Aquavit: Pac Cup 2016
| Vessel Name: | Aquavit |
| Vessel Make/Model: | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42iP |
| Hailing Port: | San Francisco |
| Crew: | Michael, Bill, Joe, Patrick and Karl |
| Extra: | 8/3/16 - On a quest from Kaneohe, Hawaii back to San Francisco with new Crew: Michael, Bill, Joe, Patrick and Karl 7/11/16 - On a quest to Kaneohe, Oaho, Hawaii with Crew: Michael, Mike, Bill, Paulo, Magnus and George |
20 August 2016
Getting from there to here
As much as we would like to take all the credit for our long voyage across the Pacific, we have had a steady and reliable aid guiding us along. That aid is the multitude of instruments we have to tell us things like: where are we? Are we going in the right direction? How fast are we going? Is [...]
19 August 2016
Sea Creatures
For the most part, the life in the deep ocean is under the water and not seen, but there have been some remarkable sightings on this trip. Here's a taste of what we have encountered.
18 August 2016
SF approach, full moon and meteor
This is an interesting part of the return trip. We had the hard sailing north from Hawaii into the prevailing swell. We had the sinister high pressure that was following us everywhere we went in the middle of the trip. Now, finally we are on track towards SF. It's a good feeling to be making [...]
18 August 2016
Heavy Weather Sailing
It's almost a relief hitting the heavy weather portion of our trip. We were worrying about the gale for so long, and the large seas and high winds that it would bring where we were further south, that when it finally hits we know what to expect. As our last correspondence with the weather guys states: "There [...]
15 August 2016
Whales and Weather
Saw a pod of killer whales yesterday, passed all around us, and one followed us for a few minutes. This is their place and they are curious about us. I've seen lots of killer whales in the San Juans, but new and exciting to several others.
14 August 2016
Weather
Seems like we've been plagued by the adverse weather this trip. On the way to Hawaii we encountered large, confused, seas and then Hurricane Darby. The last leg of the trip to Kanehoe was rushing like madmen to avoid been trapped at sea for days while the storm system passed. (We arrived at 4pm. Boats [...]
7 nights 6 days
Woke up this morning for my 8am shift and conditions unchanged from night before. Hawaii is 22 degrees latitude and SF is 38 degrees. We passed 35 degrees a few minutes ago so soon (day or so) we'll start a more eastwardly course. Let's hope we get the favorable wind shift promised. Often one needs to motor for a day or so to reach the NW winds that will take us to California. I've promised to stop the boat and allowing some swimming breaks if we are becalmed. After we reach the NW winds it should be smooth sailing until one get close to the coast. We need to approach with strategic timing to avoid any gales that may arise. Our "weather guy" will help with that.
The ocean is a vast wilderness...lots of life below the surface, though we haven't caught any more fish, but nothing on the surface. It's water and clouds. No ships for days on end. In our own floating world of shifts and chores, music and food.
One downside of moving north is that it is colder now. Last night it was full foulies (heavy weather gear) and seaboots. (Pat calls this full business attire. Remember that he is the only one of us that says his natural element is at sea). Tonight will be long johns and ski socks and a sweater underneath the foulies.
Food is still good, and we have enough ice for cold beers again this afternoon. After that...deprivation.
Spirits are high, all enjoying the trip, but also marking the days until we reach shore. Still a long, long way to go.
Take care and fair winds,
Michael
On behalf of the Aquavit return crew
