Ecuador to Hawaii days 1-2-3- 2012
The Statistics:
Day-1 October=12 Position lat.=00*15” S Long.=82*28 W.- 24 hour run=131 nautical miles. Wind=west south west 12-15kts skies sunny Temp-77* Seas -4-5ft.from WSW.
Day-2 Oct.13 Position 00* 16”S Long.84* 53”W-2 4hr. run=151 NM. Wind SW 12-20kts. Skies cloudy with light mist at times. Temp-74 at night 77-day seas 6-8ft. SW
Day-3 Oct.14 Position Lat.=00*32”S Long.=87*10”-24hr.run=143NM.Wind S 10-15kts.Temp-day76-night 74. Seas -4-5ft. from south.
Total miles sailed past 3-days = 425NM.
The Rest of the story.
It was the morning of departure from Bahia Caraquez, Ecuador. The night before had been wonderful as Magie had given Debbie and I a going away party with finger food and some drinks for us. Many of the couples off the cruising boats here showed up as well and many of our local friends. So this morning was just a little groggy from the night before but it felt good.
Debbie was scurrying about securing all the loose ends below and I was walking the deck making sure Sailors Run was ready to go sailing, After all was ship shape we called the launch to go ashore for our final time and receive our Zarpe for departure. Debbie and I said goodbye to all the staff and there were lots of hugs and some tears as we have become very fond of all the staff as well as the owners Tripp and Maye. It even goes much further than that as there are many locals in the community that we also are good friends with making leaving more than just a little sad.
Pedro our pilot for crossing the bar showed up just before noon and we slipped the mooring lines and swung around for our final look at Puerto Amistad. Once again there were tears in our eyes and joy in our hearts as the whole crew of Puerto Amistad lined the ramp and dingy dock with all their arms waving. I could see Bibiana waving from up inside the restaurant.
Pedro did a fine job of finding the deepest water out across the bar. I saw less than two feet under our keel on many occasions getting clear of the mouth of the river. Soon it was time to hug Pedro goodbye and we watched as the launch took him back in safely across the bar.
Wow we were free again to sail the Pacific on what appeared to be a perfect day. The sun was out and we had about 12kts of breeze.
Our overall goal is to try and average about 140 NM, per day; sailing through the Galapagos islands then alter course for the Hawaiian Islands a voyage of nearly 5000 NM.
On Day-1 we found ourselves about 30-degrees off course sailing a much too northerly route against a knot of current. We were not concerned as the wind direction is different in close to shore and would become more favorable over the next 12-hours.
During the night the winds shifted and we were able to head more south towards the Galapagos Islands, We had seen several ships during the day and Debbie awoke me when she saw lights at night on her watch. She was concerned as the lights were getting closer and nothing was showing on the radar. At last we made out what it was a dow rigged local wooden fishing boat apparently hove too fishing some 75-miles off shore. The sail was up but just luffing in the 12 knot winds.
Day-2 was more boisterous as the winds built to twenty knots and the seas started to build until they were running 6-8 feet, It was just our second day and sailing pretty close to the wind things became somewhat uncomfortable below. I noticed that my Admiral was using a very much different vocabulary and saying not nice things about our beloved “Sailors Run”. Debbie even talked about skipping sailing through the Galapagos and falling off the wind. I the Captain found myself making promises that this was all soon to end and that it would all get better. I also fell off the wind a little trying to keep peace below decks. ”Damn I Think this Boat is Shrinking”!!
I discovered some advantages of pounding through the waves as during a morning look about on deck there were two flying fish and two squid lying on the deck. It appears it would be most difficult to starve out here . Although we like the free fish , the black ink on the genoa sail where it was hit by six squid after they had jettisoned from a wave was not nearly such a wonderful sight.
Day-3 we found ourselves sailing comfortably along nearly on a beam reach[wind coming in at 90-degrees to the boat].We were also back on course for the Galapagos and Debbie was chipper once again and we played cards while the wind vane steered the boat.
The wind Generator is supplying all the electricity for the batteries with little help from the 110 watts of solar that are clouded out. We always reef the main once the winds are above 15 knots and the mizzen always has one reef when going to weather [wind coming ahead of the beam] beam [side of boat]. The Monitor wind vane does all the steering when at sea away from land if we have 8+knots of wind or more.
We are currently 122 NM, from the Galapagos and hope to get there within the next 24 hrs. However the winds are becoming much lighter 10-kts.
You might recall I always like to have a beer a day while on passage and really dislike running short and this problem is greatly compounded when there are two aboard; so stay tuned for my solution to the shortage problem.
Debbie and I love to hear from you all out there but must remind you not to hit Reply when responding to this “Radio” email as we get our whole email back and that eats up precious radio minutes and we are allowed but twenty each day and we already have read the adventure.”Thanks”
Your Amigos -Jeff & Debbie
Ecuador to Hawaii Days-4-5-6. 2012
Statistics:
Day-4 Pos.=Lat.00*59’S Long.=89*53’W. 24hr. run=155 NM. Wind south at 14 kts. Skies partly cloudy Temp=74*-76*.
Day-5 Pos.=00*09N Long.=91*16’W. 24hr. Run=136 NM. Wind 8-12kts from the south. Mostly sunny Temp 74*-78*.
Day-6 Pos.=Lat.00*53’N Long.93*11’W 24 hr. run=128NM. Wind south at 6-10kts sunny skies Temp 74*-80*
Total mileage after 6-days=844 NM. Top speed achieved on day -2=8.8 kts.
The Rest of the story.
On day 4 of the voyage after just 3-days and 14 hours we found ourselves aboard Sailors Run sailing in to the Galapagos [Spanish for large Tortoises] Islands. The sea around us changed from cobalt blue to the bluish gray green fertile seas that surround these remote volcanic Islands that now are home to some 6,000 Ecuadorians with a few “Gringos thrown in for variety.[currently no more foreigners can buy land here].
Debbie and I were pleased to have a warm sunny weather to sail in amongst the archipelago. The islands are young geologically speaking having risen from the sea within the last 1 to 9-million years. The islands appear very barren with many volcanic cones visible and very little foliage to be seen on most Islands. The Island of Isla San Cristobal did appear to have some small trees about half way up its southern slope that became barren once again as you reached the upper elevation of what must be nearly 2,000 feet.
The thought of exploring these islands leads you to conclude that boats and helicopters would be the best due to the barren terrain and distances that must be covered, Isla Isabela the largest island measures in at a whopping 74miles by 45miles. We sailed along the 74 mile north shore of Isabela in very calm seas and light winds through the night with a canopy of stars sparkling like diamonds overhead. The stars appeared to be within reach of our hands if we could just climb to the summit of one of Isabela’s volcanoes bolting from the shore straight up into the sky nearly 4,000 feet.
Our 5th day concluded our 36 hrs spent in the Galapagos and it was a brilliant sunny day, the best of the trip so far. Debbie and I toasted King Neptune & launched a” message in bottle “as we crossed the equator for our Tenth time over the past 14-years and this location just 12 miles north of Isla Isabela was the first time we were ever in sight of land while crossing the equator making it even more special.
Yes, we certainly have our regrets about not stopping and taking advantage of the tame wild life that shows no fear of mankind here in these islands. I believe I had the most regrets as in my mind I had imagined sailing for Hawaii with a huge tortoise turned upside down and lashed under the salon table with a pad under that hardened shell to keep it from scaring up the teak cabin sole. It would have also been nice to have a “6-pack of Penguins on ice” in the freezer for Thanks giving just in case for some reason we were unable to reach Hawaii by Thanksgiving. I prefer Turkey but “what the hell they are both birds”!
It would seem with so much sailing experience between the two of us that there should be no problem getting happily along to Hawaii which brings us back to the beer issue. I like one beer a day for medicinal purposes and Debbie a true sailor prefers her rum. Deb and I put our heads together on this one and came up with a compromise. We decided to take just one medicine on the voyage and that would be rum. We at last came down to figuring on just how much we should take. The Voyage is estimated to take 33-days by the Captain and the Admiral thinks two drinks each per day should be plenty unless we should become becalmed[no wind] making it necessary to “party up some wind”. Men generally better at math than women it seemed that it would be the Captains turn to step up and decide upon the quantity of spirits for the ships rum stores. I added, subtracted then multiplied at last arriving at a safe amount “SIXTY BOTTLES”. I insured Debbie that should be most sufficient if we used some self discipline which I’m happy to report we might be good at.
Day six we watched the Galapagos Islands disappear over the stern rail as we sailed along under spinnaker in diminishing winds. It appears that our mileage for this day will suffer.
Your Hawaii bound Amigos, Jefferrum and Debbierum
PS. No creatures of nature were harmed in any way in the writing of this adventure “Cheers”.
Ecuador to Hawaii Days 7-8-9. 2012
The Statistics:
Day-7 Pos. Lat-01*43’N Long.-95*50’W. 24hr, Run=177 NM. Wind-10-15kts. From south. Temp 79* Under sunny skies.
Day-8 Pos.-Lat,02*N Long99*03W. 24hr. Run=170NM. Wind south at 10-15kts. Temp=82* partly cloudy skies.
Day-9 Pos. Lat. 03*24’N Long. 100* 57’W. 24hr. Run=170 NM. Wind from south 10-15kts Temp.=82* Partly cloudy skies Seas 5-6 feet.
New maximum speed=9.4kts.
Total miles Run so far=1357 NM.
The rest of the story.
Day 7
I had discovered two broken slides on the mainsail when it was down so sewed two new ones on as once one goes they start to come off like” clothes pins”.
The sailing has been as good as it gets , a steady breeze on the beam and seas under 6ft. The Monitor wind vane is doing all the steering so far.
In the morning I was looking at the electronic charts looking for anything that might lie along our course line when I right clicked on the information icon on my chart. I was surprised to read that it was two paragraphs on how no foreign vessels are to come within 200 miles of the Galapagos Islands without risking being fined! I measured and we were now 150 miles away from the Islands and as we had seen no vessels in or around the Islands when we sailed thru I figured we had lucked out.
Debbie and I were below playing Baja Ha Rummy when I heard a rapid thumping sound only made by helicopters. We climbed out into the cockpit and watched as an orange helicopter with floats on it swooped down and circled Sailors Run. Debbie said something to the effect we are so “busted”. There were two guys in the chopper and they were giving us hand signals. I thought they wanted me to drop the sails. Soon they were hovering ten feet off the water on our starboard side facing us and going along with the boat while hovering just 100 feet down wind of us. The two guys were smiling .Deb and I held our hands out like “What’s up” and then they gave us a thumbs up which we returned and off they flew. Now Debbie and I were just all kinds of giddy having a hard time believing what just had happened here. We also felt truly sorry that we had not grabbed the camera as the shot we could have gotten would have been truly magical.
We later decided that the helicopter had to be searching for tuna for the tuna fleet we had noticed the lights from the night before, way off on the distant horizon.
Day-8
It was during the night and I was off watch sleeping when Debbie heard a rather loud clunk on deck. Debbie armed with her high powered spot light went topside to see what was going on. Glancing around everything seemed normal, two masts three sails up and trimmed yet there on the deck lay a complete shackle and a shackle, screw in type pin.
I awake from a very deep sleep to a woman’s voice hollering for me on deck. It takes awhile but finally I’m topside and looking at this one inch tiny little clevis pin and the Admiral wants to know what it is for? I assure her it cannot be too important as it is so small; then she shows me the larger shackle and explains that stuff is following off our rig and we need to find out what it is for. I look closely at the small pin and somehow it seemed familiar but where did this crap come from.
We go back below and Debbie is sitting in the corner of the cabin eyeballing me as I stare at the pieces in my hand. ‘Suddenly the lights come on and I realize these pieces are part of the topping lift for the main boom which is not in use while the sail is up and yes, we are lucky they didn’t bounce over the side. Fixed!
It must be said Debbie is doing a great job of preparing interesting meals while under way and of course I’m eating the heck out of whatever she comes up with.
Day-9
Today Debbie has decided she is wasting 33-days of her life making this passage as when she sails she is not where she wants to be and with me it is just the opposite so I try to put her mind at ease.
OK “Babe” think about this. You are spending 33 days to take your home from one part of “Paradise” to another “Hawaii”. Once there you will enjoy 6-months in the Islands operating from the comfort and convenience of your “very own home”. Now do you realize that many people work all year to go on vacation pack up all there needed belongings and fly two just one Island for one to two weeks and stay in a hotel without cooking facilities and if the Island doesn’t have an airport they most likely will never see it. I rest my case “Admiral”.
Debbie thought about it!
Thoughts from the “Pacific Punch Bowl”.
I guess it’s because we have been traveling some of the same areas as Charles Darwin traveled aboard the “Beagle”, that the theory of evolution has been messing with my mind. We have all come to agree that penguins were once birds that flew in the skies. Then if you consider how large a ‘Monitor Penguin is, standing over three feet tall and weighing in at 60-lbs. That would have been one “Huge Ass Duck”.
Your Amigos, Jeff & Debbie on patrol in the Pacific.
Ecuador to Hawaii days 10-11-12 2012.
Statistics:
Day-10 Oct,21. Pos,-04*21’N Long.-103*08’W. 24hr. Run=143 NM. Weather=Sunny, confused seas 6-8ft. wind and waves from SSW wind 6-15kts. Temp. 80-84*.
Day-11 Oct.22 Pos.-05*07’N Long.-104*46’W. 24hr, Run=106 NM. Weather=Mostly cloudy seas 6-8ft. wind 12-20 kts. From SW. Temp-80-84*.
Day-12 Oct 23 Pos. 06* N Long.106*48’W. 24hr. Run=130 NM. Weather partly cloudy seas 6-8ft. Wind SSW at 15-20kts. Temp 80-84*.
Total Miles sailed so far=1736 NM with aprox,3000 NM. to go.
The rest of the story.
Day-10 was our day for fishing. First let me remind you our 24hr. day is from noon to noon .
Debbie and I have been dragging a meat line off the stern for 3-full days and not a strike. Feeling somewhat desperate to catch a fish I sharpen the filleting knife thinking that maybe somehow being more ready might help. Debbie wants to try a different lure but the tackle box is put far away so we pass on that idea. On the evening of day-10 I notice we have a small fish on the line. Debbie gets the gaff and I start pulling the fish in hand over hand. Soon it is obvious there is no need for the gaff as the fish is just a small 3-lb. Spanish mackerel. They are good eating much like a tuna so we keep it and figure we now have two fish dinners.
The next morning I toss our trusty blue and purple squid over the stern to try for something a little bigger; after all this is the biggest ocean in the world we are fishing in.
Deb and I had just finished a great fish omelet breakfast that she had prepared so I go top sides to scan the horizon for ship traffic something we do every twenty minutes or less. I glance over the stern to check on the fishing line and to my surprise the bungee cord on the fishing line is stretched taught and our line is leading out to one side of the boat rather than directly behind the boat. I yell “Fish On” and Debbie grabs the gaff joining me top side. We must slow the boat that is currently doing over 7kts. So we role in the head sail on the furling and the boat starts slowing immediately.
I grab the thick monofilament line and start tugging in what appears to be a very large fish. Debbie is dealing with the excess line as it comes aboard. The fish is a beautiful blue- green Dorado and has lots of fight left in him, taking to the air on several occasions and burning my hands as the line is pulled from my grasp. Now Debbie joins in the fight and pretty soon both of us are getting our hands” smoked”. Debbie realizes she needs gloves and slides on a pair of leather gloves. Ten minutes later the fish is alongside the boat and I try to gaff him. I fail miserably as the fish keeps darting under the boat out of my reach. After many tries the gaff is driven home and the beautiful Dorado is hauled aboard.
Debbie and I cheer as now we have a full freezer and many days of fish dinners and for those of you that have never tasted Dorado I can only say it is one of our favorites. The fish was four feet long and has renewed our faith in fishing the Pacific.
Day- 11 we found our boat speed decreasing rapidly as we encountered the ‘Equatorial Counter Current”. We are losing about 50-miles a day to this adverse current. And it will take several days to sail clear of it.
Day-12 Conditions have deteriorated aboard sailors run as we are forced to sail on a close reach [pretty close to wind]. The winds are up to twenty knots and we have confused seas running 8-feet at times. We must stay south as the winds to the north of us are less favorable in direction and stronger. The bad thing about staying south is we are staying in the grasp of the current longer than we would like but we feel it is the lesser of the two evils. We are also somewhat reluctant to go north of ten degrees as it is still Hurricane season up there until November.
Slugging it out south of ten degrees. Your Amigos, Jeff & Debbie
Evolution of terminology stemming from the voyage.
Term:” Snap”
To take a “Snap” is similar to a “Nap” except shorter never more than 20 minutes and is performed while on watch. The egg timer is set to wake you or worst case scenario being woken earlier from a collision with “Huge Ship”.
Ecuador to Hawaii days 10-11-12 2012.
Statistics:
Day-10 Oct,21. Pos,-04*21’N Long.-103*08’W. 24hr. Run=143 NM. Weather=Sunny, confused seas 6-8ft. wind and waves from SSW wind 6-15kts. Temp. 80-84*.
Day-11 Oct.22 Pos.-05*07’N Long.-104*46’W. 24hr, Run=106 NM. Weather=Mostly cloudy seas 6-8ft. wind 12-20 kts. From SW. Temp-80-84*.
Day-12 Oct 23 Pos. 06* N Long.106*48’W. 24hr. Run=130 NM. Weather partly cloudy seas 6-8ft. Wind SSW at 15-20kts. Temp 80-84*.
Total Miles sailed so far=1736 NM with aprox,3000 NM. to go.
The rest of the story.
Day-10 was our day for fishing. First let me remind you our 24hr. day is from noon to noon .
Debbie and I have been dragging a meat line off the stern for 3-full days and not a strike. Feeling somewhat desperate to catch a fish I sharpen the filleting knife thinking that maybe somehow being more ready might help. Debbie wants to try a different lure but the tackle box is put far away so we pass on that idea. On the evening of day-10 I notice we have a small fish on the line. Debbie gets the gaff and I start pulling the fish in hand over hand. Soon it is obvious there is no need for the gaff as the fish is just a small 3-lb. Spanish mackerel. They are good eating much like a tuna so we keep it and figure we now have two fish dinners.
The next morning I toss our trusty blue and purple squid over the stern to try for something a little bigger; after all this is the biggest ocean in the world we are fishing in.
Deb and I had just finished a great fish omelet breakfast that she had prepared so I go top sides to scan the horizon for ship traffic something we do every twenty minutes or less. I glance over the stern to check on the fishing line and to my surprise the bungee cord on the fishing line is stretched taught and our line is leading out to one side of the boat rather than directly behind the boat. I yell “Fish On” and Debbie grabs the gaff joining me top side. We must slow the boat that is currently doing over 7kts. So we role in the head sail on the furling and the boat starts slowing immediately.
I grab the thick monofilament line and start tugging in what appears to be a very large fish. Debbie is dealing with the excess line as it comes aboard. The fish is a beautiful blue- green Dorado and has lots of fight left in him, taking to the air on several occasions and burning my hands as the line is pulled from my grasp. Now Debbie joins in the fight and pretty soon both of us are getting our hands” smoked”. Debbie realizes she needs gloves and slides on a pair of leather gloves. Ten minutes later the fish is alongside the boat and I try to gaff him. I fail miserably as the fish keeps darting under the boat out of my reach. After many tries the gaff is driven home and the beautiful Dorado is hauled aboard.
Debbie and I cheer as now we have a full freezer and many days of fish dinners and for those of you that have never tasted Dorado I can only say it is one of our favorites. The fish was four feet long and has renewed our faith in fishing the Pacific..
Day- 11 we found our boat speed decreasing rapidly as we encountered the ‘Equatorial Counter Current”. We are losing about 50-miles a day to this adverse current. And it will take several days to sail clear of it.
Day-12 Conditions have deteriorated aboard sailors run as we are forced to sail on a close reach [pretty close to wind]. The winds are up to twenty knots and we have confused seas running 8-feet at times. We must stay south as the winds to the north of us are less favorable in direction and stronger. The bad thing about staying south is we are staying in the grasp of the current longer than we would like but we feel it is the lesser of the two evils. We are also somewhat reluctant to go north of ten degrees as it is still Hurricane season up there until November.
Slugging it out south of ten degrees. Your Amigos, Jeff & Debbie
Evolution of terminology stemming from the voyage.
Term:” Snap”
To take a “Snap” is similar to a “Nap” except shorter never more than 20 minutes and is performed while on watch. The egg timer is set to wake you or worst case scenario being woken earlier from a collision with “Huge Ship”.
Ecuador to Hawaii days 10-11-12 2012.
Statistics:
Day-10 Oct,21. Pos,-04*21’N Long.-103*08’W. 24hr. Run=143 NM. Weather=Sunny, confused seas 6-8ft. wind and waves from SSW wind 6-15kts. Temp. 80-84*.
Day-11 Oct.22 Pos.-05*07’N Long.-104*46’W. 24hr, Run=106 NM. Weather=Mostly cloudy seas 6-8ft. wind 12-20 kts. From SW. Temp-80-84*.
Day-12 Oct 23 Pos. 06* N Long.106*48’W. 24hr. Run=130 NM. Weather partly cloudy seas 6-8ft. Wind SSW at 15-20kts. Temp 80-84*.
Total Miles sailed so far=1736 NM with aprox,3000 NM. to go.
The rest of the story.
Day-10 was our day for fishing. First let me remind you our 24hr. day is from noon to noon .
Debbie and I have been dragging a meat line off the stern for 3-full days and not a strike. Feeling somewhat desperate to catch a fish I sharpen the filleting knife thinking that maybe somehow being more ready might help. Debbie wants to try a different lure but the tackle box is put far away so we pass on that idea. On the evening of day-10 I notice we have a small fish on the line. Debbie gets the gaff and I start pulling the fish in hand over hand. Soon it is obvious there is no need for the gaff as the fish is just a small 3-lb. Spanish mackerel. They are good eating much like a tuna so we keep it and figure we now have two fish dinners.
The next morning I toss our trusty blue and purple squid over the stern to try for something a little bigger; after all this is the biggest ocean in the world we are fishing in.
Deb and I had just finished a great fish omelet breakfast that she had prepared so I go top sides to scan the horizon for ship traffic something we do every twenty minutes or less. I glance over the stern to check on the fishing line and to my surprise the bungee cord on the fishing line is stretched taught and our line is leading out to one side of the boat rather than directly behind the boat. I yell “Fish On” and Debbie grabs the gaff joining me top side. We must slow the boat that is currently doing over 7kts. So we role in the head sail on the furling and the boat starts slowing immediately.
I grab the thick monofilament line and start tugging in what appears to be a very large fish. Debbie is dealing with the excess line as it comes aboard. The fish is a beautiful blue- green Dorado and has lots of fight left in him, taking to the air on several occasions and burning my hands as the line is pulled from my grasp. Now Debbie joins in the fight and pretty soon both of us are getting our hands” smoked”. Debbie realizes she needs gloves and slides on a pair of leather gloves. Ten minutes later the fish is alongside the boat and I try to gaff him. I fail miserably as the fish keeps darting under the boat out of my reach. After many tries the gaff is driven home and the beautiful Dorado is hauled aboard.
Debbie and I cheer as now we have a full freezer and many days of fish dinners and for those of you that have never tasted Dorado I can only say it is one of our favorites. The fish was four feet long and has renewed our faith in fishing the Pacific..
Day- 11 we found our boat speed decreasing rapidly as we encountered the ‘Equatorial Counter Current”. We are losing about 50-miles a day to this adverse current. And it will take several days to sail clear of it.
Day-12 Conditions have deteriorated aboard sailors run as we are forced to sail on a close reach [pretty close to wind]. The winds are up to twenty knots and we have confused seas running 8-feet at times. We must stay south as the winds to the north of us are less favorable in direction and stronger. The bad thing about staying south is we are staying in the grasp of the current longer than we would like but we feel it is the lesser of the two evils. We are also somewhat reluctant to go north of ten degrees as it is still Hurricane season up there until November.
Slugging it out south of ten degrees. Your Amigos, Jeff & Debbie
Evolution of terminology stemming from the voyage.
Term:” Snap”
To take a “Snap” is similar to a “Nap” except shorter never more than 20 minutes and is performed while on watch. The egg timer is set to wake you or worst case scenario being woken earlier from a collision with “Huge Ship”.
Ecuador to Hawaii Days 13-14-15 2012
Statistics:
Day-13 Oct.25th Pos.06*51’N long.109*06’W, 24hr. Run=156 NM. Wind SW at15kts. Seas 5-6ft. Temp 82-84*. Mostly Sunny.
Day-14 Pos.08*03’N Long.111*07’ W 24hr.Run=144 NM. Wind squally 15-25 from SW-W. Clouds and rain. Temp.83-85*
Day-15 Pos. 09*32’N Long. 112*18’ W 24hr. Run=122NM. Wind 6-15kts;squalls from various directions. Temp.82*-83* cloudy rainy
Total miles so far= 2158NM almost 46% of the way there.
The Rest of the Story.
Day 14 Sailors Run sails clear of most of the adverse current and the sailing was good.
Day 15 Finds us nearing the monsoon trough a band of witches brew weather that runs west to east near the 10* north latitude. This band of clouds and moisture is about 60-160 miles wide. The winds here tend to be lighter around 10kts. With squalls that can more than double that. The wind direction changes dramatically, making sailing very challenging and lots of work. The Monsoon trough is also the breeding grounds for the Hurricanes that occur here in the Eastern Pacific. We have been watching our weather faxes and there have been no lows in the trough; not one for the past two weeks but guess what? my latest fax shows four of them spaced out all along the trough from 90*W to 140*W. Now to make it worse the lowest low is just 2’ east or within 120NM. of us, and less than one degree north.
We have never been inside a Hurricane when it formed before but this could be a first. Now if this isn’t bad enough our winds have gone west on us forcing us to sail a much more northerly route.
Here is the plan we pray no hurricane will form????? We are going to get through this trough by whatever means necessary; yes motor if need be. Once clear of the witches brew around 12’ north we should pick up the NE trades and be able to sail west staying along the 12 or just above until we are sure none of the for mentioned lows have developed before turning WNW for the “Big Island of Hawaii”. It seems there is something very interesting about playing “cat and mouse” when you realize you are the “mouse”!
It was on this day we experienced the effects of the combining of wave patterns from the south and the north. This created small haystack seas about 6-8ft high causing lots of bouncing around aboard Sailors Run. The effects were severe enough to launch our silverware drawer not just once but twice dumping all of its contents all over the galley floor. Now when this happens and you are off watch and sort of asleep it sounds like you have just collided with a train and might not want to wake up.,./;’.Son of a<><:”?>. Sailing is not always serenity? “ Come on you must be kidding”.
Day 15- finds us dealing with lots of squalls and the calms that follow them. It was after one of these squalls when our sails were flogging that a shackle broke on the mizzen sheet [control line]. Once aware that the mizzen was flailing around back and forth I went out to secure it. Once the mizzen sheet was secured I noticed that the marlex goose neck fitting had come out and I had to put that thing back together. It’s less than perfect but operational.
Debbie says today is a good day as winds are light and we are motor sailing making water. We have used 75 gallons of water the first two weeks so are on our last 75 gallons so it is time to make water; might as well as the engine is running anyway.
Your early hurricane monitoring Amigos, Jeff & Debbie
PS, Please don’t push reply when responding to this email as it sends the entire message back.
THANK YOU
Ecuador to Hawaii Days 16-17-18 2012
Statistics :
Day 16 October-28th. Pos.lat.=10*37’ N Long.=113*40’W 2hr. Run=112 NM. Weather squally winds 15 gusting 25kts..Temp=81-85*;
Day 17 Pos Lat.11* 54’ N, Long. 114* 49’W. 24 hr. Run=109 NM Weather continues to deteriorate winds SW 20 gusting 35kts. Temp.84-86*
Day 18 Pos. Lat. 12*53’N Long.116*08’W 24hr.Run=99NM Weather: winds SW at 25 gusting 40 kts. Temp. 84-86*
Total miles sailed so far =2,478 NM.
The rest of the story.
On day-16 I decided not to go up to the 12* North latitude as it would put us to close to the low that may become a Hurricane so we sail as close to the wind as possible still on the port tack. There is a current against us at 1-2kts. Out of the west making our daily runs suffer.
Day 17 seems somehow special as we have reached the half way point of the passage and Debbie “Screams Ya Hoooo”.
The weather continues to deteriorate with the winds increasing and we reef Sailors Run down even more. We have a double reef in the main and one in the Mizzen. The staysail is up and Genoa just barely rolled out about 15%.
We study the weather faxes and realize we are between a rock and a hard spot. The low that is forecaste to possibly become the Hurricane is just 90-miles north of us and is moving parallel to our course line kind of .NW at about the same speed. We could turn south and sail clear of everything but don/t want to give up our ground made good. So we are taking a beating in wash machine seas that are 7-10 feet.
Day 18 weather is worse 25 Kts. gusting 40 kts. The rains are with us all the time now a true “Monsoon” experience. The other two lows appear to be filling and might soon go away but the worst one is still holding steady at 1006 MB,
We have put a second reef in the mizzen and furled the Genoa all the way in; slowing the boat to just 4-kts over the bottom as we are trying to reduce the force that we bash into these steep waves. The worst case scenario is, that the low does crank up, and stays put for any length of time; if that happens we will heave to under the the “Sea Anchor our 18ft parachute .batten down the hatches and wait for that “Bad Girl” to mosey off.
I was trying to perk up a pot of coffee this morning on our gimbaled stove and watch the weather faxes come in all at the same time. Sailors Run had just risen to the crest of a very large steep wave when she fell off to starboard coming down hard on her starboard side submerging that side of the boat completely and that sent the eight cups of half percolated coffee all over the galley grounds and all. Debbie was awakened to a bunch of strange noises and goings on from where she had been trying to sleep in her sea birth. I was real glad that I hadn’t been in the galley when it became awash with scalding coffee and now set about trying to clean up what mess had nor escaped into the bilges.
Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Debbie making the sign of the cross across her chest with a less than cheery look on her face. Once the mess was pretty much cleaned up I went over beside her birth and started singing a verse to the song “Sea Cruise” ooheee , oohee Baby won’t you let me take you on a “sea cruise” oohee oohee baby. It was then that I seen a smile start at the corners of her mouth and spread all over her face. Deb reached up and hugged me and I knew she was going to be all right.
Trying to sail clear of the “Crap” Your amigos Jeff& Debbie
Sailors Run’s Tropical Storm up date.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN-TRICK OR TREAT!!!!!
Debbie and I decided when the low became Tropical storm Rosa that we were already in it and since the storm is not expected to become a cyclone and winds should not exceed 50-knots that we could use it to our advantage Hmmmmm ????. Since we were already beating into 35kts sailing about 280’ and were being forced right into the storm’s center the other tack of 180’ looked unproductive as well so we turned due north as the storm center was just above us to the NE about 60 miles away and moving 275’ at 4 Kts. The storm it is believed will come back south in two days. So we figure we can sail down wind going north and use it like a sling once we get to the top of the revolving storm we will have following winds going to the west.
Today Halloween the 31st of October at 2:50 PM Central time in the US we are sailing 318’ true at 8+ knots with just a reefed staysail up in 50kts. Sustained and seas running up to twenty feet. The water looks like smoke as the spray is flying and stinging my face as I sort things out on deck that are going bad ,like the bimini supports are coming apart. T he reef in the staysail keeps coming untied and trying to self destruct .A huge wave came in and broke over the boat on the starboard side shifting our dinghy around. The main and Mizzen sails needed extra lines on them so they would stay on the booms. I was getting all my clothes soaked [underwear and T-shirts]. I tried the nude thing but in 50kts!! That stings like “Hell”. We seem to be doing ok and it might not be but a day before we can turn the corner and go west.
The boat below decks has become very wet as water continues to come in places we hadn’t expected, Debbie is overwhelmed but doing a great job keeping things comfortable . I kind of feel like I’m working a storm for the power company and it feels “kind of good”.
Debbie has come to the conclusion that she just has to” ride it out” .Although I’m singing “I got You Babe” and Debbie is singing “Please Release Me let me go.”.
The hatches are battened down and we will weather this one out and write more in a couple of days.
Sailing with “TS, Rosa”: your Amigos Jeff & Debbie
We are going to stand on the gas pedal and see what Sailors Run can do. We still have two reefs in the mizzen and one in the main and a spinnaker itching for some lighter winds,
“ Merrily Barreling along”, Your Amigos Jeff & Debbie singing, “Oh, Happy Days!” J
.
Ecuador to Hawaii days 19 -20-21 2012
Statistics:
Day-19 Oct.31st.(Halloween} Pos. Lat.14*12’N. Long.116*38’W 24hr. Run=107NM. Weather: TS “Rosa” 30-50Kts. SSW. Seas 14-20ft. Temp 83- 84*
Weather: TS. “Rosa” 35-50kts. South –East Seas 1
Day-20 Pos. Lat.15*54’ N. Lpng. 117*50’W. 24 hr. Run=128 NM. Weather: TS. “Rosa”30-50kts.S to E wind direction. Seas 14-20 ft. Temp . 80*
Day-21 Pos. Lat. 16*36’ N Long. 120*13 W. 24hr. Run=149 NM. Weather winds from NE 15-20Kts.Trade wind sky’s, sunny Seas 6-8ft from NE, Temp 80*
NEW TOP SPEED=11.4 kts.
Total miles sailed so far=2,666 NM
Miles left to go=2,100 NM
The Rest of the Story.
We are safe and all is well aboard “Sailors Run”. First we want to thank all our friends and family for writing to us as well as your concern, information, prayers and encouragement as it meant a lot to us.
On day-19, We implemented the go North plan along the eastern winds of the storm. Yes, this was not totally Prudent considering late season storm tracks are somewhat hard to predict. Our route promised to be in winds not to exceed 30-kts, if storm acted as predicted and it behaved very well.
It was when the winds were a sustained 50kts. And seas built rapidly to 14-20ft. and a 5-second time interval between crests that doubt entered my mind about the plan. Where are these winds coming from as we are not that close to the storm center? It was about noon and the sky was so dark that it seemed the sun was setting.
The rain was coming in torrents and the air was filled with pelting rain that stung my face as I struggled to stay on deck while better securing sails lashed to booms and the reef in the staysail that refused to stay rolled up in place. I will never forget while sliding around on the heaving foredeck this woman’s voice I could hear wanting to know if there was anything she could do to help and to hang on . I don’t hear that well and couldn’t figure where the voice was coming from. It wasn’t until later when I asked Debbie that she told me she had opened the forward small cabin window where she had been watching out for me .
Once secure back below with storm board in place I assured Debbie we were good and we just had to run North under reefed staysail alone until we felt the winds start to ease and come around to the east. It would be then that we would start turning the corner over the top of the storm.
We were slammed on the beam with a huge breaking wave that engulfed the boat filling the cock pit and pressing water below through any place that would allow it, window seals butterfly hatch and forward hatch, not to mention dorad ventilators . The amount of water was small yet seemed like a huge invasion to our sanctuary below decks. We were pumping the bilges regularly and always finding some water there. The 50 kts. of wind became 40 after about 4 hrs. and 30kts after 4 more hours.
With 30 kts we were happy and as the adrenalin dissipated we come to realize how drained we both were. I felt like Debbie, that my muscles had been totally stretched out just trying to hang on. Its times like these that you wish you had a tail to hang on with to free your hands for the tasks at hand.
Day-20, The sun reappeared and the sky even had some blue in it,Yahoo! Sailors Run had faired very well with only minor damage. A couple of hanks had broken on the stay sail that attached it to the inner stay. There was some scuffing of the wood on the hatch cove where the dingy had been moving about and one preventer line on the main boom that had nearly chaffed through.
Some of you have wondered how this compared to a storm off “Cape Horn”. A storm anywhere is bad that they have in common. The major difference is the waves. In the tropical storm the waves are much closer together and 14-20ft.In the Southern Ocean the waves are 15ft.before the storm comes and rise rapidly to 40ft. yet are more comfortable to ride as they are spaced further apart. Of course bigger waves propose a much greater threat to a yacht as they are so much more powerful and can capsize your yacht. The other major difference is in this storm we had a choice whether to get involved, sailing around The Horn there is but one way to sail there from the Pacific and a storm is common every three days at the Horn.
Day-21, We sailed easy and rested in good conditions. The Storm Rosa has taken us 450 NM. north of our rumb line course to Hawaii. We have added about 200 miles to our route and now we will need big mileage days to get in within our 33-day estimated time for the trip.
Ecuador to Hawaii Days 22-23-24 2012
Statiistics:
Day-22- Nov.-3rd Pos. Lat.16*50’N Long.122*50’ 24hr. Run=164 NM. Weather: Sunny NE Trades 18-22kts. Temp79-80*.
Day-23- Pos. Lat.17*05’N Long. 125*16’W. 24 hr. Run=144 NM. Weather: NE Trades 12-15kts. Temp 77-78*
Day-24- Pos. Lat.17*26’N Long.127*27’W 24hr, Run=122 NM. Weather: sunny Trade winds light at 10-12kts NNE. Temp 77-80*.
Total miles sailed so far “Whoops” made error last time in calculation of 200 Nm it should have been 2866 NM.
New Total miles sailed so far3236 NM.
Miles left to go= 1683 NM.
The Rest of the Story:
Day-22, We sailed onward in strong trades having one of those big days that we hope to see more of.
Now there is this funny feeling of let down and things aboard seem almost too normal after going through a storm where our“Pucker factor” had been way up. Debbie says she is all right with it but I feel just kind of zoned out.
We are anxious to fish again but have to eat our way into the freezer to make some room for our next “catch of the day”.
Day-23
Winds are dropping off and we watch as our speed also drops. Soon I shake out all the reefs and manage to get the speed back up for a few more hours. Overnight the winds went light. The sky tonight was amazing causing one to just stare deep into the twinkling mass of stars as the boat rolled nicely along in the warm gentle breezes.
We are amazed that we have not seen one ship since those we saw on our first day off the coast of Ecuador. There was the fishing fleet after the Galapagos but no huge freighters. I’m thinking the Panama Canal is “broken”.
Day-24
Debbie sounds the alarm that the shower sump keeps filling up and on further investigation we find water in the bilge from where the sump had over flowed . Debbie gets the flash light and finds the head waters on Sailors Run. It seems that the sink in the head has a thru hull valve and that is leaking and there seems no way to further tighten it. I make a temporary fix on the valve by stretching Teflon sealer tape real thin and working it into the slop on valve cut a piece of rubber and then hose clamp it over the Teflon tape. At first it seems to still drip but after several hours the leak stops completely and we are sure that we can wait until port for the proper fix.
It was 3 AM on my watch and the boat had slowed to 4 kts in less than 10 kts. of breeze. It was definitely spinnaker time so up went the chute. That caused the speed to go back up to a comfortable 5+kts. I thought I had done really well getting the spinnaker up but took a little “heat” from Debbie for not waking her up to watch out for me while hoisting it. OK!! OK!!
We are down to one tomato, two cucumbers and one head of cabbage, Look out Costco here we come J
On election patrol in the Pacific, & Happy to be nicely making way-Your amigos ,Jeff & Debbie
Ecuador to Hawaii Days 25-26-27 2012
Statistics:
Day 25- Pos. Lat.17*50’N , Long.129*09’W. -24hr, Run=104 NM. Weather, sunny, wind NNE at 6-8kts. Temp 78-80*.
Day 26- Pos. Lat. 18*03’N, Long.131*11’W -24hr. Run=109 NM. Weather: sunny, Wind NNE at 8-12kts. Temp 79-82*.
Day 27- Pos. Lat. 18*31’N Long.133*38’W 24hr. Run= 150NM.Weather: partly cloudy ,wind NNE at 15-18kts. Temp 78-82*
Total miles sailed so far=3,597NM.
Total miles left to go=1,362NM
The rest of the story:
The winds have gone really light and we struggled under Spinnaker on Days 25-26 trying to get at least 100 miles a day. Aboard Sailors Run we sail unless the speed drops below three knots.
I was thinking about the storm Rosa and how important it is to have radar both out in the cockpit and below decks. Let’s face it the less time you spend topsides in a storm the better off you are and Radar becomes your eyes when below decks. The radar is also a good place to display your speed and course. Now we only have one radar screen but it is on a swing arm that allows it to be outside or inside.
The other thing that is very important is a good auto pilot and or wind vane that can steer in a storm this allows you to sail shorthanded and spend less time on deck.
Debbie and I have come to love our ice machine. It’s small about 18”x18”x10” and starts producing ice in just 12-minutes and then about every 5-minutes after that. Now we not only have ice but don’t have to take up valuable room in our freezer. Ours is a Sears –Kold Front and cost 130 dollars. It uses very little electricity and is only on for a short time when ice is needed.
Day 27, the winds filled in and we are making good progress towards Hawaii. The spinnaker came down after 53hrs.and we are back under Main, Mizzen & Genoa.
The fishing line is back out but so far nothing.
Getting anxious, your amigos Jeff & Debbie
Ecuador to Hawaii Days 28-29-30,2012
Statistics:
Day 28= Nov.9th. Pos Lat. 19*04’N. Long.136*13’ W. 24hr. Run=155NM, Weather: Wind NNE at 12-18kts. Partly cloudy Temp.=76-80*.
Day 29 =Pos. Lat.19*33’N. Long. 138*36’W. 24hr. Run=142NM, Weather: Wind NNE at 12-18kts.shifting to east 15-18kts.Cloudy. Temp.=75-77*.
Day 30 Pos, Lat.20*03’N.Long.140*02’W.24hr, run=120NM. ,Weather: Wind East at 12-18kts. Sunny Temp.76-78*
Total miles sailed so far=4,014NM.
Miles left to go=922NM.
The rest of the story:
Day 28-Was fast sailing in nice trades. We are fishing and apparently had a “strike” as our little purple squid is gone and its wire leader appears to have pulled apart where it was crimped back on its self. It is times like this that you wonder if the manufacture knows that the crimp job is no good just so you must buy more lures. ”NOOOOOOO “ of course not that would be dishonest!!
Day 29- We get a wind shift to the east and suddenly we have the wind right on our backs ,one of our least favorite points of sail while in confused seas as we tend to roll around like a “Bee Bee” in a box car. We stay sailing on a broad reach a much more comfortable sail but are very unhappy with our course that is now taking us north of the big Island. The spinnaker would be great but ours is very large and the winds are too strong to fly it, so we run dead downwind with the main on one side and the mizzen on the other. The genoa just keeps popping and snapping because of the roll even on the pole. I am frustrated and Debbie’s mood is just as well, as rolling & heaving gets to be abit much!
Day 30- The winds go lighter and back to the NNE eventually. It was on one of my trips topside I noticed the fishing line no longer trailing behind. Hmmmm! Soon the not so bad problem is discovered a fish has taken our line down and wrapped it up on the wind vane steering. I “shout fish on” and free the line from the wind vane then roll in the headsail to slow the boat. Debbie appears with the gaff and I put on the gloves and start hauling the fish in. When the fish breaks the surface it is a beautiful blue Dorado [Mahi Mahi].It doesn’t take team “Sailors Run” long to haul our catch aboard. Wow this is like going shopping without spending the money. It’s less than one hour later we once again have a full freezer thanks to ‘Mr. 44 “ Dorado and the careful packaging of Debbie.
We should be into Honokahou harbor on the big Island within a week, crossing our fingers.
For those of you wondering about our future plans it goes kind of like this. Six months on the Islands aprox. Two months on Big Island of Hawaii , two months on Oahu and two months in Kauai. In May we sail for San Francisco & go to Las Vegas to replenish the cruising kitty J. Fly home to be with family then sail south for San Diego to do another BA HA-HA Race to Mexico where we plan to just “CHILL” for a whole bunch of time.
Thanks to all for your emails, they add much enjoyment to our days
Please remember do not -HIT REPLY- when writing us as it takes time to receive our adventure back and we already have a copy.”Thanks”
After “30 days at Sea”, still Rolling Along, Your amigos Jeff &
Ecuador to Hawaii Days 28-29-30,2012
Statistics:
Day 28= Nov.9th. Pos Lat. 19*04’N. Long.136*13’ W. 24hr. Run=155NM, Weather: Wind NNE at 12-18kts. Partly cloudy Temp.=76-80*.
Day 29 =Pos. Lat.19*33’N. Long. 138*36’W. 24hr. Run=142NM, Weather: Wind NNE at 12-18kts.shifting to east 15-18kts.Cloudy. Temp.=75-77*.
Day 30 Pos, Lat.20*03’N.Long.140*02’W.24hr, run=120NM. ,Weather: Wind East at 12-18kts. Sunny Temp.76-78*
Total miles sailed so far=4,014NM.
Miles left to go=922NM.
The rest of the story:
Day 28-Was fast sailing in nice trades. We are fishing and apparently had a “strike” as our little purple squid is gone and its wire leader appears to have pulled apart where it was crimped back on its self. It is times like this that you wonder if the manufacture knows that the crimp job is no good just so you must buy more lures. ”NOOOOOOO “ of course not that would be dishonest!!
Day 29- We get a wind shift to the east and suddenly we have the wind right on our backs ,one of our least favorite points of sail while in confused seas as we tend to roll around like a “Bee Bee” in a box car. We stay sailing on a broad reach a much more comfortable sail but are very unhappy with our course that is now taking us north of the big Island. The spinnaker would be great but ours is very large and the winds are too strong to fly it, so we run dead downwind with the main on one side and the mizzen on the other. The genoa just keeps popping and snapping because of the roll even on the pole. I am frustrated and Debbie’s mood is just as well, as rolling & heaving gets to be abit much!
Day 30- The winds go lighter and back to the NNE eventually. It was on one of my trips topside I noticed the fishing line no longer trailing behind. Hmmmm! Soon the not so bad problem is discovered a fish has taken our line down and wrapped it up on the wind vane steering. I “shout fish on” and free the line from the wind vane then roll in the headsail to slow the boat. Debbie appears with the gaff and I put on the gloves and start hauling the fish in. When the fish breaks the surface it is a beautiful blue Dorado [Mahi Mahi].It doesn’t take team “Sailors Run” long to haul our catch aboard. Wow this is like going shopping without spending the money. It’s less than one hour later we once again have a full freezer thanks to ‘Mr. 44 “ Dorado and the careful packaging of Debbie.
We should be into Honokahou harbor on the big Island within a week, crossing our fingers.
For those of you wondering about our future plans it goes kind of like this. Six months on the Islands aprox. Two months on Big Island of Hawaii , two months on Oahu and two months in Kauai. In May we sail for San Francisco & go to Las Vegas to replenish the cruising kitty J. Fly home to be with family then sail south for San Diego to do another BA HA-HA Race to Mexico where we plan to just “CHILL” for a whole bunch of time.
Thanks to all for your emails, they add much enjoyment to our days
Please remember do not -HIT REPLY- when writing us as it takes time to receive our adventure back and we already have a copy.”Thanks”
After “30 days at Sea”, still Rolling Along, Your amigos Jeff &
Ecuador to Hawaii Days , 31-32-33, 2012.
Statistics:
Day-31- November 12th. Pos. Lat.20*36’N, Long. 142*58’W. 24hr. Run=129NM Weather: Wind ENE at 12-15kts.Temp. 75-79*.
Day-32.- Pos. Lat. 20*28’N Long. 145*08’W. 24hr. run=115NM. Weather: Wind 10-12kts from East sunny,trade wind sky’s. Temp. 75-77*.
Day-33.- Pos. Lat. 20*07’.N. Long. 147*22’W. 24hr. Run=123NM. Weather: Wind NNE at 10-12kts. Temp. 76-80*.
Total miles sailed so far=4,651NM.
Miles left to go=544NM.
The rest of the story:
Day 31-Veteran’s Day- It was good sailing in seas that have become more uniform and less confused making life more comfortable aboard Sailors Run. It was towards the end of that day that I had decided to put the spinnaker back up as the winds were going light once again. It was when I leaned on the starboard life line to adjust the block on deck when the boat rolled to starboard and the life line suddenly gave way. Fortunately, it had held through the worst of the roll and I was just able to grasp the life line stanchion keeping me on deck. Yes, my life jacket and tether were on and attached however being trolled along the side of the boat at 5-knots would be absolutely no fun.
The life lines are 13-years old and two have already been replaced and now it is obvious the rest must also be replaced. Most sailors know that life lines can also be death lines and ours have reached that point.
Day 32- Was the best sailing so far of the trip. We were not breaking any mileage barriers but under spinnaker in light air with low seas it was almost like not even being on the boat. Debbie was baking brownies in the oven and I was dreaming about eating them. We played cards and didn’t have them sliding all over the cushions like usual. We both rested better and things generally looked brighter.
Debbie spotted our first ship since leaving the coast of Ecuador, a large freighter that came within two miles. It appeared that he actually altered course a few degrees just to get a better look at us. Deb also seen fishing boat lights just over the horizon on one of her night watches.
Day33 -Still under spinnaker and right on course for the south end of the big Island. We have seen no whales out here and there have been no sea birds for the past three days. We get lots of flying fish on deck and toss them of daily a morning ritual. Debbie and I have seen two green flashes at sunset so far and a few shooting stars at night.
We have been at sea 33 days now and I figured we would be arriving on this day but the storm Rosa took us out of that game plan and now it looks like we will make port at Honokahau on Sunday afternoon.
Our clocks are still on Ecuador time 5 hrs ahead of Hawaii so we have some real day light savings going on. It stays light almost until eleven at night and the sun doesn’t rise until about 11AM. We keep the Ecuador time just so we can keep track of all our radio times for getting weather etc.
Just “four more nights”, Your Amigos, Jeff& Debbie
Ecuador to Hawaii Days ,31-32-33, 2012.
Statistics:
Day-31- November 12th. Pos. Lat.20*36’N, Long. 142*58’W. 24hr. Run=129NM Weather: Wind ENE at 12-15kts.Temp. 75-79*.
Day-32.- Pos. Lat. 20*28’N Long. 145*08’W. 24hr. run=115NM. Weather: Wind 10-12kts from East sunny,trade wind sky’s. Temp. 75-77*.
Day-33.- Pos. Lat. 20*07’.N. Long. 147*22’W. 24hr. Run=123NM. Weather: Wind NNE at 10-12kts. Temp. 76-80*.
Total miles sailed so far=4,651NM.
Miles left to go=544NM.
The rest of the story:
Day 31-Veteran’s Day- It was good sailing in seas that have become more uniform and less confused making life more comfortable aboard Sailors Run. It was towards the end of that day that I had decided to put the spinnaker back up as the winds were going light once again. It was when I leaned on the starboard life line to adjust the block on deck when the boat rolled to starboard and the life line suddenly gave way. Fortunately, it had held through the worst of the roll and I was just able to grasp the life line stanchion keeping me on deck. Yes, my life jacket and tether were on and attached however being trolled along the side of the boat at 5-knots would be absolutely no fun.
The life lines are 13-years old and two have already been replaced and now it is obvious the rest must also be replaced. Most sailors know that life lines can also be death lines and ours have reached that point.
Day 32- Was the best sailing so far of the trip. We were not breaking any mileage barriers but under spinnaker in light air with low seas it was almost like not even being on the boat. Debbie was baking brownies in the oven and I was dreaming about eating them. We played cards and didn’t have them sliding all over the cushions like usual. We both rested better and things generally looked brighter.
Debbie spotted our first ship since leaving the coast of Ecuador, a large freighter that came within two miles. It appeared that he actually altered course a few degrees just to get a better look at us. Deb also seen fishing boat lights just over the horizon on one of her night watches.
Day33 -Still under spinnaker and right on course for the south end of the big Island. We have seen no whales out here and there have been no sea birds for the past three days. We get lots of flying fish on deck and toss them of daily a morning ritual. Debbie and I have seen two green flashes at sunset so far and a few shooting stars at night.
We have been at sea 33 days now and I figured we would be arriving on this day but the storm Rosa took us out of that game plan and now it looks like we will make port at Honokahau on Sunday afternoon.
Our clocks are still on Ecuador time 5 hrs ahead of Hawaii so we have some real day light savings going on. It stays light almost until eleven at night and the sun doesn’t rise until about 11AM. We keep the Ecuador time just so we can keep track of all our radio times for getting weather etc.
Just “four more nights”, Your Amigos, Jeff& Debbie
Ecuador to Hawaii Days 34-35-36,2012.
Statistics:
Day-34 Nov.15th Pos. Lat.19*45’N. Long. 19*43’W. 24hr. Run=130NM. Weather: Wind NNE-10-12kts.some squalls. Temp.=75-76*
Day-35 Pos. Lat.19*35’N. Long.152*01’W. 24hr. Run=128NM. Weather: Wind NNE at 10-12kts.Squalls and some rain.Temp.76-80*
Day-36 Pos.19*12’N long.153*41’W. 24hr. Run=118NM. Weather: wind NNE at 10-15kts.Some squalls
Temp.76-77*.
Total miles sailed so far=5,027NM.
Miles left to go 178 NM.
The rest of the story:
Day 34- Found Sailors Run under Spinnaker much of the time trying to keep our speed up. We tossed our red feather lure out and within about two hours hauled in a nice 36”Dorado(mahi mahi) and once again retired the lure. The seas are uncomfortable as we try to hold our nearly dead downwind course.
Day 35- Was spinnaker once again along towards evening as the winds died down. We also caught another Dorado this one is about 40 inches long. The freezer is looking real full now.
It was about one in the morning and I was awoken to the sound of the spinnaker popping and Debbie was on watch and said that it appears a squall is forming right on top of us. I climbed into the cockpit and adjusted the steering to allow for the change in wind direction. Suddenly the wind went from 12kts to 25kts in just seconds. Sailors Run heeled Dramatically trying to dump the force of the wind. Normally that would work but with a spinnaker it does not dump it just broaches the boat [heels the boat broad side to the wind]. I watch as the boat fights to get back up and the huge strains are placed on everything. Debbie is below screaming as she watches water start to poor in through two small windows we had open & preparing to be laying down flat on the wall hanging on, I grab the spinnaker sheet(line) and turn it loose from the winch and Sailors Run pops back up. Debbie throws me my life jacket and harness as she also dawns hers. Soon we are on the fore deck rolling around trying to stay put as we pull the sock down over the “raging popping spinnaker whose sheet line now has huge knots in it threatening to knock the “hell” out of whatever it came in contact with. It only took about 5-minutes to get the spinnaker snuffed but I must admit no task for the faint of heart!!
We rolled the genoa back out after the squall had passed and found dry clothes below. Once again Debbie had done everything that needed to be done and fortunately not that much water got in through the open ports.
Day36- Finds two sailors getting pretty excited to be closing on the Hawaiian Islands. We are both singing “One More Night” and thanks to being on Ecuador time we get an extra 5hrs of day light to get in . We are praying for Sunday afternoon “Yahoo”!!!
We will let you all know about our safe arrival and the final statistics: Ever wonder about that “Rum”???? I must assure you it is one of the things we have not ran out of.
“Looking for Land”, Your Amigo’s, Jeff & Debbie
PLEASE DO NOT PUSH REPLY J THANK YOU
Ecuador to Hawaii 2012 Day 37+9.5hrs.
Statistics:
Day37- Nov.18th. Pos. Lat.18* 57’N Long. 155*51’W. 24hr.Run=139NM. Weather:Wind NE at 12-25kts.Cloudy with a few squalls. Temp 77-80*
Last 9.5hrs.Pos.Honokohau Harbor Island, Hawaii Lat 19*40’N Long.156*01’W.Weather overcast with light breeze from NW. Temp 80*
Total miles sailed on the passage= 5217NM average boat speed =5.8kts. Average 24hr. run=139NM. Total Diesel consumed 20-gallons; miles per gallon=260 NM.per gallon
The end of the story:
The last day and a half we were out, was time spent with lots of mixed feelings and emotions. The biggest thing was the voyage was rapidly coming to a close and we both felt “It’s about time”!! We are both very tired of rolling around in confused seas all the time having to deal with the elements. I don’t think we will be doing any day sails any time soon around Hawaii. So many days at sea tends to gradually grind you down making the simple tasks seem very trying at times.
We caught a nice football sized tuna on our 37th day and retired the fishing gear for the voyage. Debbie had baked it in the oven,& in the rolling seas, while taking the pan out, the pan touched her forearm & she got a burnt, luckily not bad. She had said she had been very careful this whole trip on not getting hurt & damn! On the last day!!
Our sail around the south end of the big Island was exhilarating hitting speeds over eight knots and all in the sight of that mystical thing called ”LAND”. We both had tears in our eyes as deb shouts-LAND,LAND!!
We were met by our friend Mikie & John Nunn from the yacht La Duena who have lived on the Island for quit sometime & we has spent time with them 7 yrs ago while here, it was great to see a happy ,familiar face at the fuel dock and they took our bow lines securing us once again to the land. They produced a cold 6-pack of Longboard beer, two humongous cheese burgers in paradise from the local restaurant and a bottle of champagne. “Wow” how cool was that. Funny, they sat on the dock & we sat on our boat eating our dinners & visiting as were not allowed to get off the boat as yet,J
We called customs to get checked in, but they did not answer our messages. Hopefully today we get checked in as it would be nice to finally do some land walking. Needless to say, we both slept like ROCKS in our boat that was setting so still on the water..
Thanks to all of you that rode along with us on this adventure and stayed in touch by email. The communication coming in while at sea is so very special.
“ALOHA and HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you all , Your Amigos safely tied to the shore J, Jeff & Debbie
I have to admit that I’m a late bloomer to the computer age, but putting that aside I decided to take a quantum leap into the future. So I decide my windows 98 program has to go and lets have that windows #8.