[password] Bri44angel
[gulfharbor]
synopsis: on
roll call: on
updates: on
[position] 24 38.713S 167 25.566E
[status] Left Noumea, New Caledonia bound for Marsden Cove, New Zealand yesterday at 0830 local time. Good sailing yesterday and throughout the night; first 24hr trip total 146nm. Some rain and lightning last night, but no heavy winds, followed by a distinct wind shift to the NE (passed through frontal band). Had been tracking S & W of the rhumb line, but started coming back with the NE winds. Wind went light about 3 hours ago, so started the engine when we could not maintain 4 kts boat speed. Only problem so far is with house battery bank; will not hold a charge under load (knew this was an issue before we left New Cal, but could not source replacement batteries there); lots of creative energy management and battery charging regimens in place for this trip, and new batteries in NZ! Other than that, all is well on board!
[speed] 5.9 kts (motor sailing)
[heading] 130T
[weather] Winds E, ENE 5-6; seas 1m ENE; 25% cloud cover; bar 1011.04, steady.
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