Pacific NW

Expeditions

Had our best noon-to-noon run yet today–162 NM! That’s 6.75 knots average speed over 24 hours. We are absolutely flying through the trade winds. Massive swarms of flying fish–thumping into the dodger all night long. Psychedelic phosphorescent dolphin show at moonrise. Kari and I put put out the fishing gear at 0800 and before we even had the line paid all the way out we caught a nice tuna! Kari filleted it and it was still twitching when it hit the pan. Fed us all for breakfast and dinner. It was the most delicious fish I’ve ever tasted. Crossed down under the 10th latitude today, watching the big dipper and north star get lower on the horizon each night. Livin’ high on the hog and EPIC sailing!

0246 Zulu
09 39′ 49″ N
127 52′ 79″ W
SOG 6.4 kts

We are officially halfway to the Marquesas! Slaughtering the miles in the trade winds here with an even 15 knot breeze. Flying fish are getting thicker and the decks are littered with eyeballs and bratwurst-sized carcasses. Kelsey took a direct hit to the face, many more bouncing off the dodger. Fine sailing.

0306 Zulu
12 15′ 97″ N
127 32′ 60″ W
SOG 7.0 kts

158 mile sailing day yesterday! Excellent trade wind sailing, flying fish landing on the deck and jumping all around the boat. Dolphins jumping out of the waves under the full moon. We are knocking back the miles to the equator. Put out our tuna gear today and still enjoying veggies. This is awesome sailing. Beam reaching on dbl reef main, dbl reef yankee, stays’l, 15-18 knots, balanced out with magic Monitor steering away. We haven’t touched the helm since the Golden Gate. Full fuel tanks, full water tanks thanks to the Spectra, solar power by day and wind power by night are keeping battery voltages fully charged and floating at 13.1-13.4 volts, even under full power demand. Totally rad.

0248 Zulu
14 44′ 55″ N
127 01′ 13″ W
SOG 6.6 kts

146 NM sailing day yesterday, high mileages continue as we make our way across the well established trade winds. Screaming along at 8 knots and knocking back the miles at incredible rate. Got HOT today– boat must stay closed up below on the ocean for the spray. Down to bathing suits. Perfect GRIB scenario all the way to the equator. Tacos for dinner tonight!

0329 Zulu
17 13′ 84″ N
126 33′ 42″ W
SOG 8.2 kts

Riding the NE trades, double reef main and staysail! Warm breezes today and ocean temps very warm! We are officially over 1/3 of the way to the Marquesas.

0522 Zulu
19 22′ 23″
126 14′ 53″
SOG 6-8 kts

We have reached the NE Trades! Bounding along in 16 knot breezes, broad to beam reaching. Excellent fast sailing. Also crossed the Tropic of Cancer today, so we are officially in the tropics! 70 degrees in the cabin at night, and we are cutting the legs off our long pants. Unbelievable sailing conditions.

0257 Zulu
21 59′ 00″
125 46′ 13″ W
SOG 6.9 kts

We are officially over 1/4 of the way to the Marquesas! Making consistent 130 nm days and North winds holding steady and gradually transitioning to NE. Amazing sailing continues. Trade winds to establish themselves in the next 200 miles or so, and ITCZ forecast looks very promising–narrow band at 130 degrees west on the Equator, our next waypoint!!

0405 Zulu
23 50′ 42″ N
125 07′ 97″ W
SOG 5.6

On starboard tack N-NW winds consistent 10-15 kts. Perfect sailing continues! Fired up engine for the first time to make hot water for showers–otherwise solar panels are cranking out the amps. Pretty much been able to sail right down the Great Circle so far, trades not far away now as we make our way off the SE corner of the high pressure. Couldn’t be better conditions–this is totally awesome!

0707 Zulu
25 30′ 5″ N
124 37′ 37″ W
SOG 5.2 kts

Another awesome sailing day, yankee winged out on the pole and warm gentle breezes 10-12 knots. We are about 500 miles west of Isla Cedros and Bahia de Tortugas. Santa Ana winds are tearing up the coast and we’re in the best spot out here, well offshore! 1,700 miles to the equator. Great GRIBS and Wx fax reports for the next 8 days. Hoping to pick up the NE trades in a day or two. ITCZ showing normal patterns and we are well poised to cross the doldrums at a narrow point on our current angle of sail.

0351 Zulu
27 43.75′ N
124 15.32′ W
SOG 5.3 kts

Sailed across the 30th parallel today! Were on the 60th this summer in Alaska, so we’ve sailed 1/12th the way around the world so far. Wing on wing all day today with full main and poled out yankee. Unbelievable sailing conditions, bare feet, monitor all the way!! This is the “cat’s pajamas” as Kathy would say. Loving every minute of the ride.

0420 Zulu
29 36.0 N
124 06.6 W
SOG 6-7 kts