Category Archives: Vanuatu to Marshall Islands

36 Hours into the passage to the Marshall Islands

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Out there just a “Motor boating” … It’s a sure a pleasant passage so far with the exception of the drone of the engine, but without it we would be bobbing around like the last beer in the cooler on a long hot day just waiting for someone to pick you.

The wind has been as expected light and the water glass smooth. The main sail is still up in hopes of the wind returning.

Ghosting along

First day fishing was pretty good, tho it was catch and release day. One healthy skippy jack tuna, not a favorite, was the first to get interested in one of our offerings. Then just as dinner time was approaching the other line took off, its our small reel with a small lure that I have been dreaming of Mahi Mahi. But alas, the reel was almost spooled before slowing. Lots of spectacular splashing way back from the boat. Lo and behold a blue marlin had picked on the pink Mahi 2000 lure. Took a bit, but was able to bring him in and let him swim off to contemplate chasing small pink lures in his future.

Second day was more fishing than catching. The pink Mahi 2000 saw some activity. With the slow boat speed and glassy water I could see the fish bite and release half a dozen or more times but always just shy of the hook.

Slow going, but still going ..

Hopeful that the wind will return, the forecast did change, the ‘blue hole’ that is ahead of us is getting smaller. For the first time in a while there is no real pressure to “get there” other than mental health before going stir crazy.

Cleaned the teak between naps. Saved some for tomorrow, need to save something for tomorrow or polishing the stainless will become the task to keep the stir crazy from setting in.

Christine’s favorite, Pork Chops for dinner. Just like the executivo from Costa Rica, complete with fried plantains. Yes it’s that calm that stove top frying is a possible.

Still over 1000 miles to go. All good on board, nothing to see just many many shades of blue.

First 24 Hours to Marshalls

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A perfect morning for a sail. A little gray, not too much sun to get sun burnt. Nice gentle breeze, no drama when the sails are up. Still behind the reef so very little waves. Pretty sweet.

Sails up, and off to the races we go. First day, going conservative start with one reef in the main sail, just incase the forecast is a little off. Works perfectly, nice easy sail. As “Lonely Island’s” song goes “Busting 8 knots in my flippy floppies”. Nice start.

Still concerned about the SPCZ thunderstorms that would be ahead, but just as Moses did the red sea, the SPCZ split and left us alone. Warnings to the left of us, and some to the right, but the center was clear. Yippie.

However, the splitting left us with very little wind to sail with so we changed the stereo station from Pop to Country we landed on “Little Big Towns” “Pontoon” with the Chorus .. Motor Boating. For the next few days at least that “Motor boating” song will be stuck in your head and ours as we endure the drone of an engine to make reasonable progress.

The blue zone, comes with perks too. No electrical worries, batteries will be fully charged. Water tanks full, no reason not to run the water maker. Warm water, all the warm water you use.

Glassy conditions, sail ready should the wind show up

The blue zone was in the forecast, it just came a little sooner than hoping and the blue zone has gotten much larger ahead of us. We will not be setting any 24 distance records with just one motor running, we only dropped off a mere 130 nm toward Majuro, Marshall Islands in the first 24 hours.

So all good on the big watery road, a nice chicken peanut curry for dinner. Too many miles left to count…. 😎

The Journey begins by pulling the hook

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Well the journey begins well before the passage starts…

Destination researched, formalities discovered, paperwork agonized, meals prepped, boat stocked, safety gear organized, weather scrutinized all leading to sheer chaos or mental madness.

Waiting on clear skies.

This next voyage will commence in a few hours. Some 1300 miles away is Majuro, Marshall Islands. Majuro is nearly due north from where we are in Vanuatu, just across the equator so to speak. To get there we will go through 2 weird weather convergence zones, hopefully we have chosen a decent time cross the ITCZ and SPCZ, places where the weather comes together to argue. Think about it this way, the toilets in the northern hemisphere flush counter clockwise, and in the southern hemisphere flush clockwise. (Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0778446/plotsummary/) We will be trying not to argue with the hemisphere’s choices on the direction of the spin but simply pass through without getting all caught up in their political agendas.

What normally happens in the zones is squalls or no wind.

So it begins