We've Turned South

Pacific Crossing, Day 15: After a rainy night and a majestic, sunny morning we scooted at 6-8 knots before a 25-30 knot wind from the East-Southeast, in big confused seas to 12 feet. Watching this little boat thread a path among watery hills and canyons, we both agreed that a sailboat's a pretty amazing machine, among all her other attributes. Good daily runs have been made so far; all but 2 days were over 100 miles, and the 2 exceptions were 91 and 95, so all in all we feel pretty good if not a bit weary of the constant big motion. And we love our little boat with its big heart!

At about 7N 127W in late morning, we turned south, to get into position for crossing the ITCZ's axis. The ESE wind (it's supposed to be NE) means our course is a beam reach at best, and very bouncy. We want to have a good angle on the SE Trade Winds, and going too far west would mean possibly beating into the wind all the way to the Marquesas, something we'd rather not do. So the spray's a'flyin for now! When we cross the Equator perhaps we can ease the sheets a bit for the long home stretch.

Short post today, too rough to type and then correct all the motion-induced mistakes.

Sent via Ham radio