Ten Days Out From Easter Island

We left the Hanga Roa anchorage ten days ago on our 2050 mile passage to Valdivia, Chile. So far we've covered around 700 miles along a twisty path, with our direction controlled by the varying wind angles and conditions which change from northeast to southwest and from no wind to 30 knots. This passage seems different from our other recent sails because of the wind's almost hourly variability, our slower progress and most notably - much cooler temperatures.

Up until yesterday daytime temperatures ranged from 24 to 28 degrees Celsius and we were wearing shorts and T-shirts. Then a front passed through and temperatures plunged by eight degrees in under 4 hours. With temperatures on the night watch now down to 15 degrees we've dug through the lockers looking for our warm weather clothes that haven't been used in the past four years. Dressed in fleece jackets, storm pants and toques we're toasty and warm but our mobility has been somewhat reduced and that is taking a while to get used to. Jessie has also made some wardrobe changes and now spends her nights snuggled in a fleece blanket having lost most of her winter coat while basking in the heat of Panama. Dressed appropriately night watches have been enjoyable with clear skies and a full moon, almost bright enough to read by.

Another difference from previous passages is the lack of any sightings. As we are not close to any shipping lanes we did not expect to see boat traffic but we also haven't seen any wildlife; no dolphins or whales to entertain Jessie, no fish to catch and no turtles to photograph. Fortunately, garbage sightings have been rare as well. A boat 10 days ahead of us has reported seeing wandering albatross, something to look forward to, but so far all we have seen are a few solitary kestrels.

The weather is more complicated as well and requires constant monitoring of meteorological information to understand the wind patterns. Several highs have developed to the west of us, tracking quickly to the northeast, and unlike in the northern hemisphere these rotate counterclockwise. Since we want to travel to the southeast we try to position ourselves on the southern side of the highs to get a favourable wind direction, but the trick is not to get too far south or we will get caught up in the "roaring 40's" with 30 knot plus winds and bigger seas. A few days ago we received warning of a storm developing far to the south that was predicted to produce a large swell of up to 9 meters. At the time our course would have taken us right into the swell zone so we altered course to the north and are presently sailing east along the swells northern limit. Once the large swell event passes us by we will alter course once again and sail south east continuing towards our destination.

At a seemingly pedantic pace of 100 miles per day we should arrive in Valdivia at the end of the month or early May.

Comments

[kathi]

It looks like Jessie is doing great! That is good news for us. Where are you heading? I thought you were heading to New Zealand? What did they say on Easter Island about Jessie?

kathi