Off the curb and out into traffic. . .

The Schooner Maggie B got underway from Opua for Tahiti at about 1320, 17 July. We had been waiting for the “right” low pressure system, to jump on its shoulder and ride it East to about 155 degrees West, heading along the 35 South parallel. At least that is what all the old salts tell us to do. Waiting got old. So we jumped on the back of a little low, and right now have a nice 15 knots westerly blowing us along direct to Tahiti at about eight knots. Tahiti is about 2200 NM, or perhaps two weeks. We may stop in the Australs, about 200 NM south of Tahiti, if the weather permits.

Unlike the big South Atlantic High or the high in the Southern Indian Ocean, the South Pacific East of New Zealand responds to many different influences, rather than one dominant weather maker. We will just have to play them as they come.

It was very hard for all of us to leave New Zealand. The people have been very friendly, it is a very, very yachtie environment, world-class boat support, lovely towns, tons of fun things to do ashore, excellent food (oysters, baby lamb, seafood) and superb wines. We won’t forget out new friends, and hope that we might be able to see them soon again.

Ben Carpenter of Bristol, England has joined the crew. He is 27 and has been working in New Zealand as a carpenter, looking for a chance to crew on a sailboat for the Islands. He was a star in the recent Russell Birdman Competition, winning “MC’s Choice.” He has had previous Blue Water experience sailing around Australia.

All is well.

Commanders Weather Corporation
Tuesday 12:00, 07.17.07

From: Commanders’ Weather Corporation
Route: Opua, NZ to Tahiti
Est position: approx. 34 20S/176 10E, 12utc Tue, July 17, 2007
Prepared: 1700utc Tue, July 17, 2007

Summary

Next 7 days look good

Center of the 1007MB low will slide E of NZ today

Increasing your W winds and turning them out of the WSW to SW duringthe 18th and 19th

Very weak area of high pressure fills in behind the low - lighteningyour winds out of the SW during the 19th

The next, strong low/cold front has pushed across Tasmania and into the SW Tasman Sea early today

This low is still forecast to deepen as it crosses the Tasman duringthe 20th and slides E across the NZ Northland on the 21st

Helping to build your winds out of the NW ahead of the front from the 21st through the 24th

The intense low is expected to move S to near 45S/175W by 00utc on the 22nd, but the 989MB low will be strong enough to keep NW winds gusty alongyour route through the weekend

Winds from the strong high pressure that follows this low are expectedto back your winds out of the SE and then E during the end of your trip

Routing

Rhumbline looks good, at least for the first week, in the W clocking to NW winds

Might have to adjust your routing for the last 3 days, as the stronghigh catches up to you

Routed you around 170nm/day in lighter winds on Friday, but usually figured you for 200 nm/day

Wind forecasts
Wind directions are TRUE, wind speed in kts, and time is UTC

Wed, July 18
00: 280-260/15-23 g30 nr 34S/178 10E
06: 280-260/14-22 g30
12: 270-250/12-20 g25
Weather: Variably cloudy, with increasing chc of showers/squalls
Seas building to 8-10ft

Thu, July 19
00: 260-240/12-20 g30 nr 32 40S/178W
06: 240-260/10-18 g25
12: 260-290/10-16
Weather: Variably cloudy, with some showers/squalls
Seas diminishing to 5-8ft

Fri, July 20
00: 280-300/10-18 near 31 30S/175W
12: 290-310/10-15
Weather: Variably cloudy, with some showers / squalls
Seas diminishing to 4-7ft

Sat, July 21
00: 310-330/13-20 g30 near 30 20S/172 20W
12: 320-340/15-23 g30
Weather: Variably cloudy, with scattered showers/thunderstorms
Seas building to 5-9ft

Sun, July 22
00: 320-340/18-25 g35 near 29S/169W
12: 330-350/15-22 g30
Weather: Variably cloudy, with isolated chc showers/thunderstorms
Seas building quickly to 8-11ft