Day 9 in the Pacific

Tuesday 18th March

At 12.00 midday today we were nine days out from our start off Puerto Ayora, Galapagos.

By midnight tonight we should have less than 1,500nm to go, that is past the halfway point on this leg. The voyage has been very consistent since we cleared the Galapagos after day three, the slowest part of the voyage so far was getting away from Galapagos into the Trades. We continue broad reaching with genoa and main, the other combinations we could try would be a gennaker or twin goosewinged genoas either with little or no main. Tacking and gybing are not frequent occurences, we may not gybe for a week!

The wind has been up to 22 kts today but is around 17-19 kts true most of the time. Each time we think of changing configuration the wind either strengthens and heads us or fades and backs. We end up most of the time finding that the genoa and main is the most versatile set up for the changing conditions.

The sea state is very manageable with occasional lurching sweeps of the boat as waves pass under her from aft and to port. When we catch a wave just right we can get up to 9kts but 7.5kts is at present the ambient speed clocking up the nautical miles, long may it last.

The weather is wonderful and with a near full moon and clear skies at night, this makes night watches more pleasant than usual. At night it is like sailing with a silver filter over the sun, visibility is still near perfect but the tone and power of the light is diminished. Daytime is very sunny and bright with the breeze warm even when up to over 20kts. About 7pm each evening it gets a little cooler as the sun sets and you need a fleece or sweater when on night watch. Nothing has been sighted by way of other Vessels since day three off Galapagos, when a fishing vessel crossed well astern during daytime.

The fishing continues to be a disappointment and lures are being taken, line and all, with no fish to show for it. Four lures taken so far now with the lines broken, we have upped the strength of the tackle, "no more mr. nice guy", on the fishing front.

We continue to eat well, fresh fruit every morning, so no cases of scurvy so far.

Paul