From Tahanea to Moorea: Strong Winds and Shifting Seas
17°13,6’S 148°28,6’ // course 275° // speed 5,2kn
The weather reports have been a little bit wrong about most of the weather we have had the last 24 hours. Winds increased this morning to over 25 knots, where the weather report has us down for 11 knots, gusting 16.. And this evening we had showers, that where not in the weather report, and the showers had southwesterly wind in them. Winds shifting and gusting up to 22 knots..
So we decided it was time for the engine. And I am happy we did, as right now, we have no wind at all. Skies have cleared, stars are coming out, but wind is disappearing. Well to be honest, that was actually predicted.
But back to this morning, when sailing was exhilarating and the salt water splashes were a welcome cool down, from the hot sun that was burning on the deck. Winds started to increase to 22 – 25 knots around 08:30 in the morning. Skies were clear, no showers around, so we eased the sheet a little to let the pressure out and kept the wind on the beam and even a little aft of it. This worked really well for a few hours. While steering on the 4th of July celebration day of 250 years America, Dave steered us down a wave with 10,1 knots, averaging 8,5 knots. When the winds started to turn more to the north northwest, the strength also decreased. We pulled in the sheets, made the sails nice and flat again and off we shot off on a close reach.
On the deck you could see everybody finding a cool place outside as the interior is warming up with the warming of the water. But the sun made the spots small and changing. I sat with my back against the bulwarks, feet spread out in front of me, to stop me from gliding. I watched the sun on my legs as the ship rolled, the shade would change, running up and down my legs. Mesmerizing to watch.
As the blue ocean rushed by, our afternoon watch started to lose the wind a little. Wind speed went down to 13 knots, and sometimes it wasn’t enough to keep the sails filled.
At 20:45 we had to turn on the engine as all wind had left us. But during the night, the wind returned. Even more shifty.
We have 80 miles left to Moorea, where we plan to anchor in the evening and spend the 6th on shore. Looking forward to the change in islands. Where we left the atolls behind, the low flat sandy islands. We are now heading to high, green and lush islands. Such a stark difference.
All is well on board,
Jet
(picture of the day won by George of me and Jasmijn greasing the steering gear. Second runner up, and only one, was Adrian with me and Tooske getting the preventer back on board.)
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