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

Menu

Paw Paw - Log Day 291: In the Blink of an Eye



We made great progress today, sailing the majority of the time due south, although this has meant close-hauling. Fortunately the seas were relatively flat with only a large rolling south easterly swell which made this, normally unpleasant point of sail, easier.

However, around sunset, after a chat on the SSB radio, where one yacht had just made the comment that we were all rather lucky thus far, given the conditions we have experienced, it all changed in the blink of an eye. The wind direction changed from easterly to south easterly and the sea developed a short, steep chop, causing us to slam and bounce around.

After reefing further and altering course, we've managed to have a reasonable sail. It has meant, though, that we're not able to head south, but more south, southwest, which is not our ideal angle, given that we had decided to head straight to Opua vs heading to our previous waypoint at 30S 173E, as the westerly winds previously forecasted are now expected to be southerly, becoming easterly the closer we get to New Zealand. Either way we're splitting the difference while we see what actually develops.

In the interim, we've caught up on our sleep. We're eating well, thanks to all the pre-cooked meals prepared by Chef Roy and we have all our winter woolies out to stay warm.

Previous | Next