[password]seabird14
[position] 27 57.6 S 007 06.9 E
[heading] 354T
[speed] 7.5 kts
[weather] 22kts SE, 3m seas SE, 1023 mb, 90% cc
[status] 1017 nm to St Helena. 7.5 kts at 354T, stbd broad reach, sgl reefed main plus staysail. The fresh water rinses have continued as have the continued 20-25 kt winds. We stayed on port tack for as long as we could, it being the favorable one, but at 0530 this morning local we gybed over since we were no longer making good vmg. As the wind has backed to more SE / ESE the seas are confused, with SW swell colliding at the most inconvenient times with the changing wind waves. Pretty much the washing machine motion down below. Once the wind goes steadily below 20kts we plan to rig DDW, but until then we are satisfied with sailing almost due north. In a bit over 100 nm north from here on our current rhumbline we will cross the Valdivia banks, containing sea mounts that rise to a depth of 120 ft from over 16,500 ft deep. Depending on the wind and current state when we are near there we may have to maneuver appropriately to avoid passing nearby as freak waves are not something we wish to deal with. Of course, at this point we will be transiting that spot in the ocean in the wee hours of total darkness, so no, we will not be throwing a lure out (no doubt much to the disappointment of our fishing friend enthusiasts in NZ)!
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