Latitude: 18 55.549 S
Longitude: 175.23.196 W
Course Over Ground: 240 Magnetic
Wind Direction: SE 18-22 knots
Sea Swell: ESE 6-9 feet fast moving 10 seconds apart
Sky: 90% clouds
Barometric Pressure: 1016
Update: Day 1
We were up by 5:45 this morning, dressed, downloading last minute weather information, closing ports and hatches, taking off sun screens, and doing numerous little adjustments. Stew, potato salad, chicken pilaf, and hard boiled eggs are in the frig ready to eat.
By 7:00 a.m., we were off of the mooring ball and heading out the Neiafu harbor in company with Brian and Claudia on Skylight, Hareka on Serendipity, and a Swedish Boat Ahmwana (sp). Susie and David on Sidewinder were leaving a southern anchorage and would catch up with us on the course line. Another Fiji bound boat checked into the net, Sympatica. They are ahead of us by about 15 miles and must have left earlier. Three of the boats including us are headed to southern Fiji, Lautoka about 530 miles. I'm not sure about the other boats. From their course reports they may be headed to Suva.
The morning was grey and the southeast trades were blowing 15-20. The sea swells have kept us rocking most of the day. It's not going to be an easy sail. What a surprise! We have a triple reefed main and 80% of our jib out, running between a beam and a broad reach, averaging about 6.4 knots, but still the slowest in our little armada. By night fall we are about 10 miles behind the fastest boat Serendipity, and 4 miles behind Skylight. Sidewinder not only caught us, but have now passed us and Skylight. This is the first time since the Baja Ha Ha that we have sailed with a small fleet. Occasionally, we see mast lights on the horizon. By morning, we will be quite a ways behind. I'm glad we are not close to the other boats. It makes it less stressful. The moon is full tonight and when it finds an opening in the clouds, it illuminates the seascape and the rush of foam as waves rush under, around, and over Worrall Wind.
I have first watch tonight 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. and Russ is sleeping.
We are checking in with the Sea Farer's Ham Net at 0330 UTC, 14.300 USB, during our passage, and with the Penguin Net on 8104 at 0600 UTC and 1830 UTC.
All is well with the 2 Sail R's on Worrall Wind.
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