14:58.51S 175:33.05W

Farr Gone Blog
Stuart Cannon
Thu 7 Jul 2011 19:37
Getting there. We have 300 nm to go to Savu Savu, our port of entry into Fiji. The seas are unpleasant and Seaman Cannon has been feeling queasy especially below decks, but he hasn't allowed it to interfere with him helping to get the boat to Fiji. We dropped the main last night as the auto pilot couldn't cope with the forces and we have slowed from 9's to 6's but it feels more civilised sailing under headsail alone.
It seems very humid and we had a short but intense tropical downpour earlier which gave the boat a good de salting but left the air feeling damp. Thankfully the breeze is easing a bit and good sailing conditions seem to be returning. We had good conditions yesterday until about three am this morning when it all got a bit too hard but it seems to be moderating and getting pleasant again.
In another 150 miles we will be entering the rather maze like reef and island system that is Fiji. There are a considerable number of reefs so Jack will be employed as reef spotter on the bow. There are something like 300 islands in the group and countless coral reef systems. It will call for careful navigation.