13-May-2016
Noon Position : 14* 15.5' S and 148* 08' W
Course: 244*T
Mainly sunny with Easterly winds 10-15
Speed 5-6 knots
Broad reach
The crossing to the Tuomotus was 438 mm and was quite good. The average speed for most of it was 5-6 knots topping out at 7.7 knots. We were hit by two squalls with winds maxing out at 25 - 30 knots. The Genoa was furled in, single reefed main eased out at maximum force.
The second squall sustained maximum winds for about ten minutes but the rain persisted for almost an hour. Armon and I had fresh water showers in our bathing suits. David preferred to stay bundled up in his Paddington Bear outfit. Can you imagine being out in the rain so long that your feet and hands are all wrinkled up? The boat also got a good washing to get rid of some of the salt.
As this was a last minute change of plans I did not have any meals prepared. The second morning out, with seas relatively calm, I got busy making Cole slaw, potato salad, meat sauce for pasta and cooking the pasta. I cook the pasta a little less than aldente and then store in a zip lock back with some olive oil. Then I do not have to worry about boiling water when heeled over! We had some nice German bratwurst and chicken cordon blu to supplement the sides. This ended up being a good decision as the rolly seas returned.
We were making such good time that we were actually going too fast to make our mark at the entrance to the pass on the atoll Kauehi. Tried as we did we were still maintaining over 5 knots with only a double reefed main! We would see where we were in the morning.
There was still a lot of cloud cover and good winds. Lots of evidence of squalls on the horizon but our angel in the sky was watch g er us as only tw more landed on the boat and they really were minor.
Moon came out at 50% to light our way, the clouds parted and the bright star of Arcturus (the eye of Scorpius) was very obvious on our port side - along with the Southern Cross. Orion and Ursa Major are still evident but no sign of Polaris.
17-May-2016 Tuesday
The current and the wind was setting us west of the southern passage for the atoll Kauehi so we decided to go around the top end instead. One last squall did land on our doorstep as we altered course to head down the west side of the atoll.
Squall passed and we were right on time to make slack waters at the Arikitaniro Pass.
Five more beautiful sunset photos and a GoPro video of one of the squalls.
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