Passage To The Galapagos Islands Day 7
Oyster Moon
Paul Foskett & Rhu Nash
Thu 8 Mar 2012 17:13
Passage To The Galapagos Islands Day 7
We left the Las Perlas Islands heading for Galapagos at 10.00 am local time Panama on the 2 Mach 2012.
Day 7 Distance to go, 129 miles.
Log reading now 13582
Distance through the water was 137 miles, and distance over the ground was 1134 miles, an improvement over yesterday.
Noon to Noon on the 8th March 12
More wind throughout the day and night, so we have made a slight improvement in our progress towards Galapagos. We have managed to get about 20 hours of sailing done over the last 24 hours, even though at times it has been a bit slow.
We are still keeping the engine RPM down at the 2,200 level to conserve fuel. This might change if we have to motor over the next 24 hours or so, as we are now close enough and have enough fuel to put the RPM up.
No rain today great.
The wildlife put on a bit of a landing display just before sunset. We had lots of Blue Booby sea birds, trying to and successfully landing on the bow rail of the boat. Once one had landed, another one would try, and as it landed the other would protest with loud squawks and waving of its blue beak, with the occasional peck at the other bird. The most we had on the rail at any one time was three, but others kept trying to land but just no room at the Oyster Moon roosting stop. Pictures will follow when we get WI-FI.
Still not caught any fish, I have now tried four different lures, what to do next!!! Well today as it hopefully will be our last full day at sea and with the promise of filet steak for supper, I have put the rod away for this part of the trip
All the other boats in the group have now set off.
Marita 3 left about three hours before us, 2nd March, and they are now on the 8th March 52 miles behind us.
Karacool left on the 3rd March and they are now on the 8th March 125 miles behind us. The benefit of a 53 CAT is now starting to show now that the wind has increased slightly.
Camelot left 3rd March and they are now on the 8th March 165 miles behind us. She is also 53 feet but a mono hull.
Like us, the rest of the group are still doing a combination of sailing and motor sailing, and all like us are make slow but steady progress towards Galapagos.
We have re-calculated our expected arrival time depending on various boat speeds. The results are as follows:-
If we average 5.8 knots, we would arrive at noon on Friday the 9th. I think with the wind we have now this may be possible.
If we average 5.2 knots, we would arrive at 18.00 on Friday the 9th. I think with the wind we have this very possible, but we hope to get in slightly earlier to avoid arriving at sunset.
So we wait and see.
Next report on the 9th.
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