Coordinates: 16 46.65 S 179 19.731 E
Bearing: Anchored
Boat Speed: Anchored
Wind Direction: South East
Wind Strength: 20-33 knots
Sea state: Quite rough
Crew health: Excellent
Fish caught: Sea too rough to fish!
Other points of interest:
We had a great sail through the Lau group last evening into the Koro Sea, the latter part in darkness, with a following, brisk 25 knot wind but flattish seas. It was an exceptional night, clear and starry. The wind was unusually consistent, 20 - 25 knots from the south east, we did not even need to adjust the self steering once. The poled out staysail alone was enough for us to maintain a speed over 6 knots for hour after hour.
This morning the wind increased and was often over 30 knots, there were steep breaking seas bearing us towards a lee shore, the problem being we had only one chance to find the pass into Savusavu Bay, otherwise we would have been scuppered. I pad to the rescue, we swooped through the pass directly on target under only a triple reefed mainsail. We are now comfortably anchored in the delightful harbour of Savusavu where we were immediately assisted to our mooring by the same Fijian guy who had befriended us 3 years ago. He even remembered which mooring we had been on last visit and re allocated us to the same one and then organised all the customs, immigration formalities for us! we have hosted officials from health, biosecurity, customs and immigration and they have all been amazingly jolly and welcoming.
We are now relaxing, feasting on a bowl of taro chips purchased in Tonga and a well earned beer! We look forward to a good nights sleep after a challenging and boisterous 78 hour passage! We will update further news just before we leave Savusavu in about 5 or 6 days.
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
Monday, 25 August 2014
fijian seas
Coordinates:17 30.6 s 178 52.4
Bearing:261 T
Boat Speed: 7.5 kn
Wind Direction: SE
Wind Strength: varies 18 to 30 at times
Sea state: moderate
Crew health: excellent
Fish caught: too busy navigating to fish
Other points of interest:
another great sunny day once the morning cloud had cleared , fairly strong wind but steady , have a reef in mainsail so as not to worry with gusts
We have just passed between Katafage Island and Malevuvu reef ( which was lurking somewhere although we could not see it ) and into the Nanuabalavu passage , onwards to the south of Mago island next . It is exciting to be in new territory although great care must be taken with navigating as many mariners have ended up on reefs coming through the Lau group of islands . particularly in the days of navigating with sextants and relying on good sun sights.
The new navionics chart app on our Ipad is a pleasure to use especially compared with our old Navman chart plotter, which although still working is not so easy and clear to use. Amazing how quickly tmes have changed , twenty years ago when we set off for Tonga we had a large and expensive hand held GPS and just paper charts.
We are not sure when we will be nearing Savusavu , it depends how the winds hold in the next 24 hours or so .
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Bearing:261 T
Boat Speed: 7.5 kn
Wind Direction: SE
Wind Strength: varies 18 to 30 at times
Sea state: moderate
Crew health: excellent
Fish caught: too busy navigating to fish
Other points of interest:
another great sunny day once the morning cloud had cleared , fairly strong wind but steady , have a reef in mainsail so as not to worry with gusts
We have just passed between Katafage Island and Malevuvu reef ( which was lurking somewhere although we could not see it ) and into the Nanuabalavu passage , onwards to the south of Mago island next . It is exciting to be in new territory although great care must be taken with navigating as many mariners have ended up on reefs coming through the Lau group of islands . particularly in the days of navigating with sextants and relying on good sun sights.
The new navionics chart app on our Ipad is a pleasure to use especially compared with our old Navman chart plotter, which although still working is not so easy and clear to use. Amazing how quickly tmes have changed , twenty years ago when we set off for Tonga we had a large and expensive hand held GPS and just paper charts.
We are not sure when we will be nearing Savusavu , it depends how the winds hold in the next 24 hours or so .
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Sunday, 24 August 2014
anchor problems
Coordinates:17 53.9 s 176 53.6 w
Bearing:284 T
Wind Direction: SE
Wind Strength:18 to 25
Sea state: fairly short steep seas
Crew health:fine
When we arrived in Vava u it was the weekend and customs are not keen to turn out so we anchored for two day in Port Maurelle. All was fine until we came to leave only to find our anchor chain caught very soundly round some thing on the bottom . It was deep and beyond a depth that I could dive to. This is the first time it has happened in 26 years sailing Katipo so I i have been lucky in the past. It took an hour motoring this way and that and in circles trying to break it free and struggling with the manual anchor winch ( must buy an electric one for the next trip!)
We had an enjoyable time in Neiafu and decided that instead of rushing around a few of the great anchorages on the outer islands , some of which we saw last time in 1994, we would relax and stay on our mooring and explore more thoroughly on land nearby. We made a trip to the botanical gardens which was most interesting, socialised with some of the other yachties and had a few meals ashore, as well as fill in all the paper work for arrival in Fiji which has to be emailed ahead .
Today is another clear day , blue sea and sky wih a steady wind . last night the wind built to over 30 knots which we did not expect but since it was a following wind we reefed down some and kept going ok.
So next we have to thread through the Lau group of islands on our way to Savusavu
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Bearing:284 T
Wind Direction: SE
Wind Strength:18 to 25
Sea state: fairly short steep seas
Crew health:fine
When we arrived in Vava u it was the weekend and customs are not keen to turn out so we anchored for two day in Port Maurelle. All was fine until we came to leave only to find our anchor chain caught very soundly round some thing on the bottom . It was deep and beyond a depth that I could dive to. This is the first time it has happened in 26 years sailing Katipo so I i have been lucky in the past. It took an hour motoring this way and that and in circles trying to break it free and struggling with the manual anchor winch ( must buy an electric one for the next trip!)
We had an enjoyable time in Neiafu and decided that instead of rushing around a few of the great anchorages on the outer islands , some of which we saw last time in 1994, we would relax and stay on our mooring and explore more thoroughly on land nearby. We made a trip to the botanical gardens which was most interesting, socialised with some of the other yachties and had a few meals ashore, as well as fill in all the paper work for arrival in Fiji which has to be emailed ahead .
Today is another clear day , blue sea and sky wih a steady wind . last night the wind built to over 30 knots which we did not expect but since it was a following wind we reefed down some and kept going ok.
So next we have to thread through the Lau group of islands on our way to Savusavu
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Saturday, 23 August 2014
bound for Fiji from Tonga
Coordinates:18 29.62s 174 35.72 w
Bearing:285 t
Boat Speed: 6 to 7.5 kn
Wind Direction:se
Wind Strength: 17 to 27
Sea state:short steep sea
Crew health:fine
Fish caught:
Other points of interest:
we left Neiafu after a good time there - i will write more later
making good progress , over 8 knots over the ground at times
uncomfortable beam to quarter sea but wind forecast to swing a little more to the east later which will be better
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Bearing:285 t
Boat Speed: 6 to 7.5 kn
Wind Direction:se
Wind Strength: 17 to 27
Sea state:short steep sea
Crew health:fine
Fish caught:
Other points of interest:
we left Neiafu after a good time there - i will write more later
making good progress , over 8 knots over the ground at times
uncomfortable beam to quarter sea but wind forecast to swing a little more to the east later which will be better
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Saturday, 16 August 2014
Vava'a
Here we are again in Vavau 20 years after our first sailing adventure on Katipo along with Shay, Lee and Tim in August 1994. It really is a fantastic place to sail, many scattered islands and anchorages, lush vegetation and deep waters with whales in abundance.
Fortunately we had a good steady wind last night and tried to pace our speed so that we would arrive in daylight at dawn , but on the other hand not wanting to waste a good wind lest it fizzled out over night again !
As it turned out we arrived about an hour before dawn and watched the sun rise behind the islands. We were delighted to see about ten humpback whales as we motored sailed in from the open sea, some surfacing just yards from the boat and then sounding again with a flourish in the air from their tails above the water. At other times they would blow and send a jet of spray into the morning air.
We have anchored in Port Maurelle along we about six other boats some of which are Charter boats.
We have not had much sleep in the last 48 hours but will sleep well tonight . We will celebrate our arrival with some Tongan Beer called Tafi which we bought in Nuku Alofa, although on reading the label it is brewed by Independent Breweries in Papakura !
We will be here a few days and will not send a blog each day , however we will send one longer one before we sail bound for Savusavu in Fiji.
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Fortunately we had a good steady wind last night and tried to pace our speed so that we would arrive in daylight at dawn , but on the other hand not wanting to waste a good wind lest it fizzled out over night again !
As it turned out we arrived about an hour before dawn and watched the sun rise behind the islands. We were delighted to see about ten humpback whales as we motored sailed in from the open sea, some surfacing just yards from the boat and then sounding again with a flourish in the air from their tails above the water. At other times they would blow and send a jet of spray into the morning air.
We have anchored in Port Maurelle along we about six other boats some of which are Charter boats.
We have not had much sleep in the last 48 hours but will sleep well tonight . We will celebrate our arrival with some Tongan Beer called Tafi which we bought in Nuku Alofa, although on reading the label it is brewed by Independent Breweries in Papakura !
We will be here a few days and will not send a blog each day , however we will send one longer one before we sail bound for Savusavu in Fiji.
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Friday, 15 August 2014
past Kao
Coordinates: 19 36.329 S 174 42.1 W
Bearing: 36 T
Wind Direction: SE
Wind Strength: 5 to 10 knots
Sea state: mild
Crew health: great
Other points of interest:
last night was a long one! we made fair progress during the day yesterday but in the evening the wind fluctuated then fizzled out . Becalmed on a smooth silky sea under the moonlight , the sails slatted so we took them down. about 4 am there were stirrings and eventually the wind built but a light wind day. We set the giant red reacher sail and hand steered all afternoon past the gloomy volcanic island of Kao its peak and crater 1046 metres high shrouded in mist and cloud. hopefully the wind will not die this evening , but light winds do make a restful change after the last few days before arriving in Tonga!
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Bearing: 36 T
Wind Direction: SE
Wind Strength: 5 to 10 knots
Sea state: mild
Crew health: great
Other points of interest:
last night was a long one! we made fair progress during the day yesterday but in the evening the wind fluctuated then fizzled out . Becalmed on a smooth silky sea under the moonlight , the sails slatted so we took them down. about 4 am there were stirrings and eventually the wind built but a light wind day. We set the giant red reacher sail and hand steered all afternoon past the gloomy volcanic island of Kao its peak and crater 1046 metres high shrouded in mist and cloud. hopefully the wind will not die this evening , but light winds do make a restful change after the last few days before arriving in Tonga!
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Thursday, 14 August 2014
Bound for Vava'u
Coordinates: 20 33.6 175 07.018
Bearing: 17 T
Wind Direction: Easterly
Wind Strength: 8 to 14 kn
Sea state: fairly placid
Crew health: marvellous
Fish caught: nil
Other points of interest:
Yesterday we checked out of Nuka Alofa , all the officials are very pleasant , but one must be patient and adjust to Island time. We raised the two anchors and cast off the shore lines and motor sailed out to Atata Island about 10 miles away . It was good to be away from the bustle, fumes and noise which are present in most ports. We enjoyed our stay in Nuku Alofa , it is a mix of the old and the new. The market in town probably has not changed for years but has heaps of tomatoes, carrots , cucumber , taro , papaya, bananas and much more. We have found that Kumara last well on board so we bought a huge bag for $6 nz which should last ages . Everything needs to be checked and cleaned or washed as we don't want ants , and other bugs setting up camp on board!
In town there is the occasional trendy cafe and phone companies busy selling mobile phones etc.
Today we sailed out through the reef and set our course for Vavau. A perfect day especially for Denise to find her sea legs. Sunshine, clear sky, deep blue sea and a light breeze . We set the self steering and have hardly had to adjust the sails all day.
The rebuilt strut for the drive shaft seems to be doing a great job, it is a relief to have it sorted.
More news tomorrow , I think it will be unlikely we will arrive in time before dark tomorrow as the winds are very light currently, but it cedrtainly makes for relaxing sailing.
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Bearing: 17 T
Wind Direction: Easterly
Wind Strength: 8 to 14 kn
Sea state: fairly placid
Crew health: marvellous
Fish caught: nil
Other points of interest:
Yesterday we checked out of Nuka Alofa , all the officials are very pleasant , but one must be patient and adjust to Island time. We raised the two anchors and cast off the shore lines and motor sailed out to Atata Island about 10 miles away . It was good to be away from the bustle, fumes and noise which are present in most ports. We enjoyed our stay in Nuku Alofa , it is a mix of the old and the new. The market in town probably has not changed for years but has heaps of tomatoes, carrots , cucumber , taro , papaya, bananas and much more. We have found that Kumara last well on board so we bought a huge bag for $6 nz which should last ages . Everything needs to be checked and cleaned or washed as we don't want ants , and other bugs setting up camp on board!
In town there is the occasional trendy cafe and phone companies busy selling mobile phones etc.
Today we sailed out through the reef and set our course for Vavau. A perfect day especially for Denise to find her sea legs. Sunshine, clear sky, deep blue sea and a light breeze . We set the self steering and have hardly had to adjust the sails all day.
The rebuilt strut for the drive shaft seems to be doing a great job, it is a relief to have it sorted.
More news tomorrow , I think it will be unlikely we will arrive in time before dark tomorrow as the winds are very light currently, but it cedrtainly makes for relaxing sailing.
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)