Noon position 4/8/16: 18 32.3697 N 116 47.1293W
Noon to noon distance travelled: 97 nm
Total distance travelled: 689 nm
What a difference a day makes. Conditions are good, we are comfortable, and we all got good sleep. Things were feeling pretty bad here yesterday with little sleep and getting bounced all over with the chaotic swell. We are glad to be past it for now.
To ensure we could get as much rest yesterday as possible without having to deal with actually sailing the boat we just double reefed the main, reefed the mizzen and flew the stays'l. It was a hands off sailing day, but it can be seen in our mileage. Less than 100 miles, but morale is good, so it's totally worth it.
We are planning on bathing today, the whole lot of us. Looking forward to it, and I'm sure it will smell better around here!
Friday, April 8, 2016
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Day 5 to Hawaii
Noon to noon distance travelled: 108 nm
Total distance travelled: 592 nm
Tired is the word of the day. After the rough night I mentioned yesterday, we were going to use yesterday to recover. Unfortunately, conditions just kept changing, and as soon as Tor had been trying to nap for 45 minutes, I would need to get him up for a sail change. It happened numerous times, and if we weren't quite so tired, it would have been almost comical.
Tor was able to get some sleep last night, and conditions have improved, so we are trying for a recovery day today. So far it's working I think.
In news from the boat today, I read The BFG to the boys and make it about a chapter before needing to close my eyes, so far the boys have been pretty accepting. We are running the engine to charge up batteries. I think we will be using the power of screen time to get some more rest for the adults, we have lots of movies on our laptop which is charging right now while the engine is on. I'm trying something new, attaching a photo to this post, I hope it works, if it does, this is what our berth looks like right now :).
Nothing much else exciting around here. We are looking forward to different sailing conditions so we can get more rest and have the boys start enjoying time out of our berth where the have sequestered themselves.
Believe it or not, things are actually good here. We are making miles, everyone is happy and we've got lots of good food to eat. Just a bit tired, and when we get caught up, I suspect that everything will seem a bit rosier.
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Day 4 to Hawaii
Noon position 4/6/16: 19 09.9380 N 113 20.2755 W
Noon to noon distance travelled: 129 nm
Total distance travelled: 484 nm
We spent most of yesterday afternoon reaching, which this boat loves. The swell was low, and the wind was brisk which led to a very comfortable, very fast afternoon. 50 of the miles covered were in the first 8 hours of 24. Speedy!
Around dark we decided to reduce sail, the wind picked up and it was feeling just on the edge of comfort. With a 6 foot long bowsprit with our jib hanked on to the end of it, we've learned it's not much fun to try and take down in any sort of a sea state, or when the wind is really piping. So we got the jib down and were running under reefed main and mizzen alone. It was getting dark and boys were ready for bed, so we decided not to hank on the stays'l. We were sailing along just fine, Tor on deck and the boys and I down below reading the BFG by Roald Dahl (great book!). About a chapter in, the seastate picked up and was confused and really uncomfortable. We were bouncing around a lot. It felt pretty chaotic on deck, so Tor decided to let me keep sleeping below with the boys, and he stayed up on deck all night. He caught sleep here and there by laying down in the hard steel deck, whatta guy!
This though is where our decision to not hank on the stays'l proved to be unfortunate. With just the main and the mizzen flying, the rig was a bit unbalanced. Twice in the night the seastate tossed us about so much that the windvane was overpowered and we found ourselves pointed directly into the wind, in irons. We were stuck so well that we had to turn the engine on to give us enough maneuverability to fall off and keep sailing. With a headsail, we probably wouldn't have run into that problem, but hey, we are always learning!
This morning we are still sailing along (yes, with a headsail) and playing catch up. Things are still pretty bouncy so the boys are choosing to stay in our berth looking at Where's Waldo books and Tor is sleeping. The wind has moderated, so hopefully the seastate will follow suit and we will all feel a bit better soon.
Noon to noon distance travelled: 129 nm
Total distance travelled: 484 nm
We spent most of yesterday afternoon reaching, which this boat loves. The swell was low, and the wind was brisk which led to a very comfortable, very fast afternoon. 50 of the miles covered were in the first 8 hours of 24. Speedy!
Around dark we decided to reduce sail, the wind picked up and it was feeling just on the edge of comfort. With a 6 foot long bowsprit with our jib hanked on to the end of it, we've learned it's not much fun to try and take down in any sort of a sea state, or when the wind is really piping. So we got the jib down and were running under reefed main and mizzen alone. It was getting dark and boys were ready for bed, so we decided not to hank on the stays'l. We were sailing along just fine, Tor on deck and the boys and I down below reading the BFG by Roald Dahl (great book!). About a chapter in, the seastate picked up and was confused and really uncomfortable. We were bouncing around a lot. It felt pretty chaotic on deck, so Tor decided to let me keep sleeping below with the boys, and he stayed up on deck all night. He caught sleep here and there by laying down in the hard steel deck, whatta guy!
This though is where our decision to not hank on the stays'l proved to be unfortunate. With just the main and the mizzen flying, the rig was a bit unbalanced. Twice in the night the seastate tossed us about so much that the windvane was overpowered and we found ourselves pointed directly into the wind, in irons. We were stuck so well that we had to turn the engine on to give us enough maneuverability to fall off and keep sailing. With a headsail, we probably wouldn't have run into that problem, but hey, we are always learning!
This morning we are still sailing along (yes, with a headsail) and playing catch up. Things are still pretty bouncy so the boys are choosing to stay in our berth looking at Where's Waldo books and Tor is sleeping. The wind has moderated, so hopefully the seastate will follow suit and we will all feel a bit better soon.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
day 3 to Hawaii
4/5/16 noon position: 19 deg 42' 20.663" N 111 deg 10' 33.228" W
Noon to noon distance travelled: 108 nm
The wind has been steady for us, and we are ticking down the miles. Merlin our windvane has been doing all the hard work steering, so we just get to live our lives as usual, but our house is moving. It got a little boisterous this morning, and sea sickness briefly returned for Odin, but he went right back to playing, and more accurately pestering Lars, so I think he was feeling just fine.
I got a solid 5.5 hours of sleep last night, and a short nap this morning, but unlike yesterday my energy levels are pretty low. Unfortunately that means my patience reserves are low too, and I've been getting pretty irritated with the well rested boys. Makes me, and them feel bad, so I will try to get a nap in this afternoon and hopefully have more energy and be less crabby!
Tor is making lunch and I'm taking advantage of some quiet time in the cockpit. Phew! Get it when you can on a 32' boat!
All is well for our little crew and we are excited about our progress so far.
Noon to noon distance travelled: 108 nm
The wind has been steady for us, and we are ticking down the miles. Merlin our windvane has been doing all the hard work steering, so we just get to live our lives as usual, but our house is moving. It got a little boisterous this morning, and sea sickness briefly returned for Odin, but he went right back to playing, and more accurately pestering Lars, so I think he was feeling just fine.
I got a solid 5.5 hours of sleep last night, and a short nap this morning, but unlike yesterday my energy levels are pretty low. Unfortunately that means my patience reserves are low too, and I've been getting pretty irritated with the well rested boys. Makes me, and them feel bad, so I will try to get a nap in this afternoon and hopefully have more energy and be less crabby!
Tor is making lunch and I'm taking advantage of some quiet time in the cockpit. Phew! Get it when you can on a 32' boat!
All is well for our little crew and we are excited about our progress so far.
Monday, April 4, 2016
Day 2 to Hawaii
Noon position: 19 39.3371 N 109 18.2130 W
Miles travelled in last (slightly more than) 24 hr period: 104
Sea legs seem to be well on their way to our little ship in the big blue ocean. Conditions calmed down considerably and Lars and Odin have been able to keep food and drink down, whew. When tummies are happier, spirits are higher.
Of course the moderating conditions came at the expense of wind to sail. We brought out the light air sails to keep things moving even though the downwind sails meant we made more south than we really wanted to, but it was pretty slow, so not too much!
Overnight we motored slowly and this morning turned the motor off for more good sailing. Currently conditions are looking like we might be getting into the light air sail category again.
All is well on our little ship!
Miles travelled in last (slightly more than) 24 hr period: 104
Sea legs seem to be well on their way to our little ship in the big blue ocean. Conditions calmed down considerably and Lars and Odin have been able to keep food and drink down, whew. When tummies are happier, spirits are higher.
Of course the moderating conditions came at the expense of wind to sail. We brought out the light air sails to keep things moving even though the downwind sails meant we made more south than we really wanted to, but it was pretty slow, so not too much!
Overnight we motored slowly and this morning turned the motor off for more good sailing. Currently conditions are looking like we might be getting into the light air sail category again.
All is well on our little ship!
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Day 1 Position Report
At noon today we are at a position of 19 48.7494 N 107 33.071 W. Since leaving Puerto Vallarta yesterday around 10:30 am, we've made it 143 miles! Not a bad first day.
The sailing yesterday and last night was fairly boisterous. We were close reaching so had a fair bit of heel, and the seas were pretty rocky and rolly. We definitely had to hold on, but we were flying, staying above 6 kts all night. It felt great to be ticking miles off even if the ride wasn't very comfortable. Conditions have moderated this morning and we are only doing about 4 kts, but the ride is much more comfortable and we are still making progress to Hawaii.
We are very much in the adjustment to life at sea phase. Both Odin and Lars have stayed in our berth down below since about an hour after we left. Odin has been pretty seasick, but now that conditions have mellowed, he seems to be keeping liquids down. Thank goodness for ginger ale. Lars seems to be feeling better, but about an hour ago he vomited spectacularly, however his spirits are great and they will both be getting their sea legs soon. I feel great, if a little sleepy and Tor is doing okay as long as he is on deck.
All in all things are going quite well, but I look forward to everyone having their sea legs and being able to go on with normal life albeit at sea on a small boat.
I had a new experience on night watch last night, two squid somehow landed on deck. Unfortunately I discovered one of them by stepping on it and squishing it all over the deck. Ick.
The sailing yesterday and last night was fairly boisterous. We were close reaching so had a fair bit of heel, and the seas were pretty rocky and rolly. We definitely had to hold on, but we were flying, staying above 6 kts all night. It felt great to be ticking miles off even if the ride wasn't very comfortable. Conditions have moderated this morning and we are only doing about 4 kts, but the ride is much more comfortable and we are still making progress to Hawaii.
We are very much in the adjustment to life at sea phase. Both Odin and Lars have stayed in our berth down below since about an hour after we left. Odin has been pretty seasick, but now that conditions have mellowed, he seems to be keeping liquids down. Thank goodness for ginger ale. Lars seems to be feeling better, but about an hour ago he vomited spectacularly, however his spirits are great and they will both be getting their sea legs soon. I feel great, if a little sleepy and Tor is doing okay as long as he is on deck.
All in all things are going quite well, but I look forward to everyone having their sea legs and being able to go on with normal life albeit at sea on a small boat.
I had a new experience on night watch last night, two squid somehow landed on deck. Unfortunately I discovered one of them by stepping on it and squishing it all over the deck. Ick.
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Leaving Mexico
Our time remaining in Mexico is coming to a close, sniff! We sure have loved it, but it's time to head out on new adventures. We have our final checkout inspection with Customs scheduled for 9:00 this morning, then we are off to Hawaii! Winds aren't shaping up for a fast passage, but we will have plenty of food.
The to do list is mostly crossed off, so we are feeling pretty ready, some final stowing so we are ready for sea and then it will be good enough. A week ago, we left La Cruz for the Marina in Puerto Vallarta in order to be closer to provisioning stores, and be away from the distractions of La Cruz, We have been able to get a lot of work done while still having time to do some exploring in Puerto Vallarta. Old town is great, as is the Zona Romantica and we've had some really good, shrimp heavy meals.
Riki Tiki Tavi came down from La Cruz for a last good visit and to see us off. It's been wonderful to be with them, our families have become very, very close. But we are starting to experience that terrible part of cruising, saying goodbye to dear friends. Odin is bereft about saying goodbye to Neli and Liam. He was totally exhausted night before last which certainly compounded things, but he basically cried himself to sleep. I rubbed his back until he fell asleep for the first time since he was a toddler. Tough, tough, tough!
But, we are excited about the passage, and excited about Hawaii. We have two newly minted swimmers that will be ready for snorkeling when we get there! Can't wait for some family snorkel time! They also have been able to try out boogie boarding, so I think that once we get to Hawaii, Yare will be sporting a couple of new boards for lots of beach play.
The passage is about 2800 miles and given that winds aren't shaping up for a fast passage, we are guessing it'll take us close to 4 weeks to get there. We have plenty of food, and I hope reading material! I plan to post to the blog from our satellite phone daily with a short update of our position and progress towards our goal, plus anything else that seems noteworthy :).
I hope to have time to catch up on the blog while we are at sea, we've had a wonderful time in and around Banderas Bay since we last posted. But I haven't even had time to download photos from the camera, let alone blog over the last month.
We're off!
The to do list is mostly crossed off, so we are feeling pretty ready, some final stowing so we are ready for sea and then it will be good enough. A week ago, we left La Cruz for the Marina in Puerto Vallarta in order to be closer to provisioning stores, and be away from the distractions of La Cruz, We have been able to get a lot of work done while still having time to do some exploring in Puerto Vallarta. Old town is great, as is the Zona Romantica and we've had some really good, shrimp heavy meals.
Riki Tiki Tavi came down from La Cruz for a last good visit and to see us off. It's been wonderful to be with them, our families have become very, very close. But we are starting to experience that terrible part of cruising, saying goodbye to dear friends. Odin is bereft about saying goodbye to Neli and Liam. He was totally exhausted night before last which certainly compounded things, but he basically cried himself to sleep. I rubbed his back until he fell asleep for the first time since he was a toddler. Tough, tough, tough!
But, we are excited about the passage, and excited about Hawaii. We have two newly minted swimmers that will be ready for snorkeling when we get there! Can't wait for some family snorkel time! They also have been able to try out boogie boarding, so I think that once we get to Hawaii, Yare will be sporting a couple of new boards for lots of beach play.
The passage is about 2800 miles and given that winds aren't shaping up for a fast passage, we are guessing it'll take us close to 4 weeks to get there. We have plenty of food, and I hope reading material! I plan to post to the blog from our satellite phone daily with a short update of our position and progress towards our goal, plus anything else that seems noteworthy :).
I hope to have time to catch up on the blog while we are at sea, we've had a wonderful time in and around Banderas Bay since we last posted. But I haven't even had time to download photos from the camera, let alone blog over the last month.
We're off!
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