Happy Father’s Day! What a glorious way to start this 24 hours; winds and seas have built to 15-24 knots, seas 1-2 meters, perfect angle – we are flying! And it is SO comfortable. We all fully have our sealegs, to the point where I’m down in the galley making meals for everyone like a short-order chef. I prepare what sounds yummy to people, from gourmet oatmeal bowls to perfectly crisp grilled cheese. I am even able to log on to work for an hour to review results and communicate with patients…telehealth from the middle of the Pacific Ocean!
Calder caught (and released) the smallest tuna, but hoping we might see some of his older relatives.
However, by late afternoon and throughout the night, the winds, seas, and sailing were quite frustrating! At sunset, we decided to change out the large Code Zero for the smaller genoa due to increasing winds going into the night. The minute we switched sails, it was as if the wind said, “Fine, then. I’m going away” and it did. The wind would die, we’d wallow in the swells, and the sails would flog. So, we’d adjust course and/or use the engine for a bit of power assist to get through the wallows. Then the winds would build again, sails back up, and off we’d go, having a great sail for…15 minutes. Then nothing. The craziest was during Calder’s watch when the winds decreased to 5 knots, then suddenly spiked straight to 36 knots of wind! It slowly worked back down to 5 knots again. Chris was “on call” all night, as it’s easier to change sails and adjust with two people, so he’d get called on throughout the night. He’s a bit knackered and we’ve sent him to nap.
We need to maintain a 5.8 knot average to get to Tanna Island, Vanuatu in the daylight hours on Wednesday. Otherwise, we’ll have to slow down for another night out here. I’ve been in touch with the authorities of Vanuatu requesting permission to check-in to the country at Port Resolution, Tanna Island.
At some point, a large flying fish flew onto our boat and remains on the side deck. This morning there are large birds around, as we are only 80 miles away from some unoccupied volcanic islands. We get some drizzles, more rainbows. We are downwind sailing now with just our headsail. It’s getting quite warm out, time to put away our fluffy blankets.
Our outdoor fridge got too cold overnight and froze a bunch of our fresh veg, sadness. I’m making apple-pear sauce and it looks like stir-fry is in order tonight for dinner.
Food today: Breakfast of loaded oatmeal bowls. Dinner of black bean, cheese, veg burritos with guac.
24 hour total: 150 nm
Miles to go: 276 nm
SV Terikah Adventures 