Day 7, surprised by 40 knots of wind!
Kahia
Paul and Catherine Davis
Mon 17 Jun 2013 04:30
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20:02S 178:09E
Sailing upwind is always a bit of a difficult one, but
to be surprised by a sudden squall was a good challenge. Yesterday around 17.00
NZ Local Time, winds went up to 40 Kts and we had to yield westward, as close to
the wind as was comfortable. Everything went hay wise for a few hours and
then we sailed on with 25-30 Kts from ENE. Most of the night was rough. Now we
are still sailing with ENE winds at steady 18 Kts, waiting for the Easterlies to
appear so that we can sail Eastwards again. If they have not arrived in the next
30 nm, we will have to change tack, as we don't want to end up in Vanuatu
yet...
Hilda (Our Hydrovane) has been helming most of the
time, although Otto (our Autopilot) had to take over in the gale force
conditions to keep us steadfastly as close to our track as possible. These two
are making our long passages viable and relatively easy!
It is hot, hot, hot! We are happy to be in the Tropics
again. In about 55 nm we will approach Kadavu Island and sail in Fijian waters.
This means we will have to keep alert to look out for all the small
islands and reefs until we reach Point Passage to Savusavu on Vanua Levu Island
in approx. 215 nm. perhaps we will even spot another vessel. Since we have left
NZ, we have not seen a single ship or vessel.
168 hour (7 day) log: covered 956 nm
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