Day 19 - Pacific Crossing - 10th April

10th April: 17.30 (Add 8 for UTC)
Course needed: 269
Course steered: 269
Speed: average 4.8 knots
Miles sailed: 2171
Miles to go: 870
Lat: 9° 21'S
Long: 124° 19'W
Wind: 10-15 apparent, 135 true?
Plan: Sail direct for Hiva Oa


A cloudy night with a weird sunset sky suggested we were in for a rough time. But as it happened we just sailed onward to the west. I think the weather system was changing somehow though as the wind direction and strength were all over the place. But we got some good miles in.

And by this morning and all afternoon we've been cracking on surfing down big lazy swells consistently over six knots. Indeed as Gill said today "This wouldn't have been a bad journey if it had all been like this".

But I am tired. Physically, mentally and emotionally. Sway, sway, creak, creak, what's that noise, so many things to go wrong, how will we fix them. Good job Gill is so supportive. And then I look around at the miles and miles and miles and miles of empty ocean. Just us and the Pacific Ocean headed for a tiny dot halfway to New Zealand. Quite amazing, remote and awe inspiring.

I did manage to make two very nice fishing lures today but the swell is big, we are travelling too fast if we hook one and the back of the boat is rocking around so I haven't deployed them yet. Or perhaps I just couldn't be arsed again. Sorry Stu.

Down below the boat is in chaos. We had to empty the big lazarette storage area when the steering broke and there are fleeces and wet weather gear strewn around.(It is still chilly at night, especially the 3am to 6am watch when energy levels are low). At least the yankee is no longer filling the saloon. We gingerly tested Gill's repair today, first reefed and then full sail as we surfed our way west. It held up well but as the wind increased we though it better not to risk it so it now sits up on the front stay nicely rolled away and we sail on with full main and staysail.

Noises.(just the top eight)
1. A crack/rattle. One of the reefing sliders inside the boom.
2. Occasional tension creak. As Paul's steering lines move against a pulley.
3. A scraping noise. The forward fire extinguisher moving minutely.
4. Rattle, rattle. Crockery moving (quiet now as stuffed with tea towels).
5. Bang/kerthwump. The worst. The boom swinging and the sail slapping when the wave action wins over the wind action. Horrid.
6. A distinct 'crack'. Two pieces of carpentry moving against each other when we roll. Sounds worse than it is.
7. Clonk, aft cabin. Paul's steering cogs and vane moving.
8. Click from rudder. Tiny amount of play now that shaft bearing aligned correctly (thanks Kevin, M2).


Our mindsets have changed since the 2,000 mile mark. Instead of the next big milestone being 1,000 miles or halfway it is now how far to Hiva Oa. We are counting down rather than up. We watch the miles reducing by around 120 a day. Not fast but steady enough. Currently 866 miles remaining. In 7 or 8 more days we should be there.


email (text only, no pictures) to mvgc3@sailmail.com

Follow us at https://www.noforeignland.com/boat/mehalah/journey

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