Day 22: Crossing from Mexico to French Polynesia

Seas continue to build and make for a “sporty” day with wind solidly in the mid-20s and seas 3-4 meters on our stern.  Our plan it to keep them on the stern and make our way west, then drop down south tomorrow once seas decrease and we can comfortably sail with them on our beam. 

Calder was laying down in his bunk and looked up just as a massive wave entered the port head window, filling the toilet and sink, splashing up on the ceiling.  He took to the task of cleaning it up, bow jerking up and down; likely the only one who could have his head down scrubbing up ocean water without feeling ill.

We have felt quite isolated out here.  Then we see another sailboat on our AIS, another catamaran about 15 miles away out of sight on the other side of a band of squalls.  Then, during watch today, intently watching the large waves coming against the beam of our boat, I look up off our bow to see a very large fishing vessel, towering above the water like a building.  It is not on our AIS and changes course to go around us, coming within a quarter mile.

The next excitement of our day was when three red-footed boobey birds landed on our bow, comically trying to balance with the large swells.  They stayed long enough for us to give each a name and personality before leaving us to join a large flock.  Yes, a flock.  We have not seen any flocks of birds since Mexico and today we saw two large flocks.  I was excited when one boobie bird returned, red-footed and blue-beaked with pink blushing cheeks; she ended up curling up balanced on the bow to sleep for the night, only leaving at sunrise.

Calder’s tuna catch today was our first in the Southern Hemisphere and we were stoked to have some fresh fish.

We are now in Marquesas waters, less than 200nm to go; increased activity of bird flocks and boats indicating land is nearing…

Total miles over the last 24 hours:     121.9 nm

Average speed in last 24 hours:     5.1 kts

Total miles of trip so far:      2,715 nm