RTW Day 246: N. Pacific: DRIFTING IN NO WIND UNTIL LATE AFTERNOON

Overnight speed of around 4 kt, in light WSW winds, dropped to under 2 kt in
even lighter winds by 7 am, soon to vanish as we drifted in a smooth sea
with long rounded swell and slight ripples on the smooth surface. Furled in
genoa with boatspeed of zero for several hours. Felt Neptune had decided to
keep me out here - in centre of Low and likely to remain so for 2 or more
days.

Raincloud ahead close by seemed to give some wind at 5 pm - lowered and
stowed the pole and unfurled both headsails to starboard.  Two grey,
fork-tailed storm petrels circled us.  We made just 1.5 kt in a light NNE
wind - but at least it was in a straight line and the sun shone at times
from the blue patches among the cloud.  Slowly speed increased to over 3 kt,
occasionally nearly 4 kt, and we've made quite a good E - SE course.  Hoping
that will keep us in a fair N to W airflow and avoid being headed by E winds
for the time being.

Weather faxes still showing Low centred over us for next 2 days or more.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 63n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 700n.ml. (087T); Victoria: 758n.ml.

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Rick, VE7TK, Victoria, BC via
Ham Radio for posting