A Day of Motoring
26 February 2018 | Pacific Ocean on route to Hawaii
Helen/Mark
Saw a few freighters thru the night that came within 3 miles of our location, including the one where the wind died. The ship was intending to cross behind us but because wind died and the speed was reduced and the wind shifted back winding the Jib and blew our boat across his path. Mark was on helm, thankfully. He started the engine and got us back on the rhumb line. The wind continued to be on the nose so we have been motoring all day. Every time we put out the jib, it eventually flapped and we had to take it in. This happened at least a dozen or more times. We both have been getting our exercise. The seas settled so not a lot of bumping and groaning and banging was heard. There was a beautiful moon after midnight which lit the night sky right in front of us. It was like having headlights. I was sorry to see the moon set because the night was very dark. Lots of stars in the sky out here. We took turns on the helm and sleeping. It was not as cold out but sleeping in our cabin was cool and required two blankets. Mark second sleep came after breakfast. However, he didn't sleep too long. I went into cleaning boat mode. I was able to clean the salon and then headed outside. I cleaned the salt water spray off the windows. Then attempted to clean the marks left from the squid and flying fish. Not sure what the mark is but it won't come clean. Mark was surprised that I was out on deck without my life jacket, just in case I fell off the boat. If he is sleeping and I fell off, he would never hear me or find me. Not a good thought. I was being careful and had no plans to go for a swim. Mark cleaned the water off the solar panels. Then he changed the salt water filter on the water maker. He added a line thru the old filter and dragged it thru the water behind us. That is supposed to clean it. Ran the water maker for four hours as our water tank was reading just over 1/4 tank. We let it get down while at the marina as the water there was not safe to drink, also the boat washing and showering takes its toll. Listening to some Harry Chapin and Eric Clapton music as we really don't seem to have any SSB channels other than the religious ones with music or radio programs, or we just cannot pick them up out here. Please send us a satellite message with some news. The sad part about today is that the wind stayed constant on the nose. We were expecting winds from the north or north west but the wind direction is from the west. We haven't traveled far enough to pick up the trades. Our gps says 2487 miles to go. No sightings of birds or dolphins. Mark said he saw a few flying fish, but thankfully, not on our deck. It was a very cloudy day but the sun filtered thru. That made the day much more pleasant from the cold breezes we have been experiencing since we left Mexico. We are motoring so our solar panels don't need to work as hard. Batteries are topped up.