20.06 BOAT TIME | 09º 53.5’ S 129º 22.3 ’ W
Spinnaker Sailing
In more important news we hoisted the spinnaker at first light this morning, and it’s still flying now as the sun sets into the ocean off our bow. The winds are light, and the swell has come down to about a meter. Perfect kite weather. We’re making around 7 knots in 10 knots of wind, nothing wrong with that. Alex held a class in the cockpit, which is still blanketed in lovely afternoon shade, now with a pink tint from the spin. He pulled out a whiteboard and ran through sail trim, from headsail cars and backstay tension to how to de-power in a hurry. The plan is to continue afternoon lessons until our arrival.
Wishing everyone shoreside a beautiful day, from Falken, as she sails into a bright pink sky, under a bright pink spinnaker.
Phoebe G.
View more passage logs
Hove-to!
Falken is too fast—a problem most sailors would kill for, yet here we are, tacking back and forth across the Pacific just to kill time. A rogue low pressure system south of Tahiti has stolen the trades and scrambled our timing for the tidal window into Kauehi's pass, leaving us hove-to 45 miles short of our target in the Tuamotus. Salt licorice, dream sandwich debates, and a philosophical question about mermaid reproduction are helping pass the night.
Smooth sailing to squalls
Squalls, doldrums, and the Southern Cross — Day 3 aboard Falken delivered the full spectrum. Just as the crew found their rhythm under steady Trade winds, the weather had other ideas, pinning reliable forecasts against a restless low to the south. The only certainty out here is that the sea keeps you honest — and the crew is rising to meet it.
Quick stop in Ua-Pou
Good morning from FALKEN, it’s 8.55 onboard and we have been underway less than 12 hours, but it feels like we have been sailing for days. A lot have happened though since we left our secure anchorage in Nuku Hiva on Wednesday...
