If you would like to subscribe to my RSS feed, you can click here

S/V Nereida sails around the world

RTW Day 235: N. Pacific: Good Speed this Morning - Around 7kt for a Time

  • By Mike , on 14 June 2013 08:43
Thursday 13th of June 2013

Time Zone is GMT -11 hrs  - Change of Clock at 165W

7:30am    Adjusting course as weather faxes download. A Laysan albatross lazily quarters the sea near by on fixed winds - never a single windbeat as it glides close to ruffled surface, sometimes disappearing momentarily, hidden by the slight swell.

Had breakfast mango juice spill all over cabin sole in the galley. Sails were backed due to my forgetting to lash the wheel after coming off the auto pilot and putting Fred back in charge.  We heeled the other way...  Stove is no longer gimballed... Big clean-up needed!

Total overcast all day with fine drizzle by nightfall - everything wet.  Hot soup was welcome again!

Wind veered slowly, becoming SE by evening.  Speed was 6-7kt mid-morning, but by mid-afternoon and evening, back down to 5kt or less.

Pressure display disappeared, to join temperature and humidity display - so no electronics weather data available now.  Aneroid barometer not giving sensible reading either.

A pleasant sail today, in smoother seas - was good to see a descent speed for a while and a correspondingly good 24hr DMG 127n.ml.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 127n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 1834n.ml. (056T); Midway Island: 860n.ml. (233T);  San Francisco 1965n.ml (077T)

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 234: N. Pacific : Good East Wind - We Head N at Last

  • By Mike , on 13 June 2013 07:47
Wednesday 12th of June

Glimpses of the sun - briefly this morning and at sunset tonight. Light cloud cover with hint of sun over the rest of the day. Present close-hauled sailing, making a good course northward in E wind of around 10kt in fairly calm seas since tacking onto starboard last night.

Soon after nightfall, had to come off the wind a touch to keep on course, as the wind veered to ESE.  It's likely to veer more overnight, so I'll probably have to check on our course and adjust Fred quite often.

Weatherfaxes show wind veering to SE and then to S over the next few days.

A lovely sunset - light lingered in W sky for a long time - sign that we are in higher latitudes, well away from Tropics.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 89n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 1933n.ml. (054T); Midway Island: 762n.ml. (238T);  San Francisco 2030n.ml (073T)

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 233: N. Pacific : NNE Winds... Frontal System Preventing Passage N For Most of the Day

  • By Mike , on 12 June 2013 07:09
Tuesday 11th of June

I'm running out of pens - on my very last one!

820am     Just finished usual 1940Z radio sked with three other boats in N. Pacific, at end of weatherfax download. For the last three hours, we've been making an ENE course at 4-5kt. I am hoping wind might back more to enable us to head NE, and maybe NNE finally, as that's our planned course... (later: not happening)!

11am    Sun trying to shine through thin cloud layer but not managing it. Still pounding close-hauled into short seas from N - often washing over the deck. Had a two hour nap, catching up on sleep, then a late breakfast.

8pm    Seas have slowly died down with NNE 10kt wind, or less.  Unfurled full genoa finally, so our speed got up to 4-5kt, but later often down to under 4kt. Was concerned on seeing SOG 13kt on display - impossible! Had to be a GPS 'glitch' since course shown on plotter jump about like mad also. Settled back down to sensible readings/display after 15 minutes.

No rain all day. Course has been 120T for quite a time - wind must be from NE so seems we'll have to change onto starboard tack soon - big decision since it assumes wind will keep on veering.  Dark now, but will 'bite the bullet' and see how we make out.... Need to get N, not S!

10:30pm     Course is now just W of N (350T) and speed is 4-4.5kt - so looking good.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 93n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 1984n.ml. (053T); Midway Island: 714n.ml. (241T);  San Francisco 2068n.ml (072T)

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 232: N. Pacific: Cold, Rainy, Wet

  • By Mike , on 11 June 2013 08:08
Monday 10th of June 

100% grey overcast all day long with rain from 9am onward. Went on deck and got dowsed by a wave - got wet hair and had to change tops. On a top which was new a few months ago the zipper was completely stuck - usual story with aluminium zipper corroded with sea salt - took half an hour to free.

The wind and seas increased so furled in some genoa - so got very wet. Cabin drying line being well used by wet foul weather gear.
We're very close-hauled to make a course due E in a N wind - so speed down, especially in the bigger seas this morning when the wind was up. Later was able to unfurl genoa to get more speed but had to balance speed with heel and course.  I'm trying not to head S of E but sometimes it's unavoidable, although so far has only been for short periods.
It feels cold - put cabin heater on to help dry wet foulies - pleased to find heater came on without a problem - not being used since the Southern Ocean.  Hot soup has been welcome.  Still in Frontal weather system - another day at least. Seas still up at nightfall but rain lighter. Making slow progress.

Saw two ships on A.I.S - one came within 5 miles and the other within 3 miles. Both ships passed S of us one heading to Australia the other to China.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 60n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2064n.ml. (053T); Midway Island: 630n.ml. (236T);  San Francisco 2159n.ml (071T)

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 231: N. Pacific: Fog as Night Falls, After a Day of Drifting in No Wind, Trapped in Frontal

  • By Mike , on 10 June 2013 07:37
Sunday 9th of June         I hope everyone in Australia enjoyed the Queen's Birthday holiday weekend in Australia

The wind died around 2am and overnight, and into mid-morning, there was frequent, often heavy, rain. Coming back down to the chart-table in wet gear, I've had to replace the vinyl covers on the cushion and back rest, removed during passage through the heat of the Tropics.

At 6am there was a particularly heavy downpour after which the sails were backed by a sudden wind shift from E to N. I'd just finished shaking out a reef left in overnight and we then had gybe onto port tack but soon gybed back onto starboard in the fickle wind - a process repeated several more times over the day in an effort to keep heading N or E. In fact, we've been mostly drifting around all day at about 0.3kt in all directions except due W in the variable light conditions under a cloudy sky. The sea became glassy-smooth with tiny ripples, a slight swell and a fog bank lurking all around in the distance by 3pm. Mid-morning, had pleasant radio contact on 15m (on 21280kHz) with Bruny Island (Tasmania). I was later amused to come across a big 'pile-up' of people trying to contact Mark, VI6AJ - a "Queen's Birthday Special" call-sign in Australia.

At 6pm, finished an unexpectedly long sked on 20m (14290kHz) with a lot of friendly well wishers. Then came on deck and was surprised to find us sailing E in a gentle N wind (but with fog close by). If we can keep this up, maybe we can escape the Frontal system that's been dogging us and hampering our progress over the last few days - fingers crossed!

A Laysan albatross has been seen several times again today and Black-footed albatross suddenly took off from the sea nearby where it had been resting just before nightfall.  The paler area at the base of its bill was very noticeable, contrasting with its dark plumage.

I decided, being Sunday, to have 'roast lamb' dinner with mash and peas (freezed dried but tasty!) and followed it with peaches and cream which I thoroughly enjoyed.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 90n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2112n.ml. (053T); Midway Island: 582n.ml. (232T);  San Francisco 2216n.ml (071T)

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 230: N. Pacific: Much Better Course and Speed, in Calmer but Rainy Conditions

  • By Mike , on 09 June 2013 06:48
Saturday 8th of June

6pm   Rain! ... on through the night. Clouds had become increasingly grey over the afternoon, after the sun had tried to struggle through this morning without success, although the air definitely felt warmer. Using my sleeping bag again - it's feeling a lot cooler especially overnight.

Seas 2m, so have calmed down a bit, with wind being far lighter than yesterday, but are still close - every 4-5 seconds - so we're still getting knocked about occasionally.

With the wind direction today being mainly E, our course has been good - NNE - and by late afternoon, in the calmer seas, we were making around 5.5kt, occasionally 6.0kt - nice to see!

I'd finished Dana's "Two Years Before The Mast" yesterday while taking refuge in my bunk, and today started on Moitessier's last book...they're quite different.

Had several radio contacts from midday on - several hams are keen to make use of my grid position out here.

Needed to catch up on sleep over the morning, after getting up early for the usual batch of weatherfax download. Winds are looking good over the next few days - possibly from SE by Monday.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 105n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2184n.ml. (052T); Midway Island: 512n.ml. (238T);  San Francisco 2268n.ml (069T)

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 229: N. Pacific: Strong Wind, Rough Seas, Grey and Rainy

  • By Mike , on 08 June 2013 07:38
Friday 7th of June

A grey rainy day of strong wind of 30kt or more and rough seas, over 3m, only 4-5 seconds apart. We were sailing close-hauled often dropping into the troughs after mounting the wave crest. Not the most comfortable of days being heeled and pounded by the seas all the time, despite taking the third reef in the mainsail early this morning. The genoa was reduced to a scrap several times when the wind was at its strongest.

The wind was from NE-ENE and so our course, initially NNW, became N over much of the day, at 4-5kt. Cloud layer became broken in the W at sunset.

By 9pm, the wind had dropped a lot and the seas were lying down also, so increased genoa to give a boat speed of 5.0kt rather than 3.5kt.

A Laysan albatross kept us company all day, enjoying the strong wind and rough seas.

It was coldest enough for me to need my fleeces once more, to keep warm.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 66n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2258n.ml. (050T); Midway Island: 456n.ml. (248T);  San Francisco 2315n.ml (067T)

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 228: N. Pacific: One Painfully Slow Day Followed By a Stormy One

  • By Mike , on 08 June 2013 07:33
Thursday 6th June 2013
Yet another painfully slow day - nightfall brought a cold front.
2:30pm  Been relaxing in the cockpit with coffee and music, enjoying the peaceful sailing condtions. All done as an antidote to the feelings of frustration earlier at the thought of my ETA slipping with yet another day of pathetically slow speed (under 3.0kt) and E-ENE course rather than preferred NE. So long as I don't dwell on our speed, today's date and our "miles to finish", I am OK. Have to insert some extra pages into logbook which is nearing its end.

We're sailing just S of edge of cloud layer showing  position of cold front which I am trying avoid.

8pm Sunset - and dark grey cloud rolled over, bringing cold front and cold rainy NE wind - total change in conditions from warm and sunny SW wind.

I found us heading SE. Took a time to sort things out including getting down the pole in a hurry so we could tack the genoa and staysail. Furled in the genoa while sorting things out. Ended up on 330T at 4kt better than heading 120T! Hoping wind will veer more to the E overnight so we head more N. Bumpy as we head into waves.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 88n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2304n.ml. (049T); Midway Island: 431n.ml. (256T);  San Francisco 2346n.ml (066T)

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 227: N. Pacific: Glorious Day of Easy Sailing - But Wind Slowly Died

  • By Mike , on 06 June 2013 07:58
Wednesday 5th June 2013
6am  Broken, grey overcast and damp air. Weather faxes being downloaded.

By 11am, gloriously sunny blue sky with hardly a cloud in sight and good SW wind hitting 4-5kt, heading E on a beam reach. Overnight, the genoa had been taken off the pole and brought over to port and now the staysail was unfurled. We've maximum canvas out but speed is constantly being handicapped by lack of full mainsail.

It's been another day of relaxed, easy sailing in 1-1.5m following seas. From midday on, the wind slowly died back, so that by sunset, at 6:30pm, we were making under 3kt (in decidedly cooler air). Bank of grey cloud low down in the W past sunset.

This morning, a Blacked-footed albatross flew past and a Laysan albatross was seen in the distance.

At 6:15am, now have a regular sked with some other boats.  Had several new radio contacts on 15m and 20m, spent some time reading in the cockpit and kept an eye on weather fax timings. Forecast and current isobaric charts are confirming that keeping just below 30N and heading E have been good moves to keep fair wind, in view of a small Low just to our N. This Low is expected to dissipate and become a trough by tomorrow midday, so we can now begin to head ENE slowly becoming NNE by Friday, when the wind is expected to be from E.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 114n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2381n.ml. (049T); Midway Island: 343n.ml. (254T);  San Francisco 2432n.ml (066T)

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 226: N. Pacific: Rolling About - Good Downwind Sailing

  • By Mike , on 05 June 2013 07:42
Tuesday 4th June 2013
4:30am   A shipped passed close by soon after dawn - the 'Ermoupolis' W-bound for Japan. Passed a half mile ahead after VHF radio contact. AIS alarm had alerted me to its presence when one hour away.

11am    Wind SSW. Boat speed is over 6.0kt now from 3.5kt at dawn with increased wind. Rolling a lot in following seas, with plenty of white horses showing wind strength is F4-5 (15-18kt). Nice to be sailing well for a change, despite strong motion at times. Course is now 060T - S of planned course - weather faxes show probable headwinds if we're too far N in 2 days' time, so we're heading more E.

Early afternoon - Long session with Jim, WB2REM dealing emails and log report. He's spending a lot of time very kindly helping me each day on 15m (and on 20m later).

9:30pm   Made a beef, spinach and onion curry, with mango and lime pickles on the side - a nice change and enough for tomorrow as well.  Soon sailing well downwind.

Sunset was 6:30pm after a warm sunny day with partial thin cloud cover. Making ENE course in SSW wind and sea.  Had several sociable radio contacts over the day.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 67n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2483n.ml. (089T); Midway Island: 227n.ml. (253T);  San Francisco 2544n.ml (065T)

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 225: N. Pacific: Another Bright But Slow Slow Day- Wind finally Veered to the SE

  • By Mike , on 04 June 2013 07:19
Monday 3rd June 2013

Speed: 0.8 kt., CSC 018T, Cloud 10%, Bar 1020

7am   After being forced onto NW course yesterday, due to the NE wind, I was pleased to see the wind finally veering … which it continued to do slowly over the morning. By 0930 winds were SE, later becoming SSE for a time. It has continued to be very light, so our speed has been 1.5-2.0 kt. again, giving a distance of only 38 miles in 24 hours. 
In order to keep the big genoa filled and to prevent it from continually collapsing while we drifted downwind, I spent a time raising the pole and polling out the genoa to starboard so we've been goose-winged from 2pm with the main sail well out to port. A pair of Laysan albatross flew by from time to time to check on my progress.  Of course, every time one of them was really close, my camera was not within reach!

Spent quite a lot of time on the foredeck and in the cockpit trimming the sails as the wind changed, so radio contacts were minimal, but had a long chat with Rob ZL1KY in New Zealand on 15m.

This evening, the winds had backed to the SE and we’re crawling along NE at 2.2 kt. On checking over a set of weather FAX downloads, I was dismayed to find a lot of grey and no sensible print-out - I've had the generator running and clearly it had interfered on frequency… grrr!!!

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 38n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2547n.ml. (048T); Midway Island: 170n.ml. (259T);  San Francisco 2607n.ml (064T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Copied by Don, N7BD, Branson, Mo -  Relayed to Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL for posting. (Note: Weak radio conditions today so some future modifications to the wording of the blog maybe needed).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 224: N. Pacific: Another Slow Sunny Day... AP Stopped Working But Problem Soon Fixed

  • By Mike , on 03 June 2013 07:08
Sunday 2nd June 2013
10:45am   Had very light contact on 10m (28540kHz) from Mike N7RY. Lovely calm, bright morning: - determined to relax and enjoy it, although only making 2-3kt, N-NW in very light wind.  Sitting reading in cockpit with fresh coffee and camera to hand, hoping to get a shot of the albatross often near by - mainly Laysan with the occasional, quite different, Black-footed - all dark with white band at base of tail ( See Photo Courtesy of: http://teacheratsea.wordpress.com ).

black-footed
2:30pm   Almost no wind - have been drifting W with backed sails at 0.9kt for 2-3 hours. After chatting for a time to several contacts on radio (15m), decided to try to head N again and turn on autopilot (AP) - but wheel was NOT turning.... AP was trying to steer but nothing was happening. So...down to aft cabin to try to sort out the problem, leaving Fred in charge in the meantime - making 1.3kt NW at present.

6:30pm    Sun just set below the horizon as an albatross passed by. Second autopilot motor and ram is now connected up - all working OK but back on wind steering. Actually saw a boat speed of 3.9kt just before sunset but presently making only 2.5kt.  Course keeps varying between N and NW. Problem with AP would seemed to have been caused by a lack of hydraulic fluid - a good amount has leaked out from the pipe connections to and from the motor and the level in the reservoir is way down so it's possible air is now in the system.

Had double portion of lamb fettucine - was famished, so very welcome!
Hoping weather faxes are giving correct forecast so the expected veering of stronger wind takes place by tomorrow. Has been slow going today.

Was delighted to get a call around 5pm on 20m from the flight deck of an American Airlines plane over central Colorado en route to San Diego: Kriss, KA1GJU/AM.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 98n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2571n.ml. (048T); Midway Island: 268n.ml. (272T); Cabo San Lucas 3452n.ml; San Francisco 2622n.ml

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Copied by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 223: N. Pacific: Difficult Overnight Passage Through Hawaiian Archipelago in Very Light Wind

  • By Mike , on 02 June 2013 08:32
Saturday 1st June 2013

Midday   Feels good to see Lisianski Island and the seamount to its W astern of us! Lisianski was due E at 11:30pm in no wind. Lost a lot of sleep last night trying to keep the boat headed N in little or no wind with boat speed of 1-2 kt for a long period of time. Lost steerage and drifted in circles quite often. This morning's weather faxes indicate present ENE wind will continue into tomorrow but will then veer to SE by midnight and to SW over Monday, so I am hoping to be heading NE in stronger winds after this weekend.

It's a bright sunny day with few clouds and a fairly calm sea, with a gentle 5-second swell from the E. Had breakfast in the cockpit and it's calm enough for me to deal with the remaining not-so-fresh fruit and veg (almost all dried or moldy). Laysan Albatross (See Photo) is gliding around in the distance. Our red-footed hotel guest left well after dawn, having slept with its long-necked head tucked under its wing, making it look headless!

Evening    Wind veered earlier and we made course of  011T at 3.5kt - time for a party in bright sun but increasing cloud to celebrate escaping to N of Hawaiian Archipelago. Our course would keep us well E of Pearland Herms Atoll (to ESE of Midway) so we're now clear of all danger.

Opened bottle of bubbly chilled in small portable 12v cool-box and enjoyed music and sea view from cockpit. White-tailed tropic bird seen overhead. Before relaxing, took long mop and water and cleaned solar panel. Boobies had covered it with their 'guano' ! Wind had veered more - we're now making over 5kt on 015T.

laysanalbatross

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 70n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2646n.ml.; Midway Island: 188n.ml. (304T); Kauai: 842n.ml. (105T); Cabo San Lucas 3483n.ml; San Francisco 2677n.ml

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Copied by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 222: N. Pacific: Albatrosses, Terns and Boobies, as We Get Close to Lisianski Island

  • By Mike , on 01 June 2013 07:56
Friday 31st May 2013
Had a nice meal last night to celebrate crossing the Tropic of Cancer.

This has been a very slow but pleasant day, full of birdlife under sunny skies with a lengthy, very sociable radio session on 15m from 0030Z onward.

Overnight, three boobies roosted on the stern arch - one red footed (see photo), one all-brown immature and one all-black(including a black breast), except for white under body, light bill and pale green-yellow feet (brown booby?). Surprisingly, with 'lively' seas, they managed not only to hold on (two on solar panels and third on aerial platform) but they also got back after losing their grip later, despite the dark, moonless sky.

Coming up into the cockpit early this morning, I found the immature booby perched on a starboard wench - it didn't seem much bothered as I checked things over and eventually flew off after I'd got some close-up photos.

I've been bird-watching a lot, after cutting the toes off a worn-out sock to place as protection over my left fore-arm which has become photo-sensitive. The skin got damaged when I serviced the main port wench in bright sunshine recently and now reacts very badly to sunlight. (I'm taking a mild course of antibiotics which has definitely helped.)
Frequent sightings of Albatross today: 2-3 Laysan and 1 Black-footed - all dark with white at the base of tail and bill. Every so often, 2-4 terns have flown by noisily and boobies have been seen regularly. One red-footed booby is again roosting overnight on a solar panel.

booby

We're are slowly passing Lisianski tonight and should be clear of it by the morning. Light wind is likely to continue for the next day or two while we get N of Midway Island.

(Lisianski Island is named after Yuri Feodorvich Lisyansky, an officer in the Imperial Russian Navy. Lisianski was the commanding officer of the sloop-of-war, Neva, an exploratory ship which ran aground on the island in 1805. Neva is the name of the dangerous shoal SE of the island.)

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 82n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2681n.ml.; Midway Island: 244n.ml. (315T); Kauai: 810n.ml. (101T); Waypoint W of Lisianski Island 44n.ml (346T); Cabo San Lucas 3480n.ml; San Francisco 2695n.ml

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Copied by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:

RTW Day 221: N. Pacific: Albatross Near By... and Hotel Nereida Has Guests Again

  • By Mike , on 31 May 2013 07:59
Thursday 30th May 2013

1348GMT - Crossed the Tropic of Cancer at 173:23 W - out of the tropics with speed down at 2.5kt, but on course.

Early morning, under grey cloud, sails were backed in light NE winds. Set Fred to keep the sails very close-hauled, since the wind was highly variable ENE-NE, and that worked well until 11am, with speed mostly around 4.5kt. Then came another larger area of rain cloud ahead of a Cold Front and we several times sailed or drifted W in almost no wind - impossible to stay on course and we lost ground. Finally, after sunset, in company with three boobies roosting on the stern arch, we managed to stay on course albeit at only 2-3kt into the night.

This morning, got the message "chart not available" five times over, so downloaded several weather faxes this evening. Felt slightly reassured by them - there is a hint of ENE wind for 2 or 3 days so we may succeed in passing safely through the reef area ahead by late Saturday. I can't wait to get that extensive hazardous area behind me.  I just hope the wind keeps up and doesn't die again as we're passing through.

I was delighted to see Laysan Albatross fly past this morning and one was around again for some time near sunset. Hoping to see a Waved Albatross, present in large numbers on Midway Island.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 100n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2718n.ml.; Midway Island: 320n.ml. (322T); Kauai: 776n.ml. (096T); Waypoint W of Lisianski Island 127n.ml

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Copied by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:

RTW Day 220: N. Pacific: Will be Crossing the Tropic of Cancer Soon After Midnight

  • By Mike , on 30 May 2013 07:36
Wednesday 29th May 2013

Last night speed dropped to just under 4kt and and the same is happening tonight at times.

6:30am - Up for weather fax download. Unfurled full genoa and speed increased to 4.2kt in ENE wind with sun shining through light broken cloud layer.

By mid-morning, sailing at 5.3kt in good conditions. Angled solar panels for midday sun - input went from 7A to 14A.
Thoroughly enjoying reading Dana's "Two Years Before The Mast" - very interesting, especially since it talks about places I've sailed to in California as well as rounding Cape Horn.

Had some good radio contacts today. Monitored 10m (28540 kHz) from 2230Z and then 15m (21280 kHz) from 0000Z. 10m didn't seem to work too well but had several contacts on 15m in early afternoon - Japan, Jamaica, Australia as well as the usual USA stations plus others.

Speed down by mid-afternoon and on into the night. Doubt we'll have decent wind until we're further N. Should we passage through reef on Friday, 200n.ml. to go - if we're not becalmed before then!

Managed to see all three planets after sunset, but clouds on horizon hid atleast one each time. They appeared to be in almost a vertical line with Venus central and Mercury and Jupiter above and below.

Saw a frigate bird high up yesterday - very distinctive, unmistakeable outline. Hoping to see some Pacific Albatross soon - they breed on small islands in the atolls ahead as well as in places on the Hawaiian Islands.

A friend just sent the following links from Latitude 38 & Sail-World.com which might be of interest:

http://www.sail-world.com/cruising/usa/Incredible-Jeanne-crosses-equator---one-more-leg-to-victory/109684

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 116n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2765n.ml.; Midway Island: 415n.ml. (327T); Kauai: 737n.ml. (089T); Hawaii: 965n.ml (097T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Copied by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:

RTW Day 219: N. Pacific: Running Backstay Comes Loose

  • By Mike , on 29 May 2013 08:01
Tuesday 28th May 2013

Started the 6:30am download of satellite photo and weather faxes. Went on deck to adjust course and trim sails - heard an odd sound ... saw running backstay had come loose. Turned out that the shackle holding the block to the metal eye at the end of the stay was broken. Found a similar strong shackle in my spares and replaced it so the backstay was put back in place and tensioned - necessary, since we will be on starboard tack a lot on the way N. It's been a bright day but with lots of cloud and seas quite high. Morning speed was good at 6.4kt. Winds E15kt, abating a little this afternoon - spent quite a time 'tweaking' to maximize speed and course as the wind lessened.

On studying weather faxes, saw the wind over the next few days is set to turn to NE - bad news, since it means best course will be NNW-NW as we pass through the Hawaiian Island chain. Spent some time checking on possible course and looking on the plotter.This evening finally decided
needed to change the waypoint being headed to for one further W with lots of clear water to W and N for manoeuvring as we pass through the channel.

So we're now heading on 344T to a point W of Lisianski Island - under autopilot to maintain accurate course overnight as the wind backs possibly. Having freed off the wind, seas speed went up to 5.5kt from 4.0kt.

Too much cloud in W at sunset again to see planets low down.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 155n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2837n.ml.; Midway Island: 523n.ml. (332T); Kauai: 738n.ml. (081T); Hawaii: 740n.ml (090T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Copied by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:

RTW Day 218: N. Pacific: Excellent Speed in E Wind, But Choppy Seas

  • By Mike , on 28 May 2013 08:05
Monday 27th May 2013

Constantly keeping an eye on COG (course) and SOG (speed) to optimize both by 'tweaking' - adjusting Fred and/or trimming sails and furling in/out genoa, depending on heel and condition.

Trying to keep heading N, although happy to make some more Easting in case winds force us NNW as we close on Hawaiian Islands' chain reefs and atolls - E.T.A. Thursday, if present speed of 6.5-7kt is maintained. Have noted several safe passages through. Present E wind is very welcome (as oppose to ENE), since this means that, although still close - reaching, we're more off the wind, giving good speed, and banging less into the 2m sea so a smoother ride.

Quite cloudy this afternoon, after bright morning of boisterous sailing in the bigger seas. Tonight, starry overhead, with only a little cloud ahead and in the W.  Big grey clouds at sunset prevented any sighting of the planet trio of Jupiter, Venus and Mercury soon after nightfall, close to the W horizon.

Continuing to find flying fish on side-deck each morning.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 126n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2960n.ml.; Midway Island: 659n.ml. (339T); Johnston Atoll: 208n.ml. (111T); Hawaii: 962n.ml (081T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Copied by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:

RTW Day 217: N. Pacific: Passing 200n.ml W of Johnston Atoll

  • By Mike , on 27 May 2013 08:32
Sunday 26th May 2013     

Happy Bank Holiday and Memorial Day To U.K. and USA Friends!

Overnight, flying fish on side-deck - small area on its belly glowed in the dark!

9am    Wind veered to E, so able to free off and make N course at better speed.

11:30am   Rain clouds around - no sooner partly-furled in genoa than wind dropped, speed down to 2.5kt, so had to unfurl genoa and trim sail again. Later, back on course in E wind, speed 5.4kt bright sun.

1:30pm A lot of large cumulus around again. Had just finished spending a long time clearing up a major spillage of detergent powder when realized wind was up - we were bouncing around and heeling a lot. Genoa in  .... adjusted course ... so finally turned on autopilot for a short while in gusty and changeable conditions.

Sunset   Large dark grey raincloud downwind - it had missed us! Clouds were clearing away ahead as the sunset light faded. Just above the W horizon, looked for the usual trio of planets to show: bright Venus was below and to the right of Jupiter, but was closer than last night. Mercury was just above Jupiter and also to its right - about twice as far away as Venus, all three forming a clear triangle, not quite equilateral.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 107n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 3063n.ml.; Midway Island: 774n.ml. (343T); Johnston Atoll: 212n.ml. (076T); Hawaii: 1000n.ml (071T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Copied by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:

RTW Day 216: N. Pacific: Gentle NE Trade Force Us West

  • By Mike , on 26 May 2013 08:32
Saturday 25th May 2013

8am   Bright and sunny, I noticed some towering cumulus clouds ahead to windward, with rain clearly falling from its base. Slowly, we drew closer and, for a time, I thought it would pass astern of us - but no. Our course changed with the veered wind and soon heavy rain was rinsing the boat off. I stayed watching from the companionway in case I needed to furl in some genoa as the wind increased but all passed without any great drama - just some increased heel and speed as we skirted the cloud until finally coming out into the sunshine again. Another far smaller rain cloud shortly after gave us more Easting in the veered wind and some more rinsing off but there was no more rain for the rest of the day.

Wind backed and, despite traveller and boom hauled to weather as much as possible, we could no longer make our N course but were forced NNW at 4kt or less over the rest of the day and into the evening.

7pm    Dark. After sunset, Mercury was a faint object to the right of, and slightly higher than, Venus and the line joining them formed the base of an isosceles triangle with Jupiter at its apex. The moon was late rising - not seen near sunset, possibly due to cloud in E.

Satellite photos show it is clear ahead and weather fax shows the wind will be ENE for some days so we are likely to be forced further W.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 121n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 3140n.ml.; Midway Island: 879n.ml. (345T); Johnston Atoll: 252n.ml. (051T); Hawaii: 1024n.ml (071T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Copied by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or: