En Route to the Galapagos - 9 April 2024

Charles and I were on the 11.00am to 2.00am watch and we were sailing well although slightly off course but that was ok. It was a quite watch but as the watch went on the wind was increasing so we decided to put a reef (shorten) the main which we did just before we came off watch.

As the wind increased and the sea state became more uncomfortable Mark and Joyce out further reefs in the main and the genoa. Even so the motion of the boat was lumpy as we were beating (sailing close to the wind) and we were also healing. This makes doing anything more complicated and difficult. It also does not make sleeping easy.

I got up about 6.00am as I heard heavy rain and I sat with Keith and Angus in the cockpit watching and listening and after about half an hour it stopped and the sun gradually came out. We were sailing quite well with a similar sail plan but 30 degrees or so off course. In looking at the weather – Predict wind said that the wind would start to die off by 5.00pm. We therefore thought we should sail as much as we could as when the wind died we could motor directly on our course.

Charles and I came on at 8.00am and started to release some of the reefs as the wind was not so strong. We had breakfast and then did our daily checks and galley cleaning.  We shortened sail for lunch to make things calmer and then sailed as best we could again. The agent in the Galapagos needed an ETA so we worked out that we should get there on the 12th at our current rate and we suggested 9.30 -11.00am as times. They said they would send the inspectors of the boat at 11.00am.

We thought this should be doable and by 5.00pm the wind did start to die and we put on the engine. It was not looking like there would be anymore wind until about midnight on the 10th. This meant we need to make 5.7kts to make our target and at present we are doing this without wanting to burn too much diesel.

At about 4.30-5.00pm we were descended upon by a flock of boobie birds. We had had one before which we thought was nice but the aftereffects of the poop he left behind were not nice and Keith had to clear it up. We therefore did not want to encourage these visitors. Despite this at one point we had at least 6 sitting on the pulpit and anchor on the front. Angus was sent forward to despatch them nicely and they are quite tame so he had to go quite close to ask them politely to leave – all we could hear was P off!! It did not take long before they were back and I then went forward and they did move. However, it was getting dark and we did not want to be unkind and were fighting a losing battle as we could not monitor the front all night.

Mark went to look through the freezer and the top 2/3rds was frozen, but the bottom was not, so we had to throw a lot of veg away. We have put it on full and will have to monitor it and I hope we do not have an issue with it.

He cooked a delicious salmon supper with Teriyaki sauce which we all enjoyed as the sun came down. We are now motoring directly to San Cristobel and whilst there is some swell Stormbird is a lot flatter. Although there is the noise of the engine you get used to it after a while and it is comforting in a way to hear it going hour after hour speeding us to our special destination.

Distance 24 hour run at 12.00noon 149nm.

Opportunity for any Readers/Sailors.

In late May 2024 we shall be in the Marquesas in French Polynesia, and we will then move through to the Tuamotu’s before getting to Tahiti about the end of July 2024. There may be some space on Stormbird during this period should any sailor/reader be interested in joining for this period or part of it in what must be one of the most distant and beautiful places in the world.

In addition, in year two I will be going up the Eastern Australian Coast, Indonesia and probably across the Indian Ocean to Cape Town and I will need some more crew.

If there is any interest do email me at  hine.nick9@gmail.com  

The blog will continue as we head off to the Galapagos and beyond.

If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com  I can only upload one picture a day and visit our website www.stormbirdgoesglobal.co.uk