Total distance sailed so far: 4492 nm.(in miles-5169)
Distance sailed last three days=371 nm.(426.9)
Day-31.
24 hr.Run: 116 nm. Pos. Lat. 35*57’N Long.139* 50′ W.
Weather: Wind: 7-12 kts .South. Seas 4-6 ft.S. Course=104*T
Speed: 6 kts. Cabin Temp at 7 am=62*. Bar.=1012 mb. down 1-mb.
The Rest of the Story.
Today was just smooth sailing in the right direction in light winds. I had the fishing line out yet again but no joy. During the day it did warm up to 66* and with that warm air from the south coming in over these cool waters I found myself immersed in advection fog with 100 yards of visibility in all directions except up where I could see quite clearly the sun 93-million miles away.
The ship traffic is starting to pick up seeing three ships on AIS today and during the night one huge ship a 1,000-feet long and 150-feet wide came within 1.5 miles. That ship received a radio call from Sailors Run to be sure they seen us out here. They assured me they did and said they would be passing on my starboard side and with that I said fine I will then maintain my course and all worked out well. The ship was hauling hazardous waste from the west down to Panama, and it made me wonder what it was and where it came from and where was it going. I just couldn’t bring myself to ask those questions that I doubted very much would be answered or if they did they might have to alter course a few degrees and “take me out”.
Staying out of the way out here in the Pacific, El Jefe’
Day-32.
24 hr.Run=135 nm. Pos. Lat.35*14’N Long.137*32’W.
Weather: Wind: WNW 7-15 kts. Seas:WNW 4-6 ft. Course: 083*T.
Speed: 6 kts. Cabin temp at 7 am=60* Bar=1016 mb. up 4 mb.
The Rest of the Story.
Sailing nicely in light winds and decided once again to put the not so effective squid lure out again. I had grabbed a quick nap about 2 pm, now things are getting strange out here time wise as I’m still on Marshall Island’s time. It’s light at 3 am and dark just after 4 pm on my clock.
After my one hour siesta I went on deck to have a look about and it was then I noticed that the “meat line” had been yanked clear of the deck and was pulled up tight around a cleat it was wrapped off on. We have had a strike and this is one of the problems that can occur when fishing in a vast fishing hole where the size of the fish is a mystery. This mystery is pretty much solved as my 150 lb. test line on the bungy cord has been snapped and all the gear lost. Hmmm!
This occurs out here on a regular basis as the size of the lure does not dictate the size of fish that will hit it. Let’s compare it to trying to stop a submarine once hooked in about three feet,”not going to happen”. Now with a powerful real with lots of line and distance to slow it down you might have better success. At this point I have to chock this one up to another one that got away. I rig up another lure and toss it back out, hoping that the next victim will be of a size that is manageable. Sometimes I think I would sooner starve than play this game, but out here that could be the actual reality so I will keep just keep on trying.
What lurks beneath the sea? El Jefe’
Day-33.
24 hr.Run: 120 nm. Pos. Lat. 35*26’N Long.135*10’W.
Weather: Wind:5-12 kts N. Seas=3-5 ft. N. Course=90*T
Speed 5 kts. cabin temp. at 7 am=60* Bar.=1016 mb. Steady.
The Rest of the Story.
The winds have remained light over the past 24 hrs. We are able to sail the course although slowly at times.
I’m trying to figure out where all my energy is going as I have not had much to do the past few days and seem to want to eat like a horse. The strange thing is I seem to gain no weight and the only reason I can think of for this to be the case is the cold.
You see the boat has become very damp inside with cool temperatures no heat and fog. I feel I’m burning lots of energy just trying to keep my core temperature up. I must admit I’m looking very much forward to taking a plunge to the south and the warmer temperatures that should start coming my way.
I was thinking about the miles I will have sailed over the past 13.5 months upon arrival in Mazatlan. The total mileage will be about 14,000 nm.(in miles-16,110) and the amazing thing is out of the 13.5 months I spent seven months was home with Debbie.
So I guess I have been living a leisurely cruising life style where I happened to sail 14,000 nm. in 6.5 months. No”freaking” wonder I need to return to Mexico and “chill” for awhile.
Trying to get there El Jefe’.