0800 Position 19-10S 168-03W. Days run 192 miles. 100 miles from Niue
The wind stayed out of the north all day yesterday and we enjoyed great sailing in flat water and sunny skies.
At 6PM the wind lightened up and headed us to where we couldn't lay Niue anymore, so we turned on the engine and rolled up the jib. So far the wind had matched the gribs exactly as the high pressure area passed. By my interpretation of the forecast, the wind would continue backing, pass through due west at about 3AM, and quickly settle in the south. I was sleeping in my bunk and woke when the boat tacked from starboard to port. I looked at my watch. 230AM. The shift was a half hour early. Still, it amazes me that the forecasts are so accurate out here in the middle of nowhere.
By 4AM the wind had come far enough aft to set the jib and kill the engine. Since then the mighty Van Diemen has been screaming along on a beam reach at ten knots aimed straight for Niue.
We should arrive there right around sunset tonight, but if we are a bit later it is no big deal. Niue's anchorage is an open roadstead on the west side of the island. The Niue Yacht Club has fourteen moorings there for visiting yachts. Rob has been in contact with the club by email, and as of yesterday there were nine empty moorings available. It should be easy to approach and pick one of them up after dark. Our only deadline is to get settled there in time to enjoy an evening "Van Diemen" tonight after completing SOP 1.
----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment