Second Wind
FollowRecent Updates
First glorious sailing day of this passage, a lively upwind romp. Made us remember it's not all about the destination!
Messy day as a trough passes. Strong squalls, motorsailing upwind, not much progress made. With such a great run so far and boats to the east of us getting clobbered, no whining allowed on this boat.
On second reef & inner foresail, will reduce to 3rd reef soon with wind & seas building. At least it warmed up enough to take off our coats & gloves!
Position from noon today. Propagation is poor so having trouble sending and receiving info, including current gribs; trying to situate ourselves reasonably well for upcoming weather.
Rough start leaving NZ yesterday but calmer now and making good progress
Waiting in Opua for a weather window to head to Vanuatu
Arrived safely in Opua, at Bay of Islands Marina
With limited mobility we have to arrive in Opua by daylight; sailing slowly to arrive tomorrow morning
Lost >20 miles while hove to, but rest was necessary; now we're clawing our way back towards North Cape
Hove to in a strong gale
Kept drifting north until wind returned; now in a race to round North Cape before the worst of the front arrives
No engine, and now no wind; wallowing in the waves, floating away from NZ!
Transmission failed this morning! Hoping fervently for favorable winds until landfall in a few days
Tacking into strong winds & rough seas
Finally some terrific wind!
Motorsailing
Made some easting overnight but still upwind toward Norfolk (at least we're no longer headed toward Australia!)
Making easting is still tough; Norfolk looks like a probable option
Tough upwind slog, having to tack. On the bright side, caught our biggest mahimahi ever!