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 were mainly 4-7′ wind chop when the winds were aft of beam. As the winds went forward of the beam we then started to feel the SW swell on top of the wind chop. Around 5:00 am the winds backed further to 15-20G24 S to SSW and the seas built to 6-10′ short period slop which is making for a very uncomfortable ride.
Hopefully later today the seas and winds will moderate. Our speed has been reduced to 6.0-6.5 kts slowing our ETA to late Friday evening.
The good news on the higher winds…..when the winds were aft our little sail was doing a good job…..our speed increased from low 7’s to mid 7’s…..a gain of 0.3-0.4 kts……we just love our little sail that can 🙂 )))) We took the sail down when the winds switched to the south headwinds.
The new transmission oil cooler seems to be working just fine. We have checked the oil in the trany several times….clear oil and holding levels….yeah!!!!! I’ve reread some of my notes from the Bahama incident and saw 1500 – 2000 hours is typical life…..so I guess we did ok at 1675 hours…..but, wow, this is going on the maintenance list for every 1500 hours….duh!!!!!
That incident really has us keyed up…..we both had a hard time sleeping yesterday…..now every sound is a potential disaster…..an alarm went off yesterday afternoon and I was on the ceiling….turned out to be the watermaker filters going dirty…..no big deal…..just change the filter….but you get the picture.
We are now quite behind our route timing thanks to a persistent adverse current and now the hedwinds. On the plus side we are further north than expected and thus the trough is weaker than expected. On the downside our ETA into Whangarei is now late Friday evening. It looks like we might miss Customs and have to overnight at their dock….we just hope we get in before dark……ugh!!!!!
————————————
Stats:
Position: 29 57S 178 45E
Traveled: 177nm today: 636 traveled so far; 424nm to go; ETA Friday 10/18 late pm
Course: 198M COG
Wind: 15-20 kts S
Waves: 6-10′ S swell and wind chop
Speed: current speed is 6.0 SOG, has varied 5.8-8.1 kts; avg is 7.3 kts; 1600 rpm
Weather: mostly sunny yesterday; 100% cloud cover with squalls/rain this am; sea temp 67.5 deg F
Boat sightings: 0 today, 1 total
Fishing: not started yet; I doubt I will now
Sail: down until the wind backs from these hedwinds
Fuel burn: 1.22 npmg, 6.4 gph – not quite as good as expected; that darn counter current and headwinds!!
Hope all is well!
John
Mystic Moon
Hang in there guys. Trust your training and instincts and pray a lot ha ha. we are doing the same for you. As always, enjoy the journey!
Good news is, you’re over half way through the dreaded passage to NZ. Soon you will arrive and the passage will be behind you, with only wonderful adventures in front of you. Love you YBs. Hope the next few days go well. Looking forward to a fish story John! We’re having pork chops tonight. Miss the fresh fish… Can’t quite get my mind around 20 bucks a pound for tuna, halibut, or any fish for that matter. Deb and Bill
Thanks for the daily updates, but I am waiting to hear that you have safely arrived in NZ.