Rain
Where Next?
Bob Williams
Wed 26 Aug 2026 02:20
Course: East Speed 5.5 knots
Wind: N, F3 gentle breeze
Sea state: moderate Swell: N, 2 meters
Weather: overcast, light drizzle, mild
Day's run: 144 nm
We have enjoyed another respectable day's run with winds continuing fresh out of the north, then easing overnight to a now gentle force three, allowing Sylph to beam reach under all plain sail (main and jib) at a comfortable five to six knots. We experienced a lot of rain last night, which I presume was the beginning of the trough passing through. The wind has not shifted direction yet but I expect it will back into the west then SW later today.
While offshore I generally rely on weather facsimiles broadcast (free) over the HF network for my weather information, which provide a good overview of what is going on in terms of analysis and prognosis maps. I combine these with voice broadcasts, also over HF radio frequencies, and grib files received via the satphone to assess the next few days' weather, obviously a critical part of sailing a small vessel safely in open waters (and inexpensive - also an important consideration for us long-term small-budget voyagers).
We are now coming to the edge of Australia's more detailed coverage and I was looking to switch to New Zealand's weather fax service but on looking up my weather fax schedules I find that NZ shut down its service in 2023 - very disappointing. It would seem my methods of getting around the planet are becoming increasingly obsolete. For now we shall have to make do with Australia's weather service (which, by the way, is one of the best in the world in my opinion) and once we leave NZ we will try out Hawaii's weather fax service.
ETA Opua 2 September.
All is well.