wave came to within 50' of the boat. They weren't dolphins, but pilot whales. Three of the gliding down the faces of the waves, I got a picture, but we'll see what it looks like when it gets uploaded into the computer. I was beginning to think flying fish and squid were the only living things out here.
Flying fish :3 Squid:2, one we have to pick off our mainsail, ugh.
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04/22/2011, Out on the ocean
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!
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04/21/2011, Out on the ocean
We had winds through the night up to 37 knots and luckily we had taken two reefs in the mainsail. With that and the small forestaysail, we still managed to do 134 miles(total 1464) so we were cooking through the darkness. At dawn, the squalls hit and we were nicely cleaned by Mother Nature with LOTS of nice fresh water to get off all the salt residue that had been building p over the last two weeks. We spent most of the night heading South with the winds coming from the Northeast so a rolly down wind sail again as the swells were from the North. We're now at 09 13.747N 123 57.745W with the motor on as the winds have just about died and those that are left have no clue as to where they are coming from. Toss in the residual swell from last nights big winds and you have a mess out here. As much as I don't like doing it, we fired up the engine and took off for another of the waypoints furnished by our weather router. He wants us at 08N 126W to plan for our crossing the equator. The way the winds and swells have been, we have been doing a reverse "Z" course. Many hours heading a mostly westerly course and then a turn to the left and almost straight South for another mess of miles. Then right and west again. We've been doing this for the last several days and it's the only safe way to make headway Southwest to where we need to go. So, all the sails are down and we just do what we have to do. Not much more to say. It's just another day our here. Keeping alert to the winds and swells and trying to get where we have to go.
Tracy's two cents: It is really uncomfortable right now, rolling from gunwale to gunwale, I'm shocked the cat's aren't frothing at the mouth. I'm surprised I'm not frothing at the mouth! The wind gauge is just going around in circles as we pitch and roll. Before all this started, I took time and sort of defrosted the freezer and rearranged the meats, then I went through the refrigerator and took out all the old that needed to be pitched. We had a very simple lunch today, smoked gouda and crackers for me and leftover chicken curry salad on tostitos for Bill.
I just watched Snowshoe judge the pitch and roll of the boat then hike himself up the cat tree to the barrel portion where he lays down and hangs his head out the end of the barrel. He looks like a dead cat stuffed into a tube. So on and on we roll from side to side. I think I'll go back outside where there is fresh air. Cabin temp is 87.2, humidity is 70% water temp is 81.
Two flying fish last night and two squid...haven't had those for a while.
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