Tag: sailing

  • Day 23: LAND HO!

    April 22 (Monday): I had the morning watch today and it was magical to see the bright moon light my way then set directly in front of me, then the light slowly return behind me as the sun rose.  Also, my little red-footed friend stretched her wings and flew off around 8am. The kids hoisted…

  • 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. …

  • Day 21: Crossing from Mexico to French Polynesia

    Yesterday, woke up to squally sky with the treat of a rainbow, a “squall-bow” a friend called it.  Winds up and down, five sail changes before pancakes done.  Winds filling in, sails up, and moving along!  Back to our old friend, beam seas and raucous noises.  Emil calls 17 knots of wind our “Goldilocks speed,”…

  • Day 20: Pacific Crossing to Marquesas; Crew Commentary

    View from the Portside Crew Quarters: Wanted: Crew needed for Pacific crossing. Principal duty to stand watch in the middle of the night. Other duties as assigned. Room and board provided. Must play well with others. As we near the Marquesas we’ve spent more time reflecting on the passage behind us and prepping to be…

  • Day 19: Pacific Crossing to Marquesas, French Polynesia

    A tired crew this morning after last night’s squall line that played with us until it finally spit us out around 9am.  Seas calmed, winds calmed, sun out and patchy white clouds on blue sky background.  We are motoring along today on one engine, ensuring fuel conservation. Regarding fuel, we have two 60 gallon tanks…

  • Day 18: Pacific Crossing to French Polynesia

    This morning, continued on our same course, making great progress with winds 15 and 1.5 knots current.  In the afternoon, winds decreased, sailing with our Code 0 and Main, still able to maintain speed above 5 knots with Equatorial Current our friend.  Seas calming, ahhh…feels lovely as we slowly move along.  Emil cleaned the barnacles…

  • Day 17: Pacific Ocean Crossing to French Polynesia

    We have started to see some random flotsam in the water, a plastic bottle here or there, not much thankfully.  Yesterday, I saw it – the glass fishing ball I’ve been seeking…wait, no, that’s not a glass ball, it’s a ship in a bottle…nope, look closer, it’s a massive…lightbulb?!  Must have come off one of…

  • Day 16: Pacific Ocean Crossing to French Polynesia

    Morning deck count: 3 flying fish and 1 squid. Continued our progress south, steady winds 14-18 knots.  Our day went by with reading, watch shifts, naps, read alouds, weather checking, cloud watching, cooking, doing dishes, visiting. People have asked me how it “feels” to be out here.  Today I am ready for land…just a moment…

  • Day 15: Pacific Ocean Crossing from Mexico to French Polynesia

    All of us woke a bit late, except for Chris still at the wheel, from our 2am Equator ceremony; he is now thankfully napping in Southern Hemisphere bliss.  Seas a bit on our beam, winds light, we slowly sail along at 4 knots.  We are trying to head more south than west at this point…

  • Day 14: EQUATOR!!!

    Moving along today, first under genoa, then under Code 0; changed our course just 15 degrees to the west.  Skies are blue, sun is hot. I see why this passage is called a marathon.  We are trying to take in every moment, but I’m also excited to stop moving for a second and stand on…