4th Sept - Day 4

SY Saphir -
Jeff & Doreen
Mon 5 Sep 2022 03:49
12:33s 160:56w

Another fantastic days sailing in ESE 14-18 knots of wind. It has been so good that I feel there must be something around the corner waiting for us!!

The wind shift came almost to the hour it was forecast and shifted at about 02.00. We gybed at 03.00, which took about 30 minutes with having to swap the pole and preventers over in the dark, and then had a few hours of light and variable winds. However by 08.00 the shift had stabilised and we really started to make some good miles. The forecast for the next five days is more of the same so I hope we can make some good progress towards our destination during this time.

Our noon to noon run was only 139nm today but you have to take into account that is between two points and we have sailed two sides of a triangle to get there. I think tomorrow should be much better.

Our new course of 260 degrees true will take us between American Samoa and Samoa, probably in three days time, but early tomorrow we will pass to the north of Suwarrow which is one of the Cook Islands. Another place that would be nice to visit as it is little more that a reef in the middle of nowhere, but not this time unfortunately. After the Samoas we will keep more or less on the same course to the top of Vanua Levu, one of the main Fijian islands, and then skirt around to the east to a pass in the reef by Port Denarau on Viti Levu where we will clear in.

All in all nothing much to report. There has been very little sea life to speak of and we have seen no boats today. I have some maintenance jobs on the list for tomorrow if the weather is OK but in the meantime we will keep enjoying the sailing, solitude and life onboard.

As I write we have 1364nm to go.

Another interview with the first mate tomorrow :) Watch this space!!

All for now

Cheers
Saphir.