can we help
+44(0)1983 296060
+1 757-788-8872
tell me moreJoin a rally

Menu

American Spirit II - Day 197; Great Sailing Day, Half Way to Australia, Ghost Whale Encounter & Folie a Deux Sights a 'Flying Squid;' Monday, July 21, 2014



I relieved Jeanine at 6:10 AM. One sailboat starboard bow 30 degrees, 1-2 miles away. Wind 14 knots, boat speed 7.0 knots.

Sunrise at 6:57 AM. Almost saw a green flash, but only 50/50 sure so doesn't count. If no clouds on horizon, would have been sure. We're on a reach now instead of close reach. Good. Wind on the beam instead of forward of the beam.

At 9:30 AM we were half way to MacKay, Australia. We figure we'll arrive Friday morning.

Joel hosted the 9:00 AM net. Good job Joel! Breakfast at 9:30 AM was scrambled eggs, chilled fruit cocktail and French bread.

At 10:10 AM we took out the GPS chart plotter chip we'd been using since February and inserted our 'Australia' chip. Ten minutes later we had 2 fishing lines in the water. Still no luck in catching any fish on this leg.

Our noon position was 18 degrees, 21 minutes South; 157 degrees, 43 minutes East.

We ran the water maker 2 hours this morning, making about 9 gallons.

I took a nap from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

At 2:30 PM we had a full main and jib flying. No reefs. Wind 17/18 knots; boat speed 7.7 knots. On broad reach now. Wind aft of the beam. High pressure system setting in. Waves 5-6 feet; mostly sunny.

During the 6:00 PM net, again ably conducted by Joel, Ghost, a UK boat, reported sailing by a single whale, 100 meters away, which was flapping its large flute while they passed. Question: Was this whale signaling other whales? Or was the whale upset at Ghost and flapping its large flute as a sign of displeasure? If there are any whale experts out there, let me know via a comment to the log page. During the same net communication, Folie a Deux reported that a sea bird (tern?) flew by their boat carrying an 18 inch squid. Some stuff you can't make up. At least Tracy didn't report that the bird dropped the squid on their boat so Brian could use it as bait to catch more fish. Also reported during the net, Avocet apparently turned back and was heading to New Caladonia. No reason heard. Bongo Alive reported this to us during the net.

Dinner at 6:30 PM consisted of freeze dried Spanish Style Rice with Shrimp and Ham; chilled mandarin oranges and pound cake.

I tried sending out a log and emails via the SSB at 6:45 PM but had a hard time getting an open frequency in Australia, the only game in town in this part of the world. I tried again at 7:11 PM and got connected right away, and the send speed was fast (3,600) and the receive speed was also fast (3,200). The station we connected to was called Darawank NSW, Australia; 846 miles away at a heading of 195 degrees True.

I took a nap before my watch from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Joel took a nap from 8:05 PM to 12:00 AM. Jeanine stood watch from 8:05 PM until relieved by me at 9:10 PM.

On assuming the 9:00 PM watch, 2 sailboats were visible on the port bow. One was Saphir; the other Sweet Pearl. The wind was 16 knots and our boat speed 7.0 knots. Lots of low flying clouds. May rain. Very lumpy seas. When a sailor says the seas are 'lumpy,' it means not pleasant. But not rough.

We went thru a brief rain shower at 9:47 PM. The cloud was low enough and dark enough that I temporarily lost sight of the two Rally boats on our port bow. I also had to move up in the cockpit under the dodger to escape the rain.

By 11:12 PM most of the clouds were gone and the sky was well lit with the Milky Way and other stars. It was cold, though. High 60's?

At 11:50 PM before being relieved by Joel at midnight, the wind speed was 15 knots and our boat speed 6.7 knots. Anytime we're moving at 6 knots or above we're very happy.

Brian Fox



Previous | Next