Galapagos to Marquesas –13 May 2024 – Day 12 – Mixed Weather Day

Our watches in the night were uneventful as the wind was low and we were moving slowly between 5.5 and 6.5 kts. It was peaceful and the moon came out and gave an almost spotlight feel across the water. We chatted away and watched the stars as we made a few miles.

The plan was to put up the Blue Baron at around breakfast and the sun rose about 5.45am and it was a pleasant sunny day with the wind a little higher but still gentle. Mark was up a bit early and Charles and I were on shift until 8.00am. Mark wanted to clear out the rest of the freezer and set about it. Unfortunately, there were a number of packets of food to be disposed of and there was a rather unpleasant smelling soup which had been fermenting at the bottom. It was a horrible job and the smell was awful. We found 4 packs of bacon but concluded we should not risk it so these were disposed of too.

Keith and Ian got up and Keith made scrambled eggs on toast which was great and much enjoyed in the cockpit on a warm sunny morning. We saw many flying fish and the odd bird but little else although there was one purple/blue fish swimming along in the bow wave a bit like what dolphins do. We are not trying to catch fish at present as we need to finish up the meals we were able to salvage from the freezer. Before we could fly the Blue Baron we had to change one of the ropes as it was a bit short and once done we rigged all the lines and hoisted the Parasail. It went up easily and we are now beginning to get the hang of this but it does take 5 of us. We were soon zooming along at 8-8.5 kts and almost due west which was a great angle we could achieve. We sailed along like this all morning and it was fast and smooth sailing as the Parasail seems to flatten the effects of the swell.

We had a wrap for lunch with tuna and sweetcorn and salad and the afternoon began to pass. I had to do a number of emails and have managed to order another battery to replace the bad 12 volt battery and hopefully it will be in Nuku Hiva when I arrive. I am also trying to get some more macerator and toilet water pumps should there be further failures.

As we have the 2-5am watch in the night I went to get some rest. I was woken from a deep sleep by Mark about 3.00pm to say we need to get the Parasail down and all hands on deck. I quickly dressed and joined the others. Although the wind was not too strong, behind us was a large mass of menacing black clouds and that meant rain and more wind.  Charles, Keith, Ian and I went on deck and Mark released the sheet (rope attached to the Parasail) and then we pulled on the snuffer and down came the sail. We then got it on deck and tied it down on top of Puffin just as the rain came down. It took us a little time to secure the sail and then we returned to the cockpit somewhat damp. This was not forecast. The wind came up so we put out the  Staysail – the small front sail and the wind rose to 27 kts with rain and blustery conditions. The sea state became disturbed and we all thought it was a typical day in the solent!!! It was lucky we spotted this as if the Parasail was still up it would not be good in 27 kts.

Charles and I came on watch at 4.00pm and the rain came and went and we even put on our wet weather gear – not what we expected. During this time the rain came down and there were further rain clouds so we had to make several sail changes so that when the wind got stronger we reefed the main and sometimes changed the genoa for the staysail. It gradually got dark and you realise why we would probably not fly the Parasail at night as it is difficult to see rainclouds coming in the dark.

The result of bringing down the Parasail is that we are back on to white sails again and the angle of sail is less easy. We studied the weather again and decided we will try and keep in a band of 4.0 degrees and 4.40 degrees to keep in the wind (as to the north the wind declines and there seems to be a wind hole and to the south less wind and no models recommend that) and on course. We will therefore make a series of gybes over the next few days to meander along the course we want to go.

Keith and Ian made another great stew with mashed potato and red cabbage and we sat in the dark enjoying it despite the dampness of the air. Hopefully the rain will stay away overnight otherwise we shall be busy changing sails and of course gybing. On a positive note at least the deck got a wash!!

It had been a day of two weathers and due to the low wind we only made 149nm for the 24 hour period.

Crewing Opportunity

We will arrive in the Marquesas in French Polynesia about 20-23 May 2024 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.

Year Two

In addition, in year two I will be going from New Zealand in early January 2025 across to Sydney and 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 Marquesas 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