Saturday, June 14, 2025 | Equator - Bring it on!
Apparently, a spy boarded FALKEN, unbeknownst to the several polywogs aboard—heralding our approach to the royal line. Having been duly notified of the impending rite of passage by King Neptune’s herald and prepared for the equatorial approach by our flamboyant navigator, we anxiously prepare gifts of great worth to offer the famed nautical god. Frankly, if Neptune has an accent as odd as the rest of his court, we may not have any idea what’s going on during the encounter.
This landmark (seamark?) experience aside, we continue to enjoy magnificent sailing! The crew is rested, strong, and incredibly well fed, and Falken reaches like a dream. The stars are brilliant and eventually bow to the spotlight of a full moon. As the moon arcs across the night sky, she eventually concedes the labor of lighting our path to the sun in a glorious display as one sets while the other rises.
The skipper, mate, and bosun continue to impart their knowledge to the crew. In fact, last night Mary informed us that no airplanes flew over the Pacific Ocean—only spaceships. I learn something every day ;)
//Orie
Write your comments below and I’ll forward them to the boat with the daily update :) - Mia (shore support)
crew@59-north.com
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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!