Captain’s Log: Opua to Savusavu Fiji, Day 6+, Arrived

Bula,

Yes, we did it…we have arrived Savusavu Fiji safe and sound!!!!!

We got in and tied to a mooring in front of Copra Shed marina around 3:15 pm. By 5:00 we are all checked in…..health, quarantine, customs, and immigration…..we made it through with all our goodies….and relaxing with the first of many passage beers/wine/scotch:)))))

This was an ideal trawler window for us the entire trip. Except for one 15 hour period of moderate ENE winds, all the wind and seas were behind us and ranged from very calm to moderate conditions. Given this notoriously unpredictable piece of ocean we feel so fortunate and blessed to have this passage done safe and sound. This is our 2nd of 4 passages to/from New Zealand…..we just hope we can continue to find such great windows!!!

And for those who want to know, we highly recommend Bob McDavitt as a weather router. In spite of so many in Opua saying don’t go, Bob took the extra time to analyze ALL the data and came to a very correct conclusion. The windows for leaving this week are much better for our sailboat friends but I’m not sure Mystic would have enjoyed it as much!!

AND, as Mystic kept telling me…..she had this one, had our backs, just sit back and relax….and she did just that…..a few minor things to work on…like our cameras not working (has to be a loose connection somewhere)…..but, I have my mojo/confidence back…..game on for our 10th season of cruising:)))))

Stats:

Position: 16 46S 179 20E
Traveled: 63nm today; 1151nm total; arrived 3:15pm Savusau
Course: 356M COG
Wind: 8-15 kts ESE-SE
Waves: 1-3′ wind chop once past Wayasa reef
Speed: current speed is 7.9 SOG; has varied 7.2-8.4 kts; avg is 7.7 kts; 1625 rpm
Weather: 100% cloud this am; became clear around 10:00am; sea temp 83.3 deg F; air temp is 82 deg F
Boat sightings: 3 today, all sailboats around Fiji; 5 total
Fishing: nope, plenty of fish to eat for now!; 5 total; 1 yellowfin tuna, 4 Mahi
Sail: down
Fuel burn: 1.3nmpg; 1.32 nmpg total, 5.78 gph…..maybe 4-5% higher than expected!!!

Hope all is well!

John
Mystic Moon

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