11/04/2009, Off shore, Passage from Tongatapu to Opua, New Zealand
Still no wind. We are sliding along at 3.5 to 4.0 knots using the engine on very low rpms. The Monitor wind vane steering doesn't work if there is no wind, and with the electronic autopilot broken, we are having to spend a lot of time hand steering. It's actually not a problem in this very calm water. It does keep one of us at the wheel at all times though. We are making progress. We have about 490 miles to go. This still beats getting caught in a low. We are also slowly getting used to the cooler temperatures. It is now 72=B0 inside. The nights are chilly, but the sun is still nice and warm.
| 2009 South Pacific Adventure |
|
Comments [0]
11/03/2009, Off shore, Passage from Tongatapu to Opua, New Zealand
All is well on this fine Wednesday morning. We have about 580 miles left. This puts us roughly at the half way point. We did the reduce sail drill last night for a dark cloud ahead....ended up being nothing to get in a hurry over. I hated reducing sail when we finally had a bit of wind, but it only lasted for a half hour or so.. We never know what these squalls can bring. Last night, it didn't bring much wind, but we have seen times when we have gone from 0 to 35 in less than a minute so I always take the coward's approach and reduce when I see a potential squall in our path. The full moon sure has brightened our nights.. I love the nights off shore with clear skies. It is just something one doesn't see too much on shore because of all the lights and obstructions to a 360 view.
| 2009 South Pacific Adventure |
|
11/02/2009, Off shore, Passage from Tongatapu to Opua, New Zealand
Last night, no wind, so we just slid along in the 3 knot range under power, which we are keeping low to conserve fuel. We are in the middle of a high, and will get these light winds for the next couple of days. Trying to get through them and still have fuel is the challenge because after the calm, lurks the low. All is well on board and hopefully we will get enough wind to move us along. We have 690 miles to go.
| 2009 South Pacific Adventure |
|
11/01/2009, Off shore, Passage from Tongatapu to Opua, New Zealand
All is well on board. We continue to be plagued by light SSW wind and are as close hauled as we can get. the engine does help keep the boa steady in the troughs. Eventually the wind is supposed to switch to SE. That will sure help us out. Other than that the weather is nice, but getting chilly. We should be crossing the geographical dateline today.
| 2009 South Pacific Adventure |
|
