34º11.5 N, 121º03.8 W
November 5, 2025 | 1400 LT/2200 UTC | 34º11.5 N, 121º03.8 W | Dolphins & Calm Seas
The seas have calmed down a lot from last night, giving us a much more comfortable ride as we head east on a starboard tack. A couple of hours ago we encountered a pod of 20-25 dolphins leaping from the sea at right angles to us; they passed under the keel and went off towards the open ocean. Spirits on watch are high, as most of us managed to get a decent chunk of sleep despite pounding waves earlier in the morning. Cirrostratus clouds are shielding us from direct sun while letting in lots of light and flashes of arctic blue sky. No traffic lately besides the dolphins and a curious petrel. Hopes are high that in the next day or so we can try some down-wind sailing, weather permitting. Many of us are using the calmer weather to practice our photography, and plans are already being made for a round of fancy margaritas in Ensenada.
Margaret H. | FALKEN Crew
FALKENCrew
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HMS Night Watch Party
Wing on wing worked well until the wind shifted then the helm became the cone of despair for our night watch crew of three (H, M and S) Alex made the decision to drop the pole, shifting wing on wing to a close reach. Wind increased to low teens and speed picked up to a flying pace. Day spent wandering toward Ensenada. Alex, Adam and David got us into port under another starry night.
No Kitemares Today
After a night marked by sudden wind accelerations peeling off Point Conception, and a vibrant, pulsating sky blistered with shooting stars, the off-watch woke to commotion on the foredeck. The wind had gone light and the swell had tapered just enough to raise the spinnaker. The sail filled with an urgent pop, the sheet strained and Falken charged down the face of the next wave. By mid-day, we doused the spinnaker and set our minds to the more precise task of safely punching through a gap in the notorious Cortez Bank. The border to Mexico looms ahead.
The California coast
We had a very lively first day of sailing with steady winds between 25 and 30 kn gusting to mid 30s. All of the crew got experience at difficult downwind helming as we covered 200 nautical miles in the first 24 hours. This morning brings winds in the teens and calmer seas. The sun is still shining, and the green monster has been slayed by those afflicted!