Position 1800 UTC - 15th June 2020
- 07 degrees, 49 minutes South
- 132 degrees, 14 minutes West
Sailing wing on wing with wind at 147 degrees apparent
Sea State: 2m swell with a short wind chop
Wind: 17 knots from the East - slightly north of east
Speed over the ground: 7.0 knots
Course over the ground: 243 degrees
Distance sailed towards north Marquesas in 24 hours 172
Last night we continued sailing poled out overnight and learned that in these seas if we don't put the main sail out to the side we can actually run with the wind on the port side further forward - hence the 147 apparent wind angle not previously seen! It must be something to do with the draft of the main keeping the genoa full. Anyhow this allowed us to run on course in lighter winds and enjoy a comfortable night apart from another night being plagued by fishing related AIS targets. On my watch I actually spotted a fishing boat about 6 miles to the north of us called Tuna Star with huge bright lights. It's now well into the afternoon and the targets are still hanging around - we are getting a bit more relaxed about them and have weaved our way through them. I did get Andrew up when I found them either side of us while I was relaxing listening to my hi brow hamish and andy podcast at 3am.
Today, the wind had gradually eased to around 12 knots and come around to the East North East, pushing us south slowly but the sea has also calmed off and it is absolutely spectacular out here this afternoon. Not a single white cap and just a gently pulsing ocean swell with a long period, our sails puff and yes do crash around a little but you can't help but allow it as its so magical. So we are relaxing and lazing in the cockpit reading - i might even get the bean bags out.
Please let's have a nice calm night without the tuna fishing fleet targets.
We have less than 500 miles to go to our waypoint in the north of the Marquesas.
Life is slow but good.
Third Special Geeky Stat Report for those who care about numbers:
We left Galapagos on Monday June 1st bound for Queensland. A journey of more than 7000 miles which we expect to take 50 days. We have prepared supplies for 60 days at sea and have 20 days of additional reserve.
After 15 days this is how we have done
-Distance sailed 2538 Nm or about 36% of the direct course to Brisbane
-Consumed 116L of diesel of 700L on board which is about 17%
-Water tanks are full
-Food going better than plan with no waste
-Six fish caught- 2 tuna and 4 Mahi Mahi
-All boat systems operational except VHF Marine Radio due to mast head antenna failure. SSB Marine radio and AIS unaffected.
All good at this stage and ahead of plan. We have requested permission from the government in Tahiti to make a technical stop in the Marquesas where if granted we will be able to repair the VHF Radio antenna.
Next geek update at day 20
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