27 October 2024 –Tonga -Tongapatu to New Zealand -Day 5

After supper I considered all the weather situation and was not finding Metbob a lot of help. We were not able to sail properly to get west without going some way out of our route. I therefore decided we needed to push on as the longer we are the more we are likely to have to endure to second and amore stronger front due on Tuesday night/Wednesday.  The wind was not that strong and we were not able to keep the speed up enough.

The sails came down and the engine went on and we set a course of about 215 – South Southwest. This gave us some westing but also meant we were going more toward our destination of Opua in the Bay of Islands.

The night passed with the engine working well and not missing a beat which was good.  We made reasonable progress and when Watty and I came on watch at 8.00am I decided we could put out the sails again. I had spent a long time working out our route as the wind was due to go North then North Northwest then Northwest and then west before going southwest in the course of the Sunday. It will then go back to Northwest to help us into the Bay of Islands. We had some 450 nm to go.

Our course direct would be 191 degrees mag and initially we were sailing about 232 degrees but I knew with the wind change that it would come round. The rain front came about 9.00am and it poured and this is the first time in all year that I got out my full weather gear and boots. We spent out watch adjusting the sails to the wind and rain and trying to keep up our speed which seemed to work. There were times when the wind was 27 kts and others 12 so it was a regular adjustment.

We handed over at 12.00noon to Carolyn and Erika in the pouring rain. Our 24-hour run had been 172 nm. We were sailing well in the rain and quite fast as my plan is to try and get ahead of the second front or minimise the time we spend in it. The wind is expected to 25-30kts and looks unpleasant on the predict wind app with reds.

We had breakfast on our shift and Carolyn cooked banana pancakes and then Keith did another great bacon and egg butty. We therefore had pigged out and did not need much lunch.

The afternoon wore on with rain and showers and they say you can have 4 seasons in a day and this seemed to be becoming evident. The wind continued to come round so it had moved from about 76 degrees to 255 in a number of hours. It will then go back to Northwest over the next day or so. This has meant sail changes and different angles etc. We are therefore to make good speed as best we can to see what progress we can make.

Carolyn made a wild mushroom risotto for supper which was delicious. The wind was now going as anticipated southwest and pushing us east again. We will have to tack at some point to alleviate this. However, on Tuesday morning the wind goes Northeast which will help push us back on track.

We settle down to another night but we are getting closer.

The picture of the day is some of us in our wet weather gear.

Opportunity Year Two

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 then through Bali, Singapore and on to Thailand to end year two about the end of November 2025. 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 move through French Polynesia and beyond. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com