UTC/Local Time: 2130/1130 a.m. Tahiti Time
Latitude: 16 03.508 S
Longitude: 145 37.363 W
Course Over Ground: At Anchor
Wind Direction: Southeast 120 degrees, 14 knots
Sea Swell: 0, windwaves 1 foot
Sky: 80% cloud cover, squallish, raining at the moment
Barometric Pressure: 1019 +2, 84 degrees F, 80% humidity
Update:
After 5 days of sailing, we are at anchor in Fakarava, Tuomotu. We had hoped to go to a smaller atoll north of Fakarava first, but at 5:30 a.m. it was decision time, turn into the 25 knots of wind and motor through a squall line and 9 foot seas to reach an atoll with a tiny opening or continue on the same course and try to enter Fakarava by 10:30 a.m. when the conditions might be more favorable. We chose the second option, knowing that we might have to pass this atoll by as well.
A couple of boats, Trim and IO, that had flashed past us during the journey were outside the channel and had been hanging out for slack tide, having made the same decision. We had purposely slowed our speed way down so that we would not have to heave to. It also made an uncomfortable sea more bearable. I think all of us sailors are exhausted from the last 72 hours of sailing, 9-12 foot seas, consistent 20 knots and more of wind, gusts up to 30 knots, and too many squalls to count.
The opening into Fakarava is well marked, and our Nobeltec Navigation system has been very accurate in French Polynesia. Much more so than in Mexico. Considering how we have to weave our way through the coral reef atolls, we are very thankful for the accuracy, particularly at night when we cannot use dead reckoning. Unlike the Marquesas which have huge land masses protruding out of the sea, atolls are flat and the palm trees as we approached looked like they were growing out of the water. We kept very close if not on top of our course line all through the night.
By the time we entered the channel, the wind had subsided to 20 knots, the current coming out of the atoll was only 2 knots, and the wind waves/swell were about 1-2 meters having splashed over and through the coral on the south-south east side. With our motor on and sails down, we followed Trim and IO in. Several of the other Puddle Jump Boats are in this atoll as well.
We are anchored in 48 feet of water. The anchorage is not idyllic calm, but far better than being at sea. We are all glad that we made it in and hope to enjoy this atoll a couple of days before heading to Tahiti. We may attempt some sail repair. During our trip, we lost another Seven Seas Sailing Association Flag overboard when the port flag halyard snapped. The starboard flags are wound up in a roll and will need to be detangled along with the topping lift that just got caught up in our wind generator. The fun never stops. Since we have never been in this neck of the "sea", we don't know whether the wind and sea conditions are the norm or out of the norm due to the southern low/storm and/or El Nino. It's just been a bit more than we expected.
We are all looking forward to a shower in calm waters and a little R & R. Snorkeling and drift diving is supposed to be the best here, so we are looking forward to some time in the water, catnaps, feet on the ground, and fresh baguettes.
All is well on Worrall Wind.
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