hey there,
we have been underway now for 13 days non stop, still have 1300 miles to go...the sailing has been great and a wonderful time for both Tracy and I. the weather has been perfect breezy sunny days and calm breezy nights. We have tried many sail configurations from wing on wing head sails, wing on wing with the main and a head sail and the spinnaker -we have reached speeds of 13 knots, early one morning after having the spinnaker up for 20 hours a heavy wind came up and blew out the spinnaker, it was a big loss for this trip as the wind has been behind us and the seas swells (10m) behind us too. Twin head sails are still pulling us along although not with the speed the spinnaker gave us. We are averaging 125 miles a day(due to being overloaded with 14 cases of beer, 10 cases of wine, and 2 cases of rum!!!! as alcohol is very expensive in the S. Pacifc, one can of beer $8.00). The only other dilemma that has come up so far is we lost the water maker feed pump, other than that all is very well and good... Lots of sea life present from whales and dolphin to sea turtles. The fishing could not be better we are averaging 2 Mahi Mahi a day with a little tuna on the side!!!!
well we are at 07 S and 117 W and have about 1300 miles to reach Fatu Hiva, Marqueses. Fatu Hiva is the most remote of all the Marqueses as well as the most beautiful and southern island. With 300 ft cascading free drop waterfall into a natural Olympic size kidney shape pool , wild horses, an abundance of wild fruits and vegetables and the most scenic uninhabited anchorages in the world. There are only 8 cars on the whole island with transportation being mostly on horseback!! The trip in total from the Galapagos is 3000 miles and we should do it in 20 days. The Galapagos was awesome, like land of the lost-incredible volcanic islands with huge diversity. we visited three islands, San Cristabol, Santa Cruz and Isabella. Isabella the most western and most remote island was by far the best. The others have become to touristy with not so much wildlife, Isabella on the other hand was extremely serene with an over abundance of wildlife(sharks, rays, dolphin, sea turtles, penguins, blue and red footed boobies, albatross, land tortoise, giant lizards and iguanas, the brightest flamingos your eyes can imagine, sea lions galore) and lots of natural areas(lava tunnels, beautiful beaches, hiking trails, volcanos, highland, lowlands). Tracy took a 12hr horseback ride up a volcano that had hot spots and views of 100's of miles!!!! The Ecuadorian people who live in the Galapagos are great, very kind and generous.
We have had a great sail so far, the first few days out of the Galapagos was slow and annoying, currents and light winds didn't help at all. There are about 15 boats in our group (these boats all left the Galapagos within a week of each other heading toward the Marqueses)sailing to the Marqueses. i run a radio net in the mornings and have 15 boat checking in with me...its fun..we will soon be enjoying time in the Marqueses, and all of the S pacific islands...a change of scenery for sure...I have enjoyed the Caribbean but I like the more unknown adventure provided by going to the lesser traveled remote areas, any body can go to a resort and set pool side but how many people get out there and live in the elements and travel to places only accessible by boat not even any airstrips much less that fake manmade Disney type "play land". No pink umbrellas in your drinks here!!! This is the "Real Cruising World" buddy!!! Adventure, adventure, adventure!!!!!!!!!
A Fish Story
I asked Tracy what fish she wanted today since we had been catching lots of Mahi's, her reply was I want Tuna, I stated aloud , Ok Lord we want a Tuna today..I told Tracy we would have Tuna buy the end of the day....
So here we are out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean not another boat seen for 12 days. Louis and I were setting up on deck playing backgammon and Louis spots a boat-he thought it was a sailboat-I grabbed the binoculars to take a peck and I said it's an oil rig he told me that was impossible-I hailed the boat over the VHF and got this Spanish speaking guy who talked to Louis and said they were a big tuna fishing boat-they talked for awhile then this english speaking guy gets on and him and I chat away-I told him that I was wanting tuna for dinner that night! Well 5 minutes later he gets back on the radio and says I am sending you some Tuna-mean while the seas are 20 feet and just rolling-the boat turns around we see black smoke in the air and starts coming our way-he calls us back and tells us to slow the boat down(mean while Louis is freaking thinking it is pirates so he gets the gun out and loaded) we luff the main, luff the jib and trhe mizzen... and slow the boat down that big tuna boat(170 ft) comes right to our starboard side drops a launch boat and brings us our present and what a present it was-three huge tunas one weighing at least 70 lbs as well as ice and some fresh sweet bread just bakes by the boats chef-all the guys were on deck waving and cheering the guys on the launch were all smiles -all this and we never even stopped the boat-!! Wait til you see the pictures!!! Louis filleted those tuna so fast we cleaned out the freezer and loaded it up-
anyway, it was a delight to see the vessel (aptly named Atlantis) and even a better delight to still be eating Tuna and we have a freezer full...
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