Nuka Hiva: One Step Closer to Mexico!
01 September 2013 | The Deep Blue Sea
Gene and Gloria
Nuka Hiva: One Step Closer to Mexico We departed Apataki Atoll Fri Aug. 30 at noon in sunny weather with light winds from the SE. Until today, day 3, we have been able to go NE, E of the Rhumb line from Apataki to Nuka Hiva and on day 3, we are about 70 miles E of the Rhumb line. With prevailing easterlies we felt it important to get as much easting done as possible early on. We have been able to use our Monitor Wind Vane to steer about one of the days; it likes close hauled in 12+ knot winds. Currently we are using Tillie, our tiller pilot, mounted to the steering wheel as Millie, our Raymarine autopilot, quit working this morning. We passed through a weather front this morning and the winds went from SE 14 to NE 4 and are now motoring NE in confused choppy seas. The morning weather grib files show we will now have light NE winds for the next 2-3 days. This is confirmed by the Nadi fleet code, a weatherfax summary for the Pacific islands. It looks like motoring the rest of the way, about 200 miles. Our choice would be to take the sails down and sit out here the two to three days and see what comes, not appealing to us. We would tack, but Pincoya requires 12 knots+ to sail and less than 5 is what we have right now. We did catch a mahi mahi which made a delicious dinner on Fri, and sashimi lunch yesterday (and today). It is always an adventure to fillet and prepare a fish on the floor of the cockpit in rolly seas. Our first 2 days were primarily fine weather but squally conditions started yesterday and are continuing today. At least some of the salt has been rinsed off Pincoya. We are fortunate to have had such an easy start to this 540 mile trip, which puts us that much closer to Mexico. It is sort of an advance preparation experience as this will be the direction of sailing for the first part of our trip to Mexico. More repairs to do in Nuka Hiva. I had to work on the Dutchman reefing as the shackle to the tailing lift let go and had to be replaced. More fun repairs on a rolly boat at sea at daybreak, 5 am! We're happy to report all is well with us and so far no water leaks coming in the boat!