Crossing the Pacific - Cruising Blogs

Cruising blogs from the crews on yachts in the World ARC around the world sailing rally.

Easter in the middle of the Pacific.

 

 

 

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Yacht: Asolare

Leg 4, Day 15

Easter Sunday 23rd March 2008

Another Gran Prix day I am going to miss! My son Simon, in the UK, faithfully DVD’s all Gran Prix races for me and sends them out by courier or friends later. Being a major fan of motor racing this is always something I look forward to immensely. As a thank you to Simon and as a tribute to his successes in motor racing, as a complete contrast, today’s photo is of Simon leading the field in his very modified Honda Civic! He actually won the UK Road Saloon Car Championship recently in the same car.

Shortly after yesterday’s log submission when it became light, the Parasailor was limply collapsing too near the shrouds and cross trees for comfort, so we reluctantly took it down. As soon as we had finished this and put standard “white” sails up, would you believe it, the wind picked up again after nearly 30 hours of very light wind and rose to about 15 knots. We did not expect this wind strength to last too long so we left the white sails in situ all yesterday and last night. Now, at dawn, (1445 hrs GMT) the wind is averaging 15 knots so when my crew wake up we will fly the Parasailor again!

Capt. Peter

 

 

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Yacht: Graptolite

The Easter Tunny

08:56.03S 119:20.78W Easter Sunday, wee small hours

In an attempt to attract something other than skipjacks, Colin has deployed some cruise-missile-like lures which cost a fortune in the Galapagos. They are obviously splendid bits of kit as they easily attract creatures big enough to have little problem in breaking the 130lb test line they are attached to. Colin is distraught as he has a bet on with Adrian from Kealoa 8 over who gets the biggest fish. Never mind, we have loads of canned tuna in the stores to fall back on.

Some sightings of whales earlier. Big head, big dorsal fin, but yet to be identified. I hope they're not wearing a selection of our fishing lures.

Heiki has got into the habit of doing a Titanic-style 'Kate Winslet' up at the front of the boat each sunset. Guess who gets the part of 'Leonardo' to make sure she doesn't fall off? It's not a complaint.

Bikini of the day - Captain America stars and stripes.

M

 

 

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Yacht: Southern Princess

 

Gybe City & the MPS

09:51S 130:15W

Didn't think I would be gybing backwards and forwards across the Pacific when we have so much water around us however our weather guru wants us to stay in the band 09:30S to 10:30S but the wind is not quite cooperating.

Yesterday after the wind filled in we ran the MPS all day and made good mileage. The MPS is a bit of a handful with only three of us however the girls run around the cockpit, busy as one armed paper hangers, handling all the lines, while I loll around the foredeck pulling in loose spinnaker nylon into the yacht as the sail comes down

Just on dusk last night we crossed tacks with 'Gray Lady' one of the yachts in our fleet who has not been reporting at the daily sched. On VHF they informed us their SSB was on the blink. This is a beautiful yacht built in New Zealand, British registered and owned by Russians. Never thought I would see the red duster used as a flag of convenience!

Not much else to report, we are back close by Storyteller again and we both should be in Hiva Oa by Wednesday morning.

Cheers

JH

 

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Yacht: Cleone

Leg 4 Day 14 - News in Brief

"Booby Victory" Claim - Sesational Result in Beer Trial - Russian Twist in Red Lion Mystery - "Less than 1000 to go" says Cleone

Unsubstantiated claims indicate that Bernard has finally conceeded defeat in the Booby War. Bernard the Booby has not been seen on Cleone's foredeck for over 24 hours. Our correspondant has seen at first hand the new secret weapon claimed as "instrumental" in driving Bernard away - it looks much like a long-handled brush mounted on Cleone's Pulpit, but no photos have yet been released. Elizabeth's claim that it was her "hearts and minds" campaign that pursuaded Bernard that his rightful place was at home (Galapagos?), rather than fouling the foredeck of an innocent yacht, has yet to receive endorsement either from the Operational Commander or in Whitehall (sorry, I mean Gilbert's Mead - old habits die hard). The MoD (sorry, I mean Rosie) refused to comment.

Chris "Norfy" North was unexpectedly acquitted of all charges he faced in respect of the "missing" beer. Scientific evidence showed that beer was capable of "migrating" from beer can to the atmosphere without the intervention of human hand. The Skipper (as Judge) ruled that "there was no case to answer" after the Prosecution's threadbare case was outlined to him in closed session (for security reasons, much of this case has been held in camera). The Judge added that he would "give his detailed reasons in a written judgment in due course". But it is unlikely that details of this very sensitive case will ever be released.

As satellite-based images confirmed reports that Red Lion Regular Chris Norfy North was indeed on a small yacht in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, a new twist in this extraordinary saga emerged. A mystery person, by the name of "Boris", has been in touch with our Grendon Correspondant, claiming "I own that Norfy. He'd better keep himself fit - remember he owes me, and I mean to claim my dues". When pressed for further details, "Boris" would say no more, but whilst the Sunday Sesh eschews cheque-book journalism, it is hoped that more will be forthcoming fom this particular source shortly. Clearly wherever presently located "Boris" originates from the FSU, and no doubt has mafia connections. We will continue to bring you deatils of this extrodinary saga as they emerge.

Finally, we are happy to report that the magic "1000 miles to go" threshold was passed last night, with Norfy at the helm. We can now count down the miles to go from on-deck (the GPS repeater goes no higher than 999), which gives the helmsman something to occupy himself with apart from the wind, sails, clouds (for squalls), and looking out for other shipping, in particular yachts! We made another 160 miles yesterday (just) and the weather forecast sounds good for today. Things are looking good. But the Skipper is duty cook.

All well and happy, partiucularly now Bernard has gone!

Best wishes,
James, Chris & Elizabeth
Yacht Cleone
At sea
08.37S 123.15W

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Yacht: Jus'Do It 3

ice maker!

Sunday 23.03.08

We fly the spinnaker until just before sunset , then goosewing the sails for the night shift. The wind drops in the night but we manage to maintain a reasonably steady 7 -8 knots. The wind stays E/SE , 13-15 knots. Stewy gets the shock of his life when he goes for a shower and stands on another flying fish.( Still no other fish arrivals by the way!!!)

As our ice has long gone , we’ve been using ice cube bags which make just enough for our sundowners each evening – but they have now run out – things are looking bleak………. We are therefore delighted to discover that our experiment with freezing small plastic bottles water has worked a treat and we now have huge chunks of ice for the drinks! We are going to survive the voyage after all! Especially as we have another party today – 500 miles to go – in about one hour’s time!

Miles in last 24 hours - 178

 

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Yacht: Storyteller

Day 14 - still no fish

Two weeks now since leaving the Galapagos! Still no fish but Mike and Tony are full of optimism and are confident this will change when we get near to land. A huge school of dophin, 50 or more, joined us soon after dawn this morning for an hour.

 

 

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Yacht: Kasuje

Sunday 23rd march

Happy Easter Sunday to everyone.

Another sleepy Sunday appears to be the order of the day, as we trundle along in the trade winds. Lots of conversation today over the remaining contents of our fridge and what can be created from the remnants. (Ready steady cook has got nothing on us.) I stay well away from these discussions, because for me, if it is not in Delia then it can't be done.
We are all well although just starting to get a little restless for land. It has been 14 days now since we left the Galapagos and 12 days since we saw any other signs of human life. This is a big, big ocean!

Today I thought for the non sailors amongst our readers that you may enjoy a description of the sleeping arrangements on Kasuje. They are somewhat different to the Royal Hilton but quite comfortable and spotlessly clean.

We have three sea berths in two cabins. A sea berth comprises of the existing mattress fitted with either a removable side board or a lea cloth, (A lea cloth is a removable canvas sheet that fixes to the side of the bed.) These side panels then provide a cot like secure bed approx. 3 foot wide. Sleeping comprises of firstly launching yourself at the mattress, squeezing in between the boards, finding a comfortable position, and letting fatigue and the rhythm of the sea send you to sleep. It is more comfortable than it sounds, however as we only have three sea berths and there are four of us a solution had to be found. Bruce and I, being gentlemen, offered two of the berths to the girls leaving us to share the third bed!! (You can now understand why I was getting worried when he started reading those girly books.) Fortunately the watch system ensures that our sleep periods do not coincide, so don't worry we are not in together. The only problem is that Angela has had to get used to two lots of snoring and she never knows which man is in the next bed!! (Rubina quickly bagged the single forward cabin for herself.)

It is also surprising how our sleep patterns change as we get deeper into these extended passages. Early on most find it difficult to sleep, too much movement, uncomfortable and noisy. Then fatigue takes over and you could find anyone, anywhere their eyes tight closed slumped in a deep sleep, then the rhythm of the sea and the watch system kicks in and sleep is easily found in 2 /3 hour chunks, at anytime of the night or day. It is no wonder it takes time to readjust when we are back on land.

So that's us for today .

We hope your Easter egg hunt was successful and I'm looking forward to catching up in April.
Love to all
Skipper Steve and crew.

 

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Yacht: Ideal

Day 14 - We caught our first fish!

Day 14 (I think)

We caught our first fish yesterday!

We had completely given up hope when a stupid little mahimahi mistook our green and yellow squid lour for something tasty. The victory was bitter sweet though, as the complete lack of a decent fillet knife on the boat meant that we ended up butchering it more than we'd like. We got over it eventually and enjoyed the delicious white meat with a Greek marinade last night and as ceviche for lunch today.

 

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Yacht: Lady Kay

Going west

We're still going along steadily towards the Marquesas. 880 miles to go now so we're in the last third of the journey. The weather has been good to us so far and we are making good progress in strengthening trade winds. To celebrate Easter, Kerry has cleaned the decks and we are having a bottle of wine and bananas flambeed in orange juice, nutmeg and rum.

 

Our picture shows the gennaker earning its keep as we go west.

Jackie, Michael and Kerry

 

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