Tasman Sea, (Lat 40 05S, Lon 158 35E), Course 80 degrees (compass)
Thursday 30 January 2020
If ever there was a dream run to New Zealand, this is it. The wind has remained 15 knots from the North West. We are heading East. And with the full main and big genoa hoisted, we have been powering along at around 7 knots over calm seas as if we are stuck on rails.
Mercifully, we have been able to give the engine a rest for the past 12 hours or so, saving us fuel of course, but also enabling us to feel the sea passing by and hear the whistle of wind in the rigging.
It’s been so calm that John and I got stuck into some construction tasks aboard; involving much cutting, sanding and drilling of wood and miscellaneous bits. John’s task revolved around the shower seat – making sure the legs remain vertical when in use.
My job had me cutting a big hole in the floor-panel under the navigation table so as to better accommodate feet and legs. It’s long overdue, because for the past 14 years, every time I’ve squeezed into the space, it’s bugged me that there is no room for your feet to rest naturally, unless you’re under about 5 feet 4 inches tall. I’ve now almost completed the work, and for the first time I can honestly say I have happy feet while typing, or doing anything at the chart table. Now we’ve just got to complete modifications to the seat and back rest! Maybe tomorrow
Jim put his hand up to cook dinner tonight and served up a very tasty stir-fry noodle “ensemble”, with fresh vegetables, and noodles, and flavours and stuff. We even got through a bottle of white wine without spilling a drop. It might be calm, but a special kind of “at anchor” calm is needed to prevent wine glasses from toppling over.
To share the watch-times around, everyone decided to switch the order up a bit … just for a change. We now have John on duty till 9:00pm … he’s now had a hot shower and gone to bed (luxury) … Jim is in the cockpit now till 12 midnight … and it really is sublime out there with starry sky, setting crescent moon and a steady warm breeze from the north west. Last I looked Gee was sound asleep, because he takes the reigns from 12-3am, after which Jorge and Jodi take over till dawn.
Seems the best hand to be dealt here is to ME. I don’t get a set time … which doesn’t necessarily mean I can get a solid 9 hours sleep with no responsibility. It just means I’m available to assist with sail changes, and decision making if conditions change significantly
It is great to have six on board. Particularly the present company. Everyone is making a significant contribution, and no one person becomes strained or fatigued
We are all looking forward to having fish on the menu … I suspect it’ll be out of a can before our hooks and line pay for themselves. I think I’ll check the warranty.
Smooth seas fair breeze and the dream run continues
Rob Latimer
NZ2020 