THIS IS WHAT I HAD SEEN A HUMPBACK WHALE WAVING AT ME
Miles sailed so far=6076 nm.(in miles 6992)
Miles sailed last three days 407 (468)
Day-43.
24hr.Run: 166 nm. Pos.Lat.25*06′ N. Long. 114*03 W.
Weather: Wind:15 -18 kts N. Seas 6-10 feet N.Course=112*T.
Speed: 6.5 kts. Cabin Temp at 7 am=65*. Bar: 1008 mb.down 4 mb.
The Rest of the Story.
Still dodging ships on the Baja Coast and having some fine sailing as well. We are approaching the area of light winds on the Baja Coast that is the area south of Bahia Santa Maria to Cabo.
I hold out hope that we might luck out and get to Cabo with out losing our wind. Next is crossing the Southern End of the Sea of Cortez. I’m hoping for some northerly flow down from the Sea of Cortez, of course only time will tell on that.
Food continues to become more scarce aboard Sailors Run. I finished off the last of the potatoes at breakfast and there is but one onion left aboard. Yesterday I consumed my last diet coke and now I will be forced to drink healthier juices. I have two apples left and that is pretty good as I hope to have but 3 more days yet to go in this voyage. All of these great estimates are based on the fluky winds in the area at this time.
Looking into my “crystal ball” for more wind in the area, El Jefe’.
Day-44.
24hr.Run: 130 nm. Pos. Lat. 24*09’N. Long..113*09′ W.
Weather:Wind:10-15 kts.N. Seas:4-6 feet. Course=115* T
Speed:4.6 kts. Cabin Temp.=68* warming up nicely and bar:1008 mb. Steady.
The Rest of the Story.
I’m closing with the baja Coast and now in the proximity of Bahia Santa Maria, the winds are dying down as is to be expected in this area. The other major change is that there are more boats that do not have AIS transmitters. During the night I seen three vessels in my close proximity that were only visible on radar. The key thing here is do not rely on AIS for your total safety at sea. You must also consider that reefs and Islands do not emit an AIS position single nor do military vessels or pirates of the sea. Radar is as good as it gets for letting you be aware of hazards along your course line, and some times that is not enough if it is a small fishing vessel made of fiberglass displaying a light, You must look into the inky darkness of the night to avoid collision.
Here along the Baja Coast my awareness is at a heightened level all the time and I’m sure I will be exhausted upon arrival at Mazatlan, Mexico.
Keeping a “sharp eye peeled” El Jefe’
Day-45.
24hr.Run: 111 nm. Pos. Lat.23*15’N Long.110*37′ W.
Weather:Wind 5-12 kts wind direction variable .Seas:2-3 ft.
Course124*T. Speed 4 kts.Cabin Temp at 7am=68*. Bar: 1008 mb. Steady.
The Rest of the Story:
Temperatures are warming up and I enjoyed 75* today and had a rum drink out in the cockpit. I was just sitting there sailing along when suddenly I heard this strange rush of water sound and looked over the port rail to see a large Hump Back Whale coming from the opposite direction right next to the boat when it rolled on its side holding up one of those great white fins and it was bent over towards me like he was waving at me. I have to admit that got my adrenaline running and as I looked forward I seen a second whale coming straight at me when suddenly he blew and dove going Directly under sailors Run “Holy Crap”. It makes you wonder what you miss when you are below decks in cold weather.
Today I hauled the anchor chain out of where I had it stored amid ships and put it back in the forward chain locker as my rough weather is behind me now.
It is looking like My arrival in Mazatlan will most likely be on Tuesday the 16th of April.
Getting closer, El Jefe’.