Pacific NW

Expeditions

LAND HO! This evening at sunset, the mountains of Hiva Oa came into view on the horizon, 40 NM distant. It is unbelievable to see land after being so used to an empty horizon! Unreal.

We have slowed the boat down to 3.5 knots in order to make landfall in the morning ( we could have reached the harbor tonight at 2200 local). We are in great anticipation! Hove-to this afternoon and the ladies went for a swim around the boat, 14,000 feet deep! Topped up our water tanks and cleaned the boat for landfall. The gendarme will be closed tomorrow (Sunday) so we will be quarantined in the harbor for 24 hours at anchor, before we can head to shore. I’d normally say this would give us time to recover from the passage, but we are in top shape, well-rested, with full tanks!

Distance covered thus far is comparable to traveling from Minneapolis to Ireland, Minneapolis to Northern Siberia, or Minneapolis to Peru! All 100% under wind and solar power alone, and with a total of about 15 minutes touching the tiller. We are enjoying our last evening on the high seas, and a bit sad this this incredible leg of the voyage is coming to
a close.

0223 Zulu
9 22′ 31″ S
138 14′ 56″ W
SOG 3.4 kts

We are quickly closing the gap to the Marquesas! It is unbelievable as of yet–we have sailed a long way. Bird life is picking up within 200 miles of the islands. We are readying the ship for landfall and she is at her best! Privateer continues to sail onward at great speed, making 153 miles yesterday. Smooth seas and steady breezes should carry us all the rest of the way. Remarkable–we haven’t touched the helm since leaving San Francisco, and have full water and fuel tanks and even our spare jerry cans! Turned the clocks to local Marquesas Island time: 91/2 hours slow on UTC, a bit of a head scratcher…We are enjoying our last few nights at sea under the southern stars before making landfall soon.

0211 Zulu
7 50′ 56″
136 51′ 92″ W
SOG 6.2 kts

We are through the squalls and into clear, steady breezes. Remained on close reach and didn’t touch the sails or helm for 36 hours–had one of our best mileage days yesterday noon-to-noon: 160 NM! Privateer does a great job sailing to weather. Winds are supposed to shift to beam reach tomorrow and slowly ease to ten knots as we near landfall, ETA Sunday afternoon. Played cribbage and hearts today while we blasted across the big blue sea. GRIBS are lining up very well–we’ve played a great sailing strategy on this trip, for the most incredible sailing we’ve ever experienced!

0351 Zulu
6 09′ 15″ S
135 12′ 49″ W
SOG 7.2 kts

We are close-hauled to the wind with full yankee, storm jib and single reef main in 15 knots of wind clicking back the miles. It’s a great sail combo for the few squalls that have blown through in the past 24 hours. Just before they hit we simply roll up the yankee on the furler and have an instant storm rig with which to ride out the squalls in comfort! They also give us extra deck showers and only blow about 20 knots. Reading up on the Marquesas and getting excited for making landfall soon!

0304 Zulu
03 53′ 13″ S
133 29′ 76″ W
SOG 7.6 kts

We are into the SE trades and riding a really nice 10-14 knot breeze with yankee poled out. Didn’t have to touch anything at the helm today and had a relaxing day catching up on sleep, cooking and reading. The weather is a bit cooler (relatively speaking) now that we are out of the ITCZ. Kelsey actually wore a windbreaker on the graveyard shift last night. Amazing stars and phosphorescence at night. Made 128 miles yesterday, with 608 to go!

0314 Zulu
02 17′ 50″
131 52′ 94″ W
SOG 5.8 kts

Hello from the land down under! We crossed the equator at 1730 UTC, gathered on the bowsprit amidst a spray of champagne and flying fish, clipping along at 7 knots in a fresh breeze. The Northern Hemisphere has treated us very well since leaving Alaska! Thank you North Pacific Ocean! We’ve sailed over 1/6th the distance around the earth’s circumference, 60 degrees of latitude. The remarkable voyage continues as we have picked up the SE trades, which are showing to be 10-14 knots most of the way to the Marquesas according to the GRIB reports. We are about 730 NM from Hiva Oa, about the distance from Seattle to Juneau.

0232 Zulu
00 44’02” South!
130 30′ 04″ W
SOG 5.0 kts

Close hauled in light winds under full sail. In between two light low pressure systems, which after passing should veer to light SE trade winds. Poised to cross the Equator some time tomorrow!!! Got a lot of small boat projects done today, cribbage, naps, reading etc. Cooler day today which was nice! Deep into the shipboard routine and watch rotation, Privateer is taking us to the Southern Hemisphere!

0322 Zulu
01 08′ 30″ N
129 54′ 96″ W
SOG 4 kts

We are running under engine power through the Doldrums. We’ve only burned through a few gallons of diesel since leaving the Golden Gate and we’re doing very well on fuel supply. The water is a stunning blue. Topped off our freshwater tanks today and did the laundry! Crisp linens line dried on the rail, nothing better! 94 degrees inside the cabin so we spent the majority of the day taking cold freshwater showers in the cockpit. Thank god for the Spectra water maker! We’ve rigged up full sun shade awnings and the golf umbrella is the perfect fit for the side! Makes a huge difference. Looks like a few days of calm before we pick up the SE trades, GRIBs showing nice 15 knots in 96 hours time. We’re about 200 miles from the Equator and are officially 2/3 of the way to the Marquesas!! 130 mile day yesterday noon-noon.

0331 Zulu
2 59′ 97″ N
129 20′ 76″ W
SOG 6.2 kts

130 mile day yesterday. Winds lightening up and we are close hauled under full working sails, ghosting along nicely. Looks like the ITCZ has shifted to the south a bit, we might still run through it around 3 degrees north latitude. Had some squalls last night, early this morning which gave us a nice lift and washed some of the salt off the sails and decks! Hot and humid as we near the equator.

0249 Zulu
5 13′ 00″ N
128 59′ 46″ W
SOG 4.8 kts

We came into the ITCZ late last night with several squalls making our wind go a bit flukey, but we are still riding a steady 12 knot breeze. Another great noon-noon, 150NM! Our sleigh ride is over–it took us to just 441 miles north of the equator! Hopefully will be on the equator near 130 degrees West in several day’s time in lighter winds and calm seas. A pod of whales closed in on Privateer today, 4 or 5 of them trailing right behind our fishing gear. Luckily Kari got it in before they took the line! They stayed with us for a half hour or so. Days go flying by

0246 Zulu
07 13′ 05″
128 22″ 00″
SOG 6.0 kts