Today we cross the 1/2 way mark just about exactly 6 days after we left.

Half way is defined as the distance left to go as the crow flies. So far we have sailed 900+ miles with an average speed of 6.2 knots and max speed of 14 knots. Half way says we only have 832 miles left to go. But since the first half was over 900 miles, I’m sure the second half will be more than the mentioned 832. The downsides of not being a crow. Plus I don’t think the crow could fly non-stop for 1664 miles.

Hmm.. 1664? I think I just realized that is one of them beers I used to drink in London when there for work.

We reefed down for the night, course it was a beautiful night as the moon was bright and not a cloud in the sky. So really could have keep the sail up. Oh well. Just when the moon set a couple of squalls came out to play so it was good thing at 5am (still using Tahiti time onboard) that the sail was reefed down.

Back to 1 reef, trying find a comfortable direction today is proving a challenge. The waves have built and the wind is just a bit much given the waves to run a spinnaker without the potential for a shredded sail to deal with. The waves are quartering so they push this brick shaped boat up down and over as they go under the boat. Not terrible but there are much more pleasant angles to sail, just wouldn’t be taking us to where we want to go. We could go to NIUE if it was open. We are pointed right at it right now.

The 1/2 way celebration was not complete till the guests of honor arrived. No not us, but a bunch of friendly whales. I think they were dolphins in a previous life for the amount of time they were playing in the waves and swimming all around Sugar Shack. They were probably as excited to see us as we were to see them. We were so excited watching them play we missed some great photos. We managed a few from the moving boat in the seas. One swam right under the port hull that I was standing on looking down. I’m sure it was deeper that she looked but there wasn’t much clearance. Too bad we were outside or we could have checked the depth gauge.

A great day.

854 miles to go, All well on board

Celebrated 1/2 way with pork chops and smashed tatters per Christine’s request.

[tag Live,Passage,underway]

A wonderful day of sailing, knocking off the miles. Nothing but blue every where, what is your favorite shade of blue?

After a nice fun sail we were rewarded with another fabulous sunset.

Got rid of the hardest number in the distance to go, killed that first 1! Now down into the triple digits. Tomorrow we should cross the 1/2 way mark. The forecast looks like there is plenty of wind to get us to Fiji, no more glassy waters (so it seems).

The waves are here, 2 meter but not terrible. When deciding to add more sail or keep the reef, we were discussing the motion of the boat. After shaking out the reef, and raising a little more sail, Christine said “It’s not and less uncomfortable than without it”.. What I think she said is its not any worse going faster. I think it was time for her nap. :).

Had the fishing lines out for while today, but still no sign of life. No flying fish, no squid on deck in the morning, no birds. Will probably wait till we get amongst the sea mounds and submerged reefs about 400 miles ahead.

Butter chicken bow tie pasta for dinner as we take or sights on the 1/2 way mark.

965 miles to go.

All good on board

[tag Live,Passage,underway]

Last nights sunset over glassy waters was beautiful.

So the wind never really came back enough to sail for very long, we tried a couple of times but wind was just not there. Settled into running one engine just above idle to keep forward progress and the autopilot able to steer the boat. Seas were so calm and flat, we both slept like rocks on our off shifts. Christine even let me have an extra hour to catch up.

WIth hopes of wind returning in the forecast and emails from Texas watching our progress, time for some bacon. Bacon always starts a day our right!

Well, winds didn’t get the message to rise and shine early. Was just before lunch when they started to fill in. It is always great after a ‘calming’ and the winds are coming back. The sea is flat, the wind is filling in. It’s like sailing on a lake, the waves haven’t had time to build with the wind yet, and so you get nice wind and no choppy seas.

We started the day with with an engine running making under 5 knots, we are ending the day with a now reefed main doing 8-9 knots and bouncing over the waves that have built through out the day. Not nearly as comfortable as motoring in the calm, but we are knocking off the miles.

Chicken Tuscany with a nice wine was for dinner, minus the wine. This is passage and gotta stay ready for whatever curve balls are thrown at you!

1100 miles to Fiji, if the winds keep up we will break the magical 1000 mile barrier tomorrow and be heading for the 1/2 mark in a day or two.

WInds are 18kn from the South East, seas are 1.5-2M (5-6 feet) and the boat is moving along at 7-8 knots with one reef in the main.

All well on board.

[tag Live,Passage,underway]