Location 29° 35S, 132° 21W
Tuesday, 10.23.2007

The Schooner Maggie B was at 29° 35S, 132° 21W at noon on October 23. We were just barely sailing at 3.7 knots in an 8-10 knot breeze from the NW, which put it on our port quarter. We had “The Bird,” our G2 gennaker up with full main and the fore doused, to give more of the breeze to the Bird. All our tricks were of no use as the breeze died out to 6-8 knots and we started the engine, at long-range cruise of 1800 rpm, using about one gallon per hour to get six knots.

Our basic rule is that if we can see any white caps, we can sail. Sailors will recognize this as Beaufort Force Three.

We have come 2007 NM from Rangiroa and have 2910 to go to Puerto Montt. We shifted to GMT -9 when we crossed Latitude 135.5. Papeete was -10, the same as Hawaii, and Chile is -4, the same as Halifax (depending on DST).

Furuno USA have been a huge help with technical advice on our radar/GPS/autopilot system. Some might say that a really good system shouldn’t need technical advice after 1 1/2 years at sea, but ours is sophisticated and complex and takes some care and feeding. It is so great to be able to reach a knowledgeable person first try (from 10,000 NM away) and get an answer that solves our problems. If Jorge, the autopilot, is happy, the crew is happy.

Every season, passage and watch has its celestial delights. Right now my midnight watch is blessed by having moonset, followed not long after by Arcturus, the Bear Keeper, rising in the ENE, bright like container ship’s steaming light. Orion and the Pleiades stick with me the whole watch.

Hannah made dessert for us today. Fresh tea biscuits with canned peaches and mandarin oranges, covered with strawberry yogurt. Yum!

All is well.