Wednesday 10/16, Day 4: The trough hit us around 3:30am. Before that, the winds built from 10-15 to 15-20G22 NNW and increased to 20-25G30 SW for about 30 minutes with some squalls/rain, then reduced to 14-18G24 kts SW. I think the North winds may have knocked down some of the SW swell as the seas … Read More →
Author Archives: John
Tonga to New Zealand, Day 3
Tuesday 10/14, Day 3: Well……from boredom to sheer fright all in a days passage….arghhhhhhh!! The boredom part……just ideal trawler weather….very much welcomed after the 12 hour sporty ride last night. The winds were ENE 8-12 kt behind us and a 3-6′ SSW swell that was no bother…..sunny, but a bit cool……so we just watched and … Read More →
Tonga to New Zealand, Day 2
Monday 10/14: Today was 3 different conditions. First, in the morning, it was rather calm conditions, 8-12 kt SE winds, 1 meter seas. In the afternoon and last evening, the winds built to 18-22 kts SE with considerable 2-4′ wind chop as well as a 2 meter SSW swell. After dinner the ride was rather … Read More →
Tonga to New Zealand, Day 1
Sunday, 10/13: We are on our way through some of the most treacherous waters we have ever been in….yikes!!!! Nervous/anxious – you betcha!!! We have both been dreading this passage since we left Panama way back last February but it was always something that was in the future so not too worry….well the future is … Read More →
Vava’u to Ha’apai Tonga
Thursday, 9/26/2013 Wow….has it really been 4.5 weeks since we arrived in Vava’u Tonga…..where did the time go. Kathy did try and update the blog with pictures from Suwarrow and Niue but the internet is just too slow and about all we could do is get emails 🙁 (( We are on a day passage … Read More →
Niue to Tonga, Day 2
3:00 am 8/22: Sleepy is the word for the day…..not sure if it is the bee sting or just getting tired of all these long passages but having a hard time staying awake…..arghhhhh!!! I took 3 naps yesterday and still feel very tired!! We are not alone on getting tired of these long passages….that is … Read More →
Niue to Tonga, Day 1
2:00am Wednesday 8/21: We left Niue at 12:45 am…..ugh!!!! As a parting gift from Niue as Kathy and I were retrieving the flopper stopper, I inadvertently stepped on a bee….oweeeee……and, I’m allergic…..so, a couple of Benadryl and some hydocortisone cream and I’m good to go….of course, the foot is now a size 20…yuck!!!! We are … Read More →
Suwarrow, Cook Islands to Niue, Day 3
11:30 am 8/11: All is well and we are moored on a big mooring in Niue….yeah!!!! The big excitement for the day was a WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…..yeah baby….another big one….caught on a blue and white rapala!!!!! More later…now time for the passage beer and bloody mary 🙂 ))) ————————————— Stats as of 11:30am 2230 UTC 8/11: Position: … Read More →
Suwarrow, Cook Islands to Niue, Day 2
3:00am 8/10: Another boring day at sea…..just how we like them!!!! Wow, I must have been really worn out from Suwarrow…..all I did all day was read and nap…..LIG 🙂 ))))) Pretty tired tonight….was in a deep sleep when it was my time for watch……hard to wake up….coffee not working…..arghhhhh!!!! Today was much better conditions….seas … Read More →
Suwarrow, Cook Islands to Niue, Day 1
3:00am 8/9: We left Suwarrow at 8:00 am local time or 1900 UTC on Thursday 8/8. Conditions were very boisterous…..17-23G28 kt ESE winds and seas 6-10′ ESE…..all very beamy making for a very rock and roll ride. Towards morning the winds began to back to E-ENE and the ride marginally improved. The anchorage is full … Read More →
