0249 UTC | 15° 22.86’S 144° 39.98’W
Sailing
It’s the evening of our fifth day of this passage and Falken is hove-to about 45nm northeast of Kauehi, our target in the Tuamotos. We weren’t quite swift enough to make the 10am slack we need to transit Kauehi’s southern pass today, and need to stall until our window tomorrow morning. A funky low pressure system lingering just south of Tahiti is to blame, and sucked the energy out of the usually reliable easterly trades yesterday.
On the bright side, it has been smooth sailing today—almost too smooth. We’ve been trying (and mostly failing) to slow Falken down all day, putting in extra reefs and heaving to. We even tacked back and forth a few times, retracing her bubbly trail, just to waste some time. Funny, isn’t it, how hard it is to strike sailing perfection. I’ll admit it’s hard to be mad at Falken for being too fast, though.
In any case, no one is too upset about some extra time out here, especially once the sun falls behind the main sail and the cockpit is shaded. Boobies have been circling us all day, perhaps buying time themselves, and the wind has been quite refreshingly on our beam. We’ve been treated to some lovely rain showers and even a rainbow or too (attached photo creds to Amy). Many fun treats have been passed up today too, to include cold papaya that Mary squirted with lime, lychees, Angry Birds branded Pringles, cucumber from a friendly local in Ua Pou, and salt licorice that Mike brought to share. At least twice a day, pomelos make their way up as well, and I for one am surely safe from scurvy given how many I’ve eaten.
It certainly still feels like open ocean out here, despite the presence of the ‘dangerous archipelago’ surrounding us. I’m excited to see a few atolls firsthand, and hopefully (weather dependent) have a chance to explore Kauehi as well. For tonight, I’m content with modified hove-to watch duties, which apart from keeping an attentive eye on the horizon and sails, will likely consist of conversations about dream sandwich combinations or whether mermaids (theoretically speaking, of course) give live birth.
Love to all!
Zoe
Zoe Peach-Riley (Apprentice)
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Among the Channel Islands
In the wind shadow of SoCal we had a restful night with calm conditions ghosting through smooth seas. We’re getting ourselves in position for spicy weather tonight once we round Cape Conception, the seas build and the breeze freshens. It will be an upwind sail into an acceleration zone along a formable coast with few bailout points, Morro Bay being one. The crew is really gelling with lots of smiles and laughter on deck. Monterey is in our sights!
Day Two Delights
The seas were completely glassy with a gentle swell as we approached San Clemente Island, the southernmost of the Channel Islands. Everyone jumped in and marvelled at the lovely temperature and crystal clear, indigo-colored water. Before long the wind started to pick up, and we happily unfurled the jib and were sailing again. The afternoon has been gorgeous, cruising along at 5-6 kts, close hauled on a port tack in a gentle breeze, Catalina Island in the distance on our starboard side, and everyone is happy.
Adios Ensenada!
Around 9am this morning, we slipped lines and made our way out of Todos Los Santos Bay with a pre-arranged escort pod of dolphins. After a few hours of motoring through very calm, very blue, very kelpy seas, we clicked the engine off and off we went. After some delicious frittata and not-new potatoes a-la Adam, we executed our first of many tacks. With only 5-10 kts of wind, our close haul has been nothing but pleasant so far. After a lovely week in Ensenada for me, Alex, and Adam, we’re stoked to finally head out and begin our upwind journey back up the coast.