Wednesday 3^rd July 2013

HAPPY 4^th of JULY to my US friends!

Gentle sailing overnight at 2.5 kt in WSW wind.  Light was still lingering on NE horizon at 230 am with a crescent moon low in the E and lots of stars overhead – the plough high up, no longer the southern cross as used to be the case.

Mid-morning a thin cloud layer spread across a lovely sunny blue sky which later became broken cloud.

1215 pm (1315 PDT)  A  red Canadian surveillance plane (#951) flew over and around.  I got quite excited and took a photo of it and waved at it.  Was sorry to find the VHF radio was switched off and when I switched on the radio a short while later I heard the plane speaking to a vessel not far away and called it.  I was told they’d taken photos and wanted to post them to my website so I gave them the email address.  Gathered that they had very promptly emailed them and they were equally promptly posted to the website – many thanks to Kim Pearce and Jak Mang for that.

It was quite warm over the day and a storm-petrel was keeping us constant company.  I decided to search for my various flags in the forepeak.  I could not find the code flags which I want to use for dressing the ship overall when I arrive to celebrate my circumnavigation.

Several ships have passed near – all showing up on AIS screen, with alarm beeping if any is set to come too close.  The AIS screen started showing the N end of Vancouver Island in the afternoon – landfall is imminent!

Ran the engine in neutral – to check it was okay, to charge the batteries, to give hot water and to heat the main cabin (a fan heater uses the engine cooling water).

9 pm   Pink sails in the sunset – a dramatic red glow in the west lit up the goose-winged sails.

950 pm  Called Tofino Coast Guard / Marine Traffic Control on HF radio and finally made contact.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 60n.mi. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 261n.mi. (103T); Victoria: 319n.mi.

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

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These photos were taken by a Canadian Government plane (Transport 951) about 275 NM from the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  Apparently they had a nice chat with Jeanne.  Thanks to Kim Pearce and the rest of the crew.

Tuesday 2^nd July 2013

Sunrise before 6 am – clear blue sky above, boat making only 2 kt from midnight on, sea fairly calm.  Spaysail was unfurled for a time but as wind veered from S to SW it was furled away again and, by late morning, genoa was taken over to starboard, goose-winged.

Seal was playing around the stern thought it might be a dolphin until I saw it’s bewhiskered face looking at me as it poked it’s head up out of the water.  Storm-petrel seen – rapid wing beats, and slender wings – seen one several times over last week or so.

Some increased wind gave 4 kt near midday – a few white crests seen on sea surface – but hoped-for stronger wind didn’t materialize and wind soon disappointingly died back again to 5 kt or so.  Bright sunshine all day with just a few clouds and only slight swell.  Fred coped well, keeping us on course for the Strait despite our slow speed downwind.

There’s strong wind on the coast and inshore and the Strait is forecast to have 25 – 35 kt over Wednesday and Thursday but light winds are expected to continue out here – we need to be 200 n.mi. closer in to be able to make a decent speed.  Radio contacts continue to help keep my spirits up – the sunny summer weather is lovely but can’t compensate for our unbelievably slow progress.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 52n.mi. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 320n.mi. (102T); Victoria: 379n.mi.

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

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Monday 1st July 2013      CANADA DAY

11am   Finally gave up trying to sail, furled in flogging headsails and caught up on sleep instead ... Sea glassy smooth, drifting NW even when I managed to get the bow pointed E – SE.  Weather faxes are downloading – so tonight – tomorrow we may get useful NW wind to help us lay our course to the Strait entrance but wind likely to be light.

To say I’ve been constantly feeling frustrated is an understatement!  Seem to have been becalmed so frequently all the way up the Pacific as well as across the Indian Ocean ....

Had a brilliant fast finish last year to my previous circumnavigation – strong W wind gave a great sail along the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Victoria, arriving back there on 1^st August 2012 after 251 sailing days.  I wonder if I’ll be so lucky this time around ....?

9pm   Last sunset colours lingering in NW below grey cloud layer.  Calm, slow, gentle sailing at 2.4 kt in S wind.  The good news from late afternoon, when I spent a lot of time at the helm in SSE wind of 5 kt, finding the settings needed, has been finally managing to lay our course to the Strait entrance.  Victoria is now 420 n.mi. away – if the forecast better wind arrive (NW to NNW at 10 – 15 kt), landfall might be on Friday, but until Wednesday, exact ETA is still in doubt. I’ll have had a final delay of 2 weeks due to recent unfavourable or light winds – UNBELIEVABLE!

Had two enjoyable extended radio chat sessions today – on 20m this afternoon, after an unusually short email session, and on 40m this evening.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 32n.mi. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 373n.mi. (101T); Victoria: 431n.mi.

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

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Sunday 30th June 2013

Greetings to my Canadian friends ready for 1^st July – HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Nearing sunrise at 430 am, oyster-pink-grey clouds ahead and in the NE. Boat was drifting NW in almost no wind so had to get us back on course in S – SSE winds.  Boat speed only 1.5 kt or less, so difficult to keep a good heading.  Overnight fog cleared away to leave a grey sky with showers in the distance, seas from SSE at 1.5 metres.  By 530 am sails were trimmed for beam reach and Fred was keeping us on course – 475 n.ml. to Victoria 415 n.ml. on course 096T to Strait entrance.  Breaks in clouds – moon seen above and blue streaks of sky ahead with hint of sunshine.

1pm   Lovely gentle sailing in bright sun and slight swells.  Wind light and swinging about, but has slowly backed, so now close-hauled again and no longer able to lay course to Juan de Fuca Strait – C’est la vie! ETA slipped yet again – but very enjoyable calm day. In middle of “A Voyage for Madmen” – fascinating read.  Amazing how unprepared or badly prepared so many of them were.  Makes me appreciate how good it’s been to have had regular emails and ham radio contacts on my way around.

This evening chopped up fresh onion sprouts and added to a Chinese meal of prawns with bean sprouts and bamboo shoots in black bean sauce. (Trying to use up cans of food on board – especially any rusty-looking ones!)  Still sailing gently in calm seas under blue sky – very pleasant though not getting very far at under 3.5 kt ENE, in light SSE wind.

Nice to have several sociable radio chats over the day.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 61n.mi. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 395n.mi. (097T); Victoria: 454n.mi.

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

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Saturday 29th June 2013

630 am    Wind slowly backed from ESE to NE by E overnight, so tacked around again from 010T to 170T – from almost N to almost S – no wonder we’re not getting far E!  Speed 3 kt, dull overcast slight drizzle.

Sun got out for a very short while early in the morning, but rest of day was grey misty and rainy – heater was on a lot, keeping cabin warm.

Put some black eye beans in to soak, really thick soup tomorrow – I’m enjoying regular hot cups of soup now in the rather cold conditions.

Weather faxes showing winds still from ahead today but possibly better in 2 – 3 days time, with slow progress in light variable wind in the meantime.

Course E by S (170T) maintained for a time with a speed of 3.6 kt.  By 2 pm, was able to tack onto E by N (073T) making 4.6 kt – better speed and course as wind veered from E by N to SE.

3pm    Usual radio sked with email team comprising Tom (in Texas) with Jim and Rick on NE US coast.  Good signals from Tom and combination of radio and Skype used for rest of team.

Conditions on board bumpy – close-hauled in 10 kt of wind – we’re healed over and pounding into choppy seas.  Speed of around 4.6 kt being maintained.

830 pm   Getting dark and fog seems to be closing in.  “Posleader” seen drifting just 3 miles to N.  Thought maybe it was fishing but it’s a cargo vessel.  Contacted them on VHF radio – they’ll keep an eye on us but we should manage to stay well clear.  After telling them we were a sailing boat with no engine they kindly came back to ask if any help was needed but I assured them all was well ....

1030 pm   About to get some sleep when noticed we’d changed course in veered wind – now making 085T which is closer to course needed for Juan de Fuca Strait and speed better at 4.9 kt, although later back down to about 4 kt.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 35n.mi.(Low due to several long tacks made in E wind. Actual distance covered was well over 76 n.mi.) Strait of Juan de Fuca: 423n.mi. (093T); Victoria: 511n.mi.

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

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Friday 28th June 2013

930 am   Breakfast in between radio sessions at 8 am (relaying yesterday’s blog report) and 10 am (sked with 2 – 3 other boats) – followed by download of several weather faxes from 10:30 until past midday.  Beginning “A Voyage for Mad Men” about first round the world single-handed race – “Golden Globe” in 1968.

Making just over 4 kt and slowly being set further north of planned course as light wind backs from SE to ESE.  Under 500 n.ml. to Juan de Fuca Strait but unable to lay the direct course.

Overcast sky is bright enough for solar panels to input 6 – 7A.  Seas are well down – smooth sailing – gently rocking.

1130 am   In present calm conditions have tackled an unpleasant job I’ve been avoiding – dealing with last of old (sprouting) onions. Brighter now – hint of sun through overcast.

1 pm   Finally finished with onions.  Course N by E speed 3.5 kt – time to change tack ...?

140 pm   NO!  Gybed around ... best we could do was SSW, speed 1.3 kt.  Gybed back onto starboard tack:  NE by E speed 4.2 kt – definitely better!

Gave cargo vessel “African Swan” a shock when on port tack – we were suddenly on collision course with 60 minutes to collision.  They’re headed W to Lanshan (China?).

Time for lunch – hot mug of soup followed by Danish Blue cheese on crackers while I look over weather faxes and read a bit.

245 pm   Course N by W (speed 2 kt)! Gybed again!  By 3 pm: Course S by E speed 2 kt.

6 pm   Had to tack yet again – was heading S by W at 3 kt ... now heading NE at 4 kt.  Damp, misty, drizzling as light fades slowly.

Weather faxes are giving SSE – SE over Saturday and Sunday (headwinds) and showing Low dissipated by Tuesday leaving variable light winds ... So several more difficult days ahead.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 101n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 487n.ml. (092T); Victoria: 545n.ml.

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

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Thursday 27th June 2013

11 AM    Lovely to be sailing well at last!  We've made 4 – 5 kt, sometimes up to 6 kt.  Wind came up around 9 am, after we’d been drifting around all night, with head sails furled away.  Pressure up at 1005 hPa (997 hPa yesterday).  Bright overcast – solar panels putting in around 7A. Downloading weather faxes.  Heater on – feels nice and warm in the cabin (sea temperatures 14C).

Decided to look at “weather centre” – found corrosion on battery ends and negative terminals, so got busy cleaning to bright metal.  With new batteries, it’s now working fine.

930 pm   600 n.ml. from Victoria!  We've made excellent speed in continuing good SSE winds – 6 – 7 kt for several hours this afternoon in bright sunshine, which later gave way to rain.  Very close hauled now in slightly backed wind, so speed down to 5 kt – result of trying not to be set too far north of course to Juan de Fuca Strait.

Weather forecast is looking good for next 2 or 3 days, but possibility of difficult approach to the strait as we get closer.

10 pm   Wind seems to be dying .... speed under 4 kt.

11 pm   Unfurled all genoa – speed was under 3 kt.  Now making 4.5 kt in light SE wind, course 070T.  Clear starry skies, moon rising, layer of cloud on N horizon.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 45n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 580n.ml. (086T); Victoria: 639n.ml.

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

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Wednesday 26th June 2013

Continuing to have to keep a constant eye on our COG (course) in very light wind.

Not much sleep overnight, very tiring, sitting at the chart table using autopilot just long enough  to turn the wheel occasionally to bring us back onto a SE course as we drift in SW wind of under 5 kt.  Sea surface is glassy smooth with slight ripples and a long SW swell.  Useful having boat’s track and current course (COG) showing on the chart plotter display.  With so little wind, there’s almost no steerage, so it’s taking a lot of time and effort to keep us on track – and all at well under 2 kt, often under 1 kt.

Plan has been to keep heading SE, both to stay in SW airflow below present centre of the Low that we’re in the middle of and also to be ready for expected S – SSE airflow – Low is forecast to move slightly W of us over the next few days.

Sun was beginning to get through clouds nicely mid-morning, but there was total light overcast by early afternoon, becoming grey clouds with light rain later.

3 pm saw the start of a lengthy radio email session, followed by several further contacts.

10 pm     Unbelievably found shackle-pin lying on side-deck.  Had just lowered pole prior to stowing it.  Soon discovered that the uphaul line attaching the mast car to the inboard end of the pole had come loose.  The shackle there had become undone and was presumably missing.  It was a bit of a struggle to stow the pole on the mast without the line there to pull it up but I finally managed it.  Took the headsails over to starboard with the change of wind direction, but the wind died and the sails were flapping, so finally had to furl in both headsails – we’re presently drifting W (backwards!) at 0.1 kt ....

We continued to drift overnight in no wind.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 26n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 625n.ml. (085T); Victoria: 684n.ml.

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

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Tuesday 25th June 2013 – New time zone: GMT – 9 (Crossed 142:30 W Yesterday)

Wind slowly backed overnight:  NNE – N at 230 am, NNW by 9 am. We were making 2 kt SE but I had to raise the pole to port for the genoa by 945 am to go goose-winged.

Cloud gradually dispersed overhead – lovely sunshine and blue sky all afternoon but band of dark grey cloud on W horizon.  Calm sea with long, slow, 2.5m W swell coming from a deep Low a long way off.

Having to keep a constant eye on our course – pole has been up and down and genoa has been poled out on both sides and taken off the pole at various times over the day, as light to non-existent winds have swung around. Just managing to keep us headed E – SE, although a speed of only 1 kt makes it difficult.  Present Low is stationary over us and forecast to stay that way for next 3 – 4 days ..... GRRR!

Dug around in the forepeak and found last few packets of cereal and Brazil nuts – more than enough.

With so much time on deck, very little reading today but thoroughly enjoying “The Riddle in the Sands” when I get to it (Thanks Richard and Claire of ‘Phalarope’!)  Have sailed through Frisians en route from Heligoland to the Netherlands and reached Nordeney on my birthday to find their annual bierfest in full swing – Happy coincidence!

Midnight – cheerful contact with Taupo maritime radio in New Zealand.

I’m resigned to a July ETA. Much as I’d hoped to arrive before 1st July (Canada Day), realistically present weather is preventing that – unbelievably so!

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 61n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 647n.ml. (086T); Victoria: 706n.ml.

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

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Monday 24th June 2013

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Sunday 23nd June 2013

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Saturday 22nd June 2013

Beautiful sunrise as NE horizon fills with colour below thin cloud layer from 3AM onwards.  Sat in cockpit enjoying it before getting to my bunk.

All changed by 8AM – Grey and rainy with winds up and veered to just E of S – furled in some genoa to reduce heel.  Later genoa furled in a lot more as wind and seas increased.  It became very uncomfortable – was thrown out chart table seat a second time as we pounded close-hauled into rough seas.

Speed was good over the day, at around 6.5 kt until dusk, around 7:30PM, when winds suddenly dropped.  By midnight, the wind was abaft the beam and we were making just 3.5 kt in a light SW wind.

Weather faxes show high pressure and light SSW wind ahead, with center of a low probably passing overhead on Monday with consequent cloking of light winds, so difficult conditions ahead!

Good email sessions with Tom, N5TW, on 17 meters early this afternoon – avoided “Field Day” pileups on 15 and 20 meters.  Just as well, since failed to make contact later, at usual time just after midnight.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 134n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 873n.ml. (086T); Victoria: 932n.ml.

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Tom, N5TW, Georgetown, TX via Ham Radio for posting.

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Wednesday and Thursday 19-20th June 2013

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From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Jim, WB2REM, Lawrenceville, NJ via Ham Radio for posting.

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Sunday 16th June 2013

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From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL via Ham Radio for posting.

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Friday 14th of June 2013

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