Lunchtime swim!
March 23, 2025 | Lunchtime swim!
Another glorious sunset tonight; the Pacific has not failed to deliver on that front at all so far. The steady thrum of the engine and a flogging mainsail suggest what we are lacking—wind! The doldrums seem to have found us earlier than hoped for. Despite that, we have kept entertained, always ready to kill the engine and eke out as much sailing as possible from the occasional localized breezes.
Sextant class was this morning, followed by an extremely welcome lunchtime swim. After a couple of days roasting in the near-equatorial sun, a dip into the cool water meant no one was upset about being woken mid-nap. After bobbing about in 3,000 meters of water, we carried on as the wind filled and we got a few hours of sailing in.
We’ve had no more whales since the incredible orca sighting, but dolphins have visited, and boobies (the birds) are becoming more common. Only masked and brown so far—still looking for the famous blue-footed! A very content little boat as we go into another phosphorescent and star-filled night.
P.S. Hope you have an amazing birthday party, Gran. Sorry I’m not there!
- Mary, FALKEN Skipper
If you are reading this blog, please write some comments in the section below and we’ll send them over to the crew to read. I am sure they will love it.
- Mia & Andy (shore support on Leg 5, Panama to Galapagos)
FALKEN|Skipper&Mate
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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!