We hoist the Blue Peter to head for Nelson, NZ

The Schooner Maggie B has finally hoisted the Blue Peter. The Blue Peter is Code Flag “Papa” which is white in the center and blue outside. It means “outward bound” and was a warning to crew that a ship was ready to sail. We are off for Nelson, New Zealand after clearing Customs and finishing all the last minute errands.

Those with a meteorologic interest should check the Commanders forecast which is posted somewhere on the web site. There is a “deep gale” out in front of us in the Tasman Sea. This is good news as it will throw off southerlies behind it, which we should pick up tonight. More interesting is a “monster late fall gale” with pressure to 960mb south of Tasmania, but coming this way. We should be timed just right that we will have the help of this first one, then a day of motoring and then pick up the Northerlies of the next one, and tuck ourselves into Nelson well before it gets too big. Our usual rule is to motor when the wind gets light enough so we slow to four knots. This trip it will be six knots. I don’t want to hang out in the Tasman Sea and get the full brunt of this second low.

All is well.