Here you will find tales of voyages past and present on our trusty Pacific Seacraft Dana 24, "Sockdolager," and our Bigfoot29 powerboat, "Raven," from Port Townsend, Washington, USA. In 2009 we sailed north from Puget Sound up the west coast of Vancouver Island to the Queen Charlotte Islands (now called Haida Gwaii.) In 2010 we went back to the west coast of Vancouver Island. In July 2011 we left the Northwest, sailed to Mexico, and in March 2012 we crossed the Pacific to French Polynesia, then on to the Cooks, Niue and Tonga. We spent several months in New Zealand, and in May 2013 loaded Sockdolager (and ourselves) on a container ship for San Francisco. In June and July 2013 we sailed north along the California, Oregon and Washington coasts, and in August we arrived home. In October 2016, Sockdolager found new owners, and we began cruising on Raven, a unique wooden 29' powerboat. In 2018 we cruised up to Glacier Bay, Alaska, and back. But in 2024 we had the chance to buy Sockdolager back (we missed her), so we sold Raven. We hope you enjoy reading about our adventures as much as we enjoy having them. (And there will be more.)



Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Tonga to New Zealand - Day Three

Since leaving Tonga on Monday (one day ahead of most of you reading this) we have traveled 241 miles and have 854 to go. The sailing was fast and bumpy and wet for the first day and a half. Since then it has mellowed. And now we gliding along at about 3 knots. It's been warm in the day and cool at night (with a nice bright moon). I (Jim) was a bit seasick for the first two day but am feeling better now. Tom is adapting well. This is his first overnight sailing in close to 30 years, but you'd think he does it all the time. And he's a pro in the galley (except when he thought that the French cream cheese was butter and attempted to fry his grilled cheese sandwich in it).

There are six other boats out here with us all having left at nearly the same time. We talk every morning and afternoon on the high frequency radio (8131.0 usb) to check in, share weather information, and any other news of interest. The boat Legacy has a book on board on Kiwi culture and they are reading a tid-bit every day. Then the Kiwi couple on the boat Sam confirm whether it is true or not.

So all is well from 23:13S, 178:37W.

4 comments:
























  1. Jim,
    Lifting a glass to your continued smooth passage. Thinking of you, here in cold P.T. Miss you both.
    Randall







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  2. Sounds great! (Except for bumpy + wet = soggy + barfing). Glad to hear that your First Mate is in fine form with the frying pan. Alex

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  3. So glad to hear Tom is getting his requisite grilled cheese! Lots of folks in Boulder anxiously following your progress - so glad to hear things are going well. Wishing you continued smooth sailing... Bev and Tim

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  4. Hi Jim,

    I'm glad you're underway, that you have crew, and that you have another small boat (sam)---as well as others---keeping you company! 20' Emma made it to Opua right before I left. I'm in Sydney airport, en route to LAX and then San Diego.

    Kirsten

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