48:29N 130:34W

 

It is hard to believe, how much work is involved in keeping the boat moving efficiently in light, changeable winds and choppy, confused seas.

For the shortest distance covered on this passage (Log Day 17, 120 miles), we have lost count how many times we reefed and un-reefed, altered course,

poled out the head sail to one side and changed it back to the other side. We meandered along our run-line, which coincides with the East/West-bound shipping, heading in and out of Vancouver and Seattle, just to keep us on our toes and alert.

In all this, Heidi reluctantly gave up on the light winds, requiring Otto (the auto helm) to step in and steer to a magnetic course.

We also took advantage of running the engine for 5.5 hours and putting the sails to sleep, so we could all get a good rest for a while.

As we write this, we are glad to see a change with a fair breeze from the NW and Kahia is now stonking along at 7 knots very comfortably, a good start to Day 18.