04.50S 115.06W 30th July 2011

Mojo 2
Andrew Partington
Sun 31 Jul 2011 02:53
Just a short one tonight.
We have sailed 172NM in the 24 hour period to 11am and the way we are tearing along we may exceed that by tomorrow.
Last night we had wind from the south-east at over 20 knots and gusting to 27 on several occasions and for several hours. This was fine because we were on a broad reach and not beating into it the way we were going to Galapagos.
This wind strength was the the peak but we are still seeing 20 knots plus at times and are consistently above 18 knots. We are sailing with reefed main and genoa. The genneker did not even get close to a run today.
It is great to be moving quickly but give me 12 knots and the genneker any day over this. It becomes harder with everything you do on the boat. It is harder to move about the boat and physically more draining.
The weather is changing constantly from clouds to clear sky and the wind speed with it.
We have today altered course to head to Tahiti and unfortunately will not go to the Marquesas at all. Jane would have to fly out of the Marquesas and it would leave me with noboby to help me sail the boat to Tahiti. This will add another 400NM to the journey but the way we are travelling maybe not too many more days. We are loaded with fuel, food and water.
Sailed past some large whales late today and they put on a bit of a show for us.
1950NM to our waypoint before turning to Tahiti.
Andrew Partington,