Position: 00 degrees, 25 minutes North; 125 degrees, 13 minutes West
We’re very near actually being in the SOUTH Pacific. After getting out of the ITCZ storm belt, we had some easy sailing as we headed another hundred miles or so toward the equator. Yesterday, we were on the edge of the doldrums. With only 3-6 knots of wind, we put up the spinnaker and had a nice long run from 1500 all through the night until about 0400 when the wind came up for a while and we were able to use the jib. It was amazing. We were steering about 190 degrees which had us aiming right at the Southern Cross. An amazing constellation. Since it’s right on the polar axis, it rotates through the night, but doesn’t move across the sky. It’s always due South. Anyway, sometime in the late morning the wind finally, completely quit. After all we’re in the doldrums. So for the first time in 16 days, we used the engine to move us forward and motored for about four hours to get through the lack of wind. About 1600 we were only about 60 miles from the equator and seemed to have entered the edge of the trade-winds. Since then we have had a nice 10 knots breeze from the East, very warm weather and nice long period swells out of the Southeast. Since we’re so close to the equator and it’s now dark, we have a double reef in the main and rolled up most of the jib to just slow us down. We’re just chunking along at about 2 knots and sometime in the early hours, when we get to within about 5 miles or so, I’m going to heave to, go to bed and just wait until morning, so we can enjoy the crossing in the daylight.
We’re also waiting for daylight since there are the requisite ceremonies that must be performed to help our transformations from pollywogs to shellbacks. I made the grevious mistake of letting Ann be in charge of costumes again. Thus, she is going to be King Neptune and I find out, I’m to be…a mermaid. When will I learn? Oh well, all in good fun. We’ll take pictures. We also have champagne being chilled, etc, etc. so tomorrow is a big day. Then on to the final push. We’re less than 1000 miles. Since all of this time will be in the trades, we’ll expect 100++ mile days which puts us in Hiva Oa sometime within the next (my guess) 7 to 9 days. We’ll see.
Oh, and the Tuna was most excellent.
Wow…hell of a couple of days. Bob-O, don’t you know not to fly through T-storms? Don’t boats have some type of grounding wire for the electric skies? Like houses? Maybe you need some rubber wheels on that thing.:) You have certainly impressed me with your sailing skills. Now, how about the cannon thing? Can you hit anything with grape shot?
Congrats on becoming frogs or whatever you change into on the other side of the equator. Let me know which way the water spins down the drain. Glad to hear the wind and weather gods are being nicer to you. May the rest of the journey be peaceful.
Cant wait to see the pictures!! sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone to get to the other side!! xxxoo Joan
I wish I was there to see the crossing ceremony!!! I’m sure the pictures alone won’t do it justice (though I am excited to see those as well). I hope you take some movies!!
I’ve learned so much following the blog… mostly what ITCZ is thanks to google. I also figured how to use the google earth to track your progress. I love maps. It has been a very exciting read, I’m hooked. 🙂 I’ve been thinking of you all day wondering how it is to cross the equator. An Amazing Adventure for sure!! Stay Safe Please!!
How exciting! Like others, I am looking forward to seeing pictures. I have a strong visual of the southern cross, since we just saw it in Africa. It’s very special for those of us that don’t see it often!