Galapagos to Marquesas –15 May 2024 – Day 14

It was a slow night with wind strength between 8-11 kts and we were only making 4.5 – 5.5 kts which is slow for us and we were not in for a long distance day. It meant a relatively quiet night and we were moving forward slowly and you could hear the rustle of the water down the side of the hull. The moon was out lighting our way and we were making toward a waypoint some hundreds of miles away.

There was nothing we could do so we just have to enjoy the moment and go with the flow. It meant good sleep as there was little roll and I got up a little early and had a cup of tea and looked at the weather. We needed to gybe and as the models had changed we had a new course to try and follow. Charles and I came watch at 8.00am. It was another warm sunny day small high-pressure clouds and a relatively calm sea and we were still in light winds although we were beginning to make about 6 kts.  We started to do our daily checks and then once Mark was up he made us all eggy bread which we had with cinnamon sugar and/or maple syrup. What a great start to the day.

We then decided to gybe and put up the Blue Baron and this time we headed for a new waypoint and with the angle we can sail the Blue Baron we were right on course. This increased our speed to about 6.5 kts despite the light wind. We then had what has become known as Skipper’s coffee which fresh coffee I make every morning and which we all enjoy. Otherwise instant coffee is drunk.

We sailed along at this sort of pace all day  and It was flat calm champagne type sailing in beautiful conditions. We only have about 1,100 nm to go and we are making good if not slow progress toward it. In addition to the checks there are always jobs to do such as clean out again the freezer with some proper good smelling cleaner to get rid of the remnants of the past. We also seemed to be low on cutlery and especially forks and the thinking was that they may have come out or the drawers and gone into the bilge or fallen down.

Charles had brought a small fibre optic camera which we rigged up and took out the bottom draw of the galley and looked down under the floor but all we could see was pipes and wires. Under the galley floor is a locker which we stow things in and so we emptied it and there was a bottom which we could lift up.  Charles leant down and grabbed a whole load of cutlery. There must have been about 12 forks, several spoons and teaspoons and there were covered in dust and muck. However, once cleaned mots were usable and so what we have decided to do is limit the cutlery in the drawers to 10 of each and store the rest. The drawers may have been too full and so when we have healed they must of fallen out the back. This was satisfying as we were down to only 5 forks so I will not have to buy more in Nuku Hiva.

The day passed pleasantly and we read, chatted and told jokes and discussed the political situation in Gaza. We chatted about the books we had been reading and it felt good to be here and in the middle of nowhere. As  it was so calm we were able to open some hatches and let some air through the boat. It is some 30-35 degrees down below with humidity of some 70%. We had a light lunch and a chocolate brownie from a new batch Mark had made. They are delicious and really keep you going on night duty.  The 12.00noon run was only 142 nm reflecting the light wind conditions.

As the conditions were light we thought of keeping the Blue Baron up overnight bearing in mind it is propelling us so well, calmly and toward Nuku Hiva. We carefully looked at the weather and the wind may increase to 13-15 kts with gusts of up to 18 depending on which model you believe. The consequences of flying it overnight are that we need to be extra vigilant regarding rain clouds and that if we need to get it down those that are asleep will have to be woken. We discussed it as a crew and we all agreed that we will fly it overnight and are fully aware of the ramifications.

We are running out of meals now, so Mark cooked a Spanish Omelette with baked beans. You may think this sounds a bit average for our meals on board, but it was very enjoyable and comfort type food. It is now dark and we are on our way through the night under the Blue Baron. Let’s hope the wind is kind and we will not have to bring it down in the night.

Today’s picture is the Watson brothers on shift.

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