Motor Sailing

Position: 27 degrees, 38 minutes south; 175 degrees, 06 minutes east (135 NM day)

The distance of 135 miles we covered today included a “detour” left 90 degree turn for 12 miles as well. More on that below.

We’ve been motor sailing since 2000 last evening (it’s now 0300). Yep, we’re finally having to use the engine. The wind has dropped to nothing and there are two weather systems that we need to deal with. One is south of us, the other to the north.

The one to the south is going to bring headwinds making it impossible to go directly to Opua. We’ll have to tack 50 or 60 degrees to one side, then the same to the other. Why up to 60 degrees you ask? Most sailboats can easily tack 45 degrees each side of the wind. So can Charisma in calm water. But with 6-9 foot swells and two foot wind chop on top of that, it’s impossible to sail so “close” to the wind. The waves just stop Charisma dead in her tracks. So we have to bear away an extra 15 degrees to gain the power we need to punch through the waves. Anyway, the further south we go now under power – direct to our destination, the less tacking back and forth later.

The system to the north of us is further away, but more concerning if we dawdle. There’s a strong chance of a tropical depression forming south of Fiji by Saturday/Sunday. This will bring storm level winds and seas – well north of us, but the influence will still be felt almost all the way to NZ. Gale force winds down to 30 degrees south and strong winds and rain even further. We’d like to put as much distance between us and it as we can.

So, motor it is. Sigh. To add to the indignity, we’re not even getting our full speed due to an adverse current in this area. We’re showing up to one knot slower due to current.

Oh, was I just complaining about the current? Neptune must have heard. Now I see lightning. We’re getting near that frontal system I guess. Oh, now it’s started raining. Time to suck it up and break out the foul weather gear.

That’s one thing about distance voyaging. You take what you get. You can’t just close the door and decide to go back to sleep because it looks like a tough day. You have to deal with whatever.

One thought on “Motor Sailing

  1. This passage sounds like work……always being aware of the weather around you, ahead of you, and even behind you. Floating debris to avoid. And the oh-so-dreaded lightning. Motoring as fast as you can to avoid all of that sounds like a excellent plan. I hope you don’t have to wear that foul weather gear for long. And once you get back to NZ you will be quite ready for some “down” time. Hang in (or hang on) there. Good thoughts and many prayers for getting to your destination – lightning free!!

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