Coordinates: 20 26.83 S 176 07.7 E
Bearing: 210 T
Boat Speed:
Wind Direction: SE
Wind Strength:20 knots mainly
Sea state: better than yesterday , settling
Crew health: fine
Today the sun is out , the head winds are less strong and the steep short waves have calmed so everything is going well. Sailing to windward is never very comfortable but we are making steady progress and more favourable winds are forecast in the next few days. Leaving Fiji there is usually a SE wind to contend with initially.
Sweet Fijian tomatoes for lunch today with cucumbers , beetroot the last of the fresh bread eaten in the cockpit . The sailing life is pretty good
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Friday, 24 October 2014
Thursday, 23 October 2014
Update
Coordinates:19 14.37 S 176 48 E
Bearing: 200 T
Boat Speed: 4 to 5
Wind Direction: SE
Wind Strength:20 to 28 kn
Sea state: fairly rough
Crew health: fine
:
head winds down coast yesterday so later than wished at pass but went through in daylight
fairly rough night sailing into SE trades on port tack , Sails reefed at moment but all is well
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Bearing: 200 T
Boat Speed: 4 to 5
Wind Direction: SE
Wind Strength:20 to 28 kn
Sea state: fairly rough
Crew health: fine
:
head winds down coast yesterday so later than wished at pass but went through in daylight
fairly rough night sailing into SE trades on port tack , Sails reefed at moment but all is well
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Wednesday, 22 October 2014
departing Fiji
A short early message today as we will be busy later today exiting the Navula Pass into the open ocean.
All is well , we are all stocked up with supplies . The forecast suggests a slowish light weather passage but you never know.
We will send daily messages and position reports from now onwards every afternoon
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
All is well , we are all stocked up with supplies . The forecast suggests a slowish light weather passage but you never know.
We will send daily messages and position reports from now onwards every afternoon
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Monday, 20 October 2014
message from Denerau Fiji
Dave went back to Upper Hutt two days ago after a good week sailing round some local anchorages on the coast here and over on Malolo Island. Ted flew in from Auckland to crew on the voyage bound for NZ. The cruising boats are starting to thin out as some have gone south already and most will in the course of the next month. The only alternative is to stay here on board in a suitably protected spot or just leave your boat here during the cyclone season in such a place like Vuda Point Marina. However in the last cyclone there was still damage to many boats left there. Some folk head north to Pacific Islands nearer the equator to be north of the danger zone.
A few interesting points last week. Firstly I had been swimming under the boat scraping weed and barnacles off and had just climbed back on board when a sea snake swam by along the side of the hull - all black and yellow banded and looking very threatening . The bite of some species is very poisonous.
While under water I had to scrape off quite a large number of Goose Neck Barnacles which I have never seen on the hulls before. They can grow quite large and hang on a fleshy stalk.
The other unusual visitors were a bunch of what some people call 'Jesus Bugs' because they can walk on water. Ten delicate little insects prancing about next to the dinghy on a calm early morning. The other name is Pond Skater and I remember seeing them on ponds in England years ago whilst quietly fishing. Apparently 10% of the species live in marine environments skating about on their long legs which have huge numbers of tiny hairs which helps repel the water. The surface tension of the water is the main factor holding them up.
Ted and I are busy studying the weather reports at the moment, trying to work out when will be the ideal time to head south on Katipo.
Next message will be sent later in the week with an update and to let you know how the weather is going.
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
A few interesting points last week. Firstly I had been swimming under the boat scraping weed and barnacles off and had just climbed back on board when a sea snake swam by along the side of the hull - all black and yellow banded and looking very threatening . The bite of some species is very poisonous.
While under water I had to scrape off quite a large number of Goose Neck Barnacles which I have never seen on the hulls before. They can grow quite large and hang on a fleshy stalk.
The other unusual visitors were a bunch of what some people call 'Jesus Bugs' because they can walk on water. Ten delicate little insects prancing about next to the dinghy on a calm early morning. The other name is Pond Skater and I remember seeing them on ponds in England years ago whilst quietly fishing. Apparently 10% of the species live in marine environments skating about on their long legs which have huge numbers of tiny hairs which helps repel the water. The surface tension of the water is the main factor holding them up.
Ted and I are busy studying the weather reports at the moment, trying to work out when will be the ideal time to head south on Katipo.
Next message will be sent later in the week with an update and to let you know how the weather is going.
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Saturday, 11 October 2014
news from Fiji
Since the last update about a week ago there have been comings and goings !
We spent a few days in Denerau restocking with food , diesel , water and petrol ( for the outboard engine) and doing some sorting out and re-stowing on board . Sadly Denise flew out back to NZ last Wednesday, we have had an excellent adventure together over the last two months but the cyclone season approaches at the end November and I know that she will be looking forward to catching up with our family and especially seeing our grand daughters again. Dave a friend from Upper Hutt flew in yesterday for a week. Next weekend Ted from NZ arrives to crew on the return voyage bound to Opua from Lautoka our check out port.
Denise and I met John a fellow Wharram catamaran enthusiast recently, its amazing what a web of contacts exists.
One repair job which I have completed on Katipo was to replace the worn universal joint on the port hull windvane trim tab on the back of the port rudder. Ted and I had noticed an early problem on arrival in Tonga and despite the fact that it still is holding together, I did not want to trust it on the ocean voyage back to NZ. Peter a friend in Howick sourced one and son Tim brought it with him when he flew in .last month
The work involved marking very accurately the positions for the bolt holes in the fitting then finding someone with a drill press to drill through the stainless steel fitting. The work was done by the Indians working at the local boat yard . they did a great job although had I spoken Hindi communication would have been easier.
I nearly had a major disaster on returning to Katipo as I unloaded from the dinghy a re-filled gas bottle, a bucket with the bolts and fitting just drilled and my back pack with all the ships papers inside. It was one of those unfortunate sequences - the gas bottle fell over , tipped up the bucket nearly spilling the contents into the sea , and as a made a grab for the bucket I dropped my back pack overboard. I just managed to save the pack before it sank and fortunately all was well.
Dave and I sailed out to Malolo Lailai island today into a brisk SW wind and as I intend to just potter about locally this week I will send out another update early next week when Ted and I have had a chance to review the weather patterns for our voyage southwards.
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
We spent a few days in Denerau restocking with food , diesel , water and petrol ( for the outboard engine) and doing some sorting out and re-stowing on board . Sadly Denise flew out back to NZ last Wednesday, we have had an excellent adventure together over the last two months but the cyclone season approaches at the end November and I know that she will be looking forward to catching up with our family and especially seeing our grand daughters again. Dave a friend from Upper Hutt flew in yesterday for a week. Next weekend Ted from NZ arrives to crew on the return voyage bound to Opua from Lautoka our check out port.
Denise and I met John a fellow Wharram catamaran enthusiast recently, its amazing what a web of contacts exists.
One repair job which I have completed on Katipo was to replace the worn universal joint on the port hull windvane trim tab on the back of the port rudder. Ted and I had noticed an early problem on arrival in Tonga and despite the fact that it still is holding together, I did not want to trust it on the ocean voyage back to NZ. Peter a friend in Howick sourced one and son Tim brought it with him when he flew in .last month
The work involved marking very accurately the positions for the bolt holes in the fitting then finding someone with a drill press to drill through the stainless steel fitting. The work was done by the Indians working at the local boat yard . they did a great job although had I spoken Hindi communication would have been easier.
I nearly had a major disaster on returning to Katipo as I unloaded from the dinghy a re-filled gas bottle, a bucket with the bolts and fitting just drilled and my back pack with all the ships papers inside. It was one of those unfortunate sequences - the gas bottle fell over , tipped up the bucket nearly spilling the contents into the sea , and as a made a grab for the bucket I dropped my back pack overboard. I just managed to save the pack before it sank and fortunately all was well.
Dave and I sailed out to Malolo Lailai island today into a brisk SW wind and as I intend to just potter about locally this week I will send out another update early next week when Ted and I have had a chance to review the weather patterns for our voyage southwards.
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Friday, 3 October 2014
Denerau
We have had a busy day starting fairly early. We are anchored outside the Denerau inner harbour near the entrance channel just off the mangrove lined shore. The water is about 5 metres deep and the holding seems ok. It takes us about 15 minutes to motor into the harbour with our small dinghy with its 2 HP outboard. It is an easy dinghy to row too which we do at times or if the engine will not go! The dinghy also has an elegant shape. Oars are a rarity within the cruising community as 95 % of boats have inflatables as tenders and fairly large outboards. Inflatables are not easily rowed!
Anyway we caught the express coach in Nadi to Lautoka for the equivalent of about $2.70 NZ for a 40 minute comfortable ride. The only concern was the driver using one hand at times while chatting on his cell phone.
The immigration department in Lautoka soon had the paperwork sorted to take Denise off the crew list and to supply a letter for crewman Ted to authorise his arrival on a one way airline ticket later this month.
After a good lunch we spent about an hour in the large fruit, vegetable and fish market with the usual huge variety and bright colours. Added to all this is the smell of curry powders and spices on the Indian stalls.
Then back to Denerau to sit at a bar on the wharf as the boats come and go and the sun goes down. Not a bad day.
Since we will be pottering about locally until Denise goes on Wednesday and I have a few minor jobs to do about the boat later in the week I willl send out another blog in about a weeks time.
Don
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Anyway we caught the express coach in Nadi to Lautoka for the equivalent of about $2.70 NZ for a 40 minute comfortable ride. The only concern was the driver using one hand at times while chatting on his cell phone.
The immigration department in Lautoka soon had the paperwork sorted to take Denise off the crew list and to supply a letter for crewman Ted to authorise his arrival on a one way airline ticket later this month.
After a good lunch we spent about an hour in the large fruit, vegetable and fish market with the usual huge variety and bright colours. Added to all this is the smell of curry powders and spices on the Indian stalls.
Then back to Denerau to sit at a bar on the wharf as the boats come and go and the sun goes down. Not a bad day.
Since we will be pottering about locally until Denise goes on Wednesday and I have a few minor jobs to do about the boat later in the week I willl send out another blog in about a weeks time.
Don
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Thursday, 2 October 2014
Denerau
This evening we are anchored off Denerau having sailed over this morning from Musket Cove. Since the last blog a few days ago Denise and I have mostly been at Solevu Bay , Liku liku or Musket Cove where we were lucky to secure a vacant mooring. Time has gone quickly and Denise flies home next Wednesday. Last Tuesday we had arranged to sail over to Denerau to meet Lynn and Grant from Whitford for dinner but the weather was pretty grim that morning so we came over on the ferry for lunch instead which was very pleasant.
The next day it rained and was quite cool so we stayed on board and did a supplies stock take with a view to having a big shopping expedition to Nadi to stock up for the return voyage. The wet weather gave me a chance to test the new rain water collection system I had organised on the centre pod roof. I am pleased to report we quickly had 20 litres in the collecting container.
It is surprising who you meet up here . A couple anchored nearby hailed us , they had recognised Katipo as they walk past our house at Shelly park on the public walkway quite often, and today a fellow boat club member who this season has been sailing his catamaran to Tonga and Fiji visiting many of the same places we have visited.
Tomorrow we are of to Lautoka to sort out the paperwork for crew changes , ready for when Ted flies in later this month to crew on the NZ bound voyage.
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
The next day it rained and was quite cool so we stayed on board and did a supplies stock take with a view to having a big shopping expedition to Nadi to stock up for the return voyage. The wet weather gave me a chance to test the new rain water collection system I had organised on the centre pod roof. I am pleased to report we quickly had 20 litres in the collecting container.
It is surprising who you meet up here . A couple anchored nearby hailed us , they had recognised Katipo as they walk past our house at Shelly park on the public walkway quite often, and today a fellow boat club member who this season has been sailing his catamaran to Tonga and Fiji visiting many of the same places we have visited.
Tomorrow we are of to Lautoka to sort out the paperwork for crew changes , ready for when Ted flies in later this month to crew on the NZ bound voyage.
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)