Day One

Skye Blue sailing
Stephen and Malene
Tue 18 Nov 2025 03:48
It is boiling hot out there. We have whatever breath of wind, there is, behind us. So decided to roast a chicken.
 
Earlier there was water running over the floorboards at the chart table. It tasted salty. Controlled panic. Found the water maker filter housing had a leak. so fixed it with 2 bits of cloth. Needed propping up to stop the pressure release button getting stuck under the bracket. Two birds.
 
Did 160 nm since Vuda. Got some motor sailing in yesterday afternoon and evening.
 
This morning at dawn the water was almost glassy. Very calm. The swell is a rolly affair though. Must be the effects of the massive high to the east of us. Look it up. It is enormous.
 
Viti Levu got some pretty nasty lightning storms last night. Looked like it was in the direction of Suva. Too close for comfort. The only comfort was that we were going 7-8 kts in the opposite direction. Did get some flashes overnight further out. CAPE should be lower from now on.
 
Switched off Bertie for 45 minutes to cool down and check oil. That was a sweaty job!
 
All in all a very un-dramatic start to our voyage. Long may that last.
 
All i swell.
 
Your Skye Blue crew, Tuesday afternoon
 
20:26.5193S 176:53.4321E