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| Daily Log Page 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 31 July 2005 The race is on! We've decided that we have a chance to make Havannah Passe at slack high tide just before sunset on Aug 1st at our current boat speed. If we don't, we'd have to stand off overnight until noon the next day for the next slack tide in daylight. We don't go through new passes at night. If the wind holds, we should make it on time. Currently (01:00 UTC) we have about 18-20 knots on the beam and are doing 7-7.5 knots. Position: 21 deg 09 min S, 170 deg 07 min E. More tomorrow.... Caw! R&K | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30 July 2005 We got our wind today, along with some squally showers. This system doesn't show up on weatherfax or text, but we are assuming its a trough associated with a front further south. Should clear out by tomorrow. Making 7.5 knots now at 20 deg 12 min S, 172 deg 52 min E at 01:00 utc. There is a time change of 1 hour for New Cal so we'll turn clocks back to be able to use local tide charts for entering Havannah Passe. Its said to be a tricky one with current opposing wind so we want to go in at slack tide which is 1 hour before Noumea. R&K | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 29 July 2005 Made about 140 miles first day out as winds filled in nicely last night. Making 6.5+ knots with a bit of roll and a jib on a pole. Cloudy today as there's a front to the south, but no worries for us. 490 miles to go as of noon local time. Caw! R&K | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 28 July 2005 Departed Fiji this morning at 9:30 local time bound for Noumea, New Caledonia. Its about 640 miles to Havannah Passe where we will enter the reef, and another 50 miles to town for check in. Light winds so far, but still in the lee of Viti Levu. Caught a nice Walu within the first hour, so we'll have fresh fish for the passage. We expect a 5 day passage plus or minus. Hung out with Amanda and Guinevere for a few weeks, and they left for the US 2 days ago. Our buddy Clay will be waiting for us when we arrive at Noumea for his annual Amazing Grace holiday. Sailed by Namotu and Tavarua on the way out with small surf and glassy conditions. So we say "Moce" to Fiji and look forward to our next adventure. Bula! R&K | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 29 June 2005 Arrived Musket Cove 11 am local time. The stationary front had one more stab at us this morning before dawn as we approached the passage with 30 knot gusts and 25 sustained. Luckily the rain and cloud lifted as we arrived at the pass and got in ok. We're now safely moored at Musket for some socializing with buddy boats after some much needed rest. Caaaaaaaaaaw! R&K | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 28 June 2005 We crossed the Koro Sea as well as the dateline again last night, but not without discomfort! A stationary front kicked up 25 knot winds gusting to 30 and some ugly confused seas. Not much rain for a much needed boat wash, but squally conditions and poor visibility. Things have settled down today as we pass Suva and head West towards Musket Cove. Position at local noon: 18 deg 25 min S, 178 deg 38 min E. As usual on a first night of a passage, sleep is what we lack the most. Getting ready to put out the fishing lines to see if we can catch something to share with our buddies waiting at Musket. Caw! R&K | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 27 June 2005 It's daily log time again as we're underway from Vanua Balavu Lau Group Fiji to Musket Cove on the west side of Viti Levu. Its a 275 mile passage which we expect will take less than 48 hrs. Position at 1:30 pm local time is 17 deg 20 min S, 179 deg 19 min W. Nice close reach with 15 knots of wind and making nice time. Had a mellow time in the Lau with 4 other boats and really enjoyed the "Bay of Islands". Did scuba diving and snorkeling, but not enough swell for surfing. That should all change by the time we arrive at Musket, as Namotu and Tavarua are just around the corner. R&K | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13 June 2005 Sailed a 24 hr. passage from Savusavu to Vanua Balavu in the Fiji Lau Group. Arrived this morning with friends on 2 other yachts, "Nordlys" (that's northern lights in Danish), and "Shadowfax". A rolly night with winds behind us, but probably better than strong trades on the nose which is the norm for the passage! Looks like a fun place, we have special permission to be here and still waiting to do our sevusevu (kava ceremony) to make our arrival official. Lots of small islands resembling Tonga. Caw!!! R&K | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 June 2005 Arrived Savusavu safely this morning 9:00. Curly Carswell of "Rascals in Paradise" Cruising got us situated on a mooring and arranged for the officials to come to the boat. Three cheers for Curly Caw Caw Caw!! | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 31 May 2005 Less than 24 hrs. to Savusavu! We've already passed Kadavu and have about 125 miles to go as of 11:00 am this morning local time. Motored all night and the south~westerlies picked up at about 5:00 am. Nice broad reach sailing with about 15 knots of wind. Spoke to "Curly" of the Fiji Cruising net this morning and he's going to have the officials ready for our check in. Also talked with Jim and Kyoko on the "Rag of the Air" net. You'll remember that they are the ones on Northern Vanua Levu who had an island given to them by Cawaro village. We visited up there last year and helped them finish building one of the boats. They're trying to lure us into going back up there for more projects. Not as much time this year since we're planning on cruising the Lau group. Will post tomorrow to confirm our arrival. Caw!!!! R&K | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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