[p]pjr4728
[s]
pos: 25 00.3s 177 16.8w
sp: 6.5-7.5
h: 223t
w: 18-20kn SW, cloud 7/8, SS 1-1.5m SSW
d: 28/06/20 12.00 GMT+1300
We have now covered around 1,617nm over ground in 12 days since starting (1,764nm through the water showing average current has been against - and/or our Log needs recalibrating!!).

Day 9 (145.5nm) had us passing about 45nm to the S of Beveridge Reef in nice conditions in 17-21 (gusts to 27).

On Day 10 (151.2nm), winds rose to about 25-30kn, with 3m+, messy seas (Perhaps even a little higher, as they extended above our wind generator). We were having a few problems in the gusts with our sail plan, having reduced to our '2nd' (really a 3rd) reef in the evening as the winds built. Broad reaching with the rolled genoa poled out was working really well between 140-150 apparent, but as the stronger gusts , some 30+, came through we would round up and the windvane was unable to always correct, as the genoa lost any force being held at 90 degrees. So we braved the bucking bronco and removed the pole, which allowed us to sheet the genoa as per normal and get a lot more correcting moment in the gusts. Life became that much sweeter!

Day 11 (142.8nm) saw us crossing the Tropic of Capricorn as we continued WSW, coming up onto the Tonga Ridge, where depths reduce from an almost-unimaginable 10,000m+ (deeper than Everest is high!), to as little as 25m. Needless to say we threaded our way around the shallower bits to avoid both potential bumps and dodgy waves. These were never too bad and less than the 2.6m forecast, so combined with a lovely sailing breeze, made for a happy day!

Day 12 (145.7nm) showed the vagaries of the sea after the glorious sailing weather of the morning gave way to winds increasing back up to a sustained 28-30kn in the afternoon and overnight, with some rainy squalls. Our course wandered a bit as we sought a comfortable angle, for we had read the runes and sought a more-direct (& close-reaching) course to Opua, having determined no stop in Minerva would be necessary: Apparently, usually you can expect a Low across the Tasman every 6-8 days (ie at some point between Tonga and NZ), so we had initially planned a route further west after passing Minerva to put us in a better position to approach NZ if one arose - However the forecasts have remained good and show no Low before we should make landfall, so direct it is. Back to TRM and a couple of rolls in the genoa overnight and things were a lot more comfortable. We've even kept this configuration as the wind has moderated again to a fab 20kn this morning, as we only seem to be losing half a knot (about 3 hrs in the 36 we expect this decent wind strength to continue for), and it's jolly nice not to be bounced around the cabin!
So, about 750nm to go and looking forward to at least 3-4 days good sailing, then it all goes a bit quiet and we expect to have to fire Perky up for some assistance over the final furlong...Plenty of fuel though and (we don't think) it's a place to be too purist!

TTFN
Paul, Sue and Mili

[END]