0210 10º 00.88’S 126º 28.29’W
Sailing
Last night on my 3-6AM watch I saw two shooting stars. The sky has been clear and there isn't much of a moon so the stars have been incredible. I think my favorite part of being out here is the night sailing and the night sky. The pleasant evening temperatures make night sailing even more enjoyable.
We saw our second boat of the entire trip last night, a cat. She left Galapagos the same day we did so she should be days ahead of us. How embarrassing for her. But as we all know the definition of a sailboat race is two boats on the water... 😊
Our skipper Alex was ready to put up the spinnaker this morning. I think we were all excited for a new challenge. We have been sailing wing on wing (donkey ears according to Alex) for days, using the Yankee headsail attached to the spinnaker pole. With everyone on deck Alex directed us and up she went... A HUGE beautiful pink symmetrical spinnaker. It was our watch so each of the three of us had a turn at the helm. With the 2 meters swells and gusts it was fun and challenging. I must admit I was happy Alex hung around to coach us. After a couple of hours we took her down... deciding the swells and gusts were a bit much. A very different experience from flying spinnaker on the small Columbia River boats at home. We will put her up again tomorrow.
I have to say Alex, Mia and Zoe have been wonderful! Positive, calm, great at explaining concepts... and patient!
It is also fun to see how a group of people that started out not knowing each other have settled into a comfortable routine. The good natured joking, the laughter... you would think we have know each other for years.
We are celebrating three digits this evening. A party celebrating the fact we have less than 1000 miles to go. We are supposed to dress up! Who brings fancy clothes on a Sailboat? We alse get a shower. Normally showers are Tuesdays and Fridays but today is Saturday so we get 2 shower days in a row! It is funny how simple pleasures feel like luxuries and are really appreciated.
In the background I hear people taking about the first thing they are going to have when they get off the boat, or when they get home. Many of the wants are centered around a cold beverage with ice, salads, fresh produce... a favorite meal... again simple pleasures.
Not that anyone is ready... Yet... for our adventure to end.
Beven P.
View more passage logs
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!
Farewell by dolphins
We headed out of the marina in Monterey CA at about 10AM in sunny weather to meet winds of ~20kts and 3m smooth swell with long periods. FALKEN is surfing along the coast of California, ship’s time 1PM as I write. As we motored out into the bay, we were wished farewell by a pod of dolphins nearby and a couple of whales in the distance. Though, unfortunately one crew member met the green dragon in the swell.
