We have arrived! And what an arrival it was. As we got alongside the island, just after sunset last night- we smelled the windshift, OMG!
It was if all of your sensory organs were freaking out... the fragrance after weeks at sea was shocking! breathtaking! ... something I will never forget! And then if you looked at our track you saw that we spent last night outside going back and forth(and back and forth and back and forth and... waiting for light- but it was well worth the wait! We ventured into an amazing anchorage- peaks in the clouds on one side and trees, meadows, and forests on the other with a few houses interspersed.
We anchored, got our stuff somewhat together and then worked on getting water(its been a few days) and cleaning the boat up after a good long voyage. Then showers ashore and laundry! I know that's not the most romantic thing to do but after 19 days at sea it was awesome!
We are not walking straight on land nor sea right now but have Nirvana here safely and ready for the next adventure!
Cheers!
SV Nirvana out.
Yes! vino!
new years day race
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
5/28/14 update
Nirvana anchored up at Hiva Oa this morning. I'm sure they are extremely happy to be there to get fresh water and stand on firm land.
Gigi, Axel and I arrived in Tahiti early this morning. Tomorrow we fly out to meet Nirvana. We all are loving the climate, the fauna and the laid back attitudes.
Tomorrow communications may get more limited, but we will try to get info out frequently.
Julie
Gigi, Axel and I arrived in Tahiti early this morning. Tomorrow we fly out to meet Nirvana. We all are loving the climate, the fauna and the laid back attitudes.
Tomorrow communications may get more limited, but we will try to get info out frequently.
Julie
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Nirvana expected arrival Wed morning
Nirvana is expected to arrive Wed morning. They are all eager to make landfall.
The kids and I fly out this afternoon and will meet the boat in Hiva Oa on Thursday. Just enough time for them to clean themselves and the boat.
Julie
The kids and I fly out this afternoon and will meet the boat in Hiva Oa on Thursday. Just enough time for them to clean themselves and the boat.
Julie
5/26/14 life onboard
As of today, Monday May 26th, it has been exactly one month since I left Vancouver, BC to join Nirvana on her voyage to the South Pacific. Seeing as up to this point the entirety of my "sea faring" experience has consisted of hour and a half rides on the BC super ferries, I really had no idea what to expect. I never thought of myself as the high-maintenance type of girl, but this trip has challenged that notion. I realized that my ideas of what qualifies as edible, comfortable, clean, or dry were going to have to change if I was going to make it to the Marquesas. The movement of the boat makes even the simplest task so much of a challenge that it goes beyond frustrating right to hilarious watching each other try to do things that would normally take little to no thought.
I've also learned a fair bit about sailing. Don't get me wrong, I by no means consider myself a competent sailor, but I've at least gone from having no idea what the rest of the crew is talking about to having a vague understanding of what is going on.
Here are a few things that I have learned on my longest (and shortest) sailing trip:
-Despite what anyone says, having a bird poo on your face sure doesn't SEEM lucky.
-If you're going to be hit by a wave, it will be at the beginning of your night watch rather than at the end of it. Or as soon as you've gotten yourself comfortably set up in a beanbag with a book.
-Beanbag chairs are an essential part of sailing gear.
-Flushing the "head" should count as cardio.
-Starboard tack doesn't exist - there have been rumors, but so far I have seen no evidence to support that it does.
-Flying fish are to boats as bugs are to windscreens.
-The water isn't always rough, but when it is, it prefers that Gary is trying to cook at the time.
-The most accurate depiction of life at sea is in Mel Brooke's Dracula Dead and Loving it (youtube the scene where Dracula's coffin is being shipped to England).
-When in doubt, don't try to use your face to break your fall.
-Finally, there is nothing that compares to how blue the ocean is offshore, how incredible the stars are on a clear night, how awe-inspiring it is to to see nothing but the ocean in any direction, or how incredible it is to be surrounded by dolphins at night, with only their bioluminescent trails visible.
Today, we continue to charge full-speed ahead, fueled by PB&Js and gingerale. With Hiva Oa less than 200 miles away, I can't say I'm not eagerly awaiting the chance to get back on land. But I can say that Nirvana's crossing has been the most uniquely challenging and rewarding adventure of my life so far, and I am truly grateful that I have been given this opportunity!
Angela
I've also learned a fair bit about sailing. Don't get me wrong, I by no means consider myself a competent sailor, but I've at least gone from having no idea what the rest of the crew is talking about to having a vague understanding of what is going on.
Here are a few things that I have learned on my longest (and shortest) sailing trip:
-Despite what anyone says, having a bird poo on your face sure doesn't SEEM lucky.
-If you're going to be hit by a wave, it will be at the beginning of your night watch rather than at the end of it. Or as soon as you've gotten yourself comfortably set up in a beanbag with a book.
-Beanbag chairs are an essential part of sailing gear.
-Flushing the "head" should count as cardio.
-Starboard tack doesn't exist - there have been rumors, but so far I have seen no evidence to support that it does.
-Flying fish are to boats as bugs are to windscreens.
-The water isn't always rough, but when it is, it prefers that Gary is trying to cook at the time.
-The most accurate depiction of life at sea is in Mel Brooke's Dracula Dead and Loving it (youtube the scene where Dracula's coffin is being shipped to England).
-When in doubt, don't try to use your face to break your fall.
-Finally, there is nothing that compares to how blue the ocean is offshore, how incredible the stars are on a clear night, how awe-inspiring it is to to see nothing but the ocean in any direction, or how incredible it is to be surrounded by dolphins at night, with only their bioluminescent trails visible.
Today, we continue to charge full-speed ahead, fueled by PB&Js and gingerale. With Hiva Oa less than 200 miles away, I can't say I'm not eagerly awaiting the chance to get back on land. But I can say that Nirvana's crossing has been the most uniquely challenging and rewarding adventure of my life so far, and I am truly grateful that I have been given this opportunity!
Angela
Sunday, May 25, 2014
5/25/14 onboard Nirvana
...competition heats up! Our friends from North of the US border are specializing in potatoes! Another feast veggie style. Exceptional veggie burgers with the works! Grilled onions, chipotle mayo and to top it off.... drumroll.... Awesome french fries. We are getting to the final days of our competition... who will be crowned offshore iron chef? The fridge contents are less varied than before... we shall see!
Port tack, 15-20kts, wind at 50-60 apparent approximate boat speed 7.2 (goes from 5.4-8.6), swells are 8-10 feet. Reefed main and stays'l.
Closing in on Hiva Oa.... and hopefully some showers and laundry!
S/V Nirvana out.
Port tack, 15-20kts, wind at 50-60 apparent approximate boat speed 7.2 (goes from 5.4-8.6), swells are 8-10 feet. Reefed main and stays'l.
Closing in on Hiva Oa.... and hopefully some showers and laundry!
S/V Nirvana out.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
5/24/14 Crossing the equator
THE EQUATOR!
The polliwogs are now shellbacks! Last night we crossed the equator at approx 11.44 pm. We toasted Neptune, Nirvana, our friends and ship mates. It was again a really nice evening with 12-20 knots of breeze, a reefed main and stay'sl. The crew of Nirvana served Neptune his share of Mt Gay rum. And finally had a sky full of stars! No where near the cloud cover we have had the past couple weeks! This morning King Neptune made a special appearance to initiate the new shellbacks. He was appropriately adorned in royal garb with all of the appropriate accroutrements. With a superhero cape (read shower curtain), inflatable crown (thx Angelas coworkers), swim goggles, magnificent staff(read fishing gaff), Bikram yoga shorts, and his polliwog/shellback pendant King Neptune began the ceremony. All polliwogs had to sacrifice something personal to the ocean and take communion (100% agave - only the good stuff) The Nirvana soon to be shellbacks sacrificed many personal items but Harrison, he took the cake! King Neptune took all of his hair! Yes, Harrison is now as bald as King Neptune himself (formerly known as Gary Mitchell). (video and time lapse photos to follow eventually) After the considerable process of removing the thick and luxurious locks of Harrison, King Neptune had one more suprise before finishing the ceremony- he took the shorn locks and installed them on his unadorned bald head. He ingeniously put some of Harrisons hair in beaten egg and then proceeded to stick it to his head...along with that shock the soon to be shellbacks were treated to the skimpier Neptune outfit. Quite an awesome production!
On to the Marquesas!
S/V Nirvana
5/23/14 onboard update
Horse Latitudes!
Nirvana is quickly approaching the equator! There have been may names for these latitudes and most of them bemoan the windlessness. Nirvana is currently enjoying 15-20 knot breeze off the beam. Reefed main and stays'l. Rocking down the line! Making about 8kt vmg! WOOHOO!
Nirvana is not enjoying becoming showerless. Gary, Julie and many other people assisted in getting Nirvana ready for this trip and got the t's crossed and the i's dotted. Gary spent many hours making sure all of the systems were not only operable but had spares, and spares for spares. He talked to many, many people about what would be needed for the next few years. He VERY specifically asked the owner of a local Shelter Island establishment if he should purchase a spare membrane for the watermaker on Nirvana. Said owner said absolutely not- it will last 15 years. Guess that man was wrong. Luckily for us we caught it in time and are relatively close to our destination as well as Julies arrival with a spare.
The other evening we had a glowing squid join us on the deck. GM said it looked like a glo stick was broken on the deck. We left it on the deck to see if it still glowed the next night- it did! Anyone know the dirt on that phenomenon?
SV Nirvana (aka poliwog) out
Nirvana is quickly approaching the equator! There have been may names for these latitudes and most of them bemoan the windlessness. Nirvana is currently enjoying 15-20 knot breeze off the beam. Reefed main and stays'l. Rocking down the line! Making about 8kt vmg! WOOHOO!
Nirvana is not enjoying becoming showerless. Gary, Julie and many other people assisted in getting Nirvana ready for this trip and got the t's crossed and the i's dotted. Gary spent many hours making sure all of the systems were not only operable but had spares, and spares for spares. He talked to many, many people about what would be needed for the next few years. He VERY specifically asked the owner of a local Shelter Island establishment if he should purchase a spare membrane for the watermaker on Nirvana. Said owner said absolutely not- it will last 15 years. Guess that man was wrong. Luckily for us we caught it in time and are relatively close to our destination as well as Julies arrival with a spare.
The other evening we had a glowing squid join us on the deck. GM said it looked like a glo stick was broken on the deck. We left it on the deck to see if it still glowed the next night- it did! Anyone know the dirt on that phenomenon?
SV Nirvana (aka poliwog) out
moving out
On the home front, we have been extremely busy. Yesterday the movers came and moved all our belongings into a 10' x10' storage unit. I wasn't sure it would fit, but they really stacked it in there. Some stuff did go into the garage. The house looks so different empty.
I still have a long list of things to do before we fly out on Tuesday to meet the boat, including sell the car, buy lots of boat parts that Gary has been requesting, and help the kids do 2 weeks of school work in 4 days. They need to finish all the school work for the rest of the year and turn it in before we leave, so it won't be a relaxing weekend for them.
Julie
Gigi's having a hard time taking it all in.
All our belongs crammed into the storage unit
I still have a long list of things to do before we fly out on Tuesday to meet the boat, including sell the car, buy lots of boat parts that Gary has been requesting, and help the kids do 2 weeks of school work in 4 days. They need to finish all the school work for the rest of the year and turn it in before we leave, so it won't be a relaxing weekend for them.
Julie
Thursday, May 22, 2014
5/21/14 on board
Feast!
Yesterday the quest for the offshore iron chef title got its first major challenge to the Chef Mitchell chilequiles. Our friends from the north came in guns a blazin. Harrison was playing with his favorite item of cutlery the filet knife and since there was no fish to cut up he started in on the potatoes. Very soon after his Canadian cohort showed up and the language from the galley was taken to the next level! I heard words I have only read in upscale cook books and at nice restaurants! We finally, after watching the preparations for hours, got to enjoy the end product- potatoes au gratin or scalloped potatoes- either way read YUM! Plus a very nice bbqd steak accompaniment.
We had another rainy wet evening with us motorsailing in light breeze to over 30kts of breeze. Not quite the deluge as the night before last but still quite a bit of water falling out of the sky. This am has been quite light for the most part but this afternoon we have enough breeze to get our sail on with a full main and genoa. We are closing on the equator!
SV Nirvana out.
Yesterday the quest for the offshore iron chef title got its first major challenge to the Chef Mitchell chilequiles. Our friends from the north came in guns a blazin. Harrison was playing with his favorite item of cutlery the filet knife and since there was no fish to cut up he started in on the potatoes. Very soon after his Canadian cohort showed up and the language from the galley was taken to the next level! I heard words I have only read in upscale cook books and at nice restaurants! We finally, after watching the preparations for hours, got to enjoy the end product- potatoes au gratin or scalloped potatoes- either way read YUM! Plus a very nice bbqd steak accompaniment.
We had another rainy wet evening with us motorsailing in light breeze to over 30kts of breeze. Not quite the deluge as the night before last but still quite a bit of water falling out of the sky. This am has been quite light for the most part but this afternoon we have enough breeze to get our sail on with a full main and genoa. We are closing on the equator!
SV Nirvana out.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
5/20/14 on board
So much can happen in 24 hours! Yesterday Harrison caught two dorado on the hand lines. Yay fresh fish for dinner! We are still catching the kindergartners though.. before killing them Gary has to pull the pacifiers out of their mouths. But they did feed all five of us dinner! Our night watches are quite dark now, no moon and cloudy so no stars either. No horizon but tons of bioluminescence. Angela got hit by another flying fish- she just seems to be a magnet! At least at night! A bit later I heard a mammal blow and started looking around to see what it was- then we got a show. remember it is totally dark, no horizon, and we see the dolphins streaking towards the boat, playing with our waves and their lit trails in the water. Magical! We woke "fish catcher" Harrison up a little early for the show. All evening we were seeing lightning and hearing a little thunder, but then Team Canada was then honored with a tropical downpour. I believe they (YES the Vancouverites) said torrential. Nirvana is rinsed! Gary had his bucket by the mast and it was 1/3rd full this morning! It rained quite awhile and is now partly cloudy and quite warm. We have a full main and genoa, with the wind forward of the beam.
SV Nirvana out.
Monday, May 19, 2014
5/19/14 from onboard
Nirvana is trucking along rumb line! We have great breeze and 6-8 foot waves. Last night got quite windy, up to 28 apparent. It is warm! We are all trying to find shade wherever we can, next idea is to try out the shade sides for the bimini. Still tons of flying fish but no fish on our lines! Reefed main and stay'sl. All good here!
SV Nirvana out.
SV Nirvana out.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
5/18/14 onboard
Half Way!
A few minutes ago I checked the gps and we have under 1400 miles to go to the Marquesas. More great news- excellent easterly breeze! About 12-15knots, with quartering seas. Currently sailing with a reeef in the main and the stay'sl. For the past two days we have seen massive amounts of flying fish. Our bow will go over a wave and scare a school of them out of the water, a school of 30-50! This early am watch had us hit by flying fish. First Scott was startled by one coming at him on deck, then I got hit in the back by one while sitting in the cockpit and then another came at Angela while she was sitting in the cockpit. Im sure the last two had nothing to do with all of the dolphins around the boat;)! We were escorted by dolphins for at least 45 minutes with them all around us, jumping, flopping and probably chasing and eating our flying fish. And then to top it all off we had a gorgeous sunset! The squalls coming through last night and this am actually brought us our first "official" rain- according to the Vancouverites. The other stuff yesterday didnt count...
SV Nirvana out.
PS Chilequiles were awesome!
A few minutes ago I checked the gps and we have under 1400 miles to go to the Marquesas. More great news- excellent easterly breeze! About 12-15knots, with quartering seas. Currently sailing with a reeef in the main and the stay'sl. For the past two days we have seen massive amounts of flying fish. Our bow will go over a wave and scare a school of them out of the water, a school of 30-50! This early am watch had us hit by flying fish. First Scott was startled by one coming at him on deck, then I got hit in the back by one while sitting in the cockpit and then another came at Angela while she was sitting in the cockpit. Im sure the last two had nothing to do with all of the dolphins around the boat;)! We were escorted by dolphins for at least 45 minutes with them all around us, jumping, flopping and probably chasing and eating our flying fish. And then to top it all off we had a gorgeous sunset! The squalls coming through last night and this am actually brought us our first "official" rain- according to the Vancouverites. The other stuff yesterday didnt count...
SV Nirvana out.
PS Chilequiles were awesome!
Saturday, May 17, 2014
5/17/14 onboard
Breeze on!
After a few days of lighter breezes we have had breeze of 12-15 with gusts up to 17 for the past 14 hours! Even a little header this am to get us closer to rumb line. YAY! With the wind has been some rain, which according to our people from the north " a little mist". We had a few squall lines come through last night and then this am quite a bit of fresh water landing on Nirvana. Last night we got our first taste of how dark it can be out here- no moon and cloud cover. This morning we found another flying fish had sacrificed itself on the deck with tons of them flying around all morning. We have also had more bird sightings this am than the entire trip. Chef Mitchell is currently cooking up chilequiles for brunch...
SV Nirvana out.
After a few days of lighter breezes we have had breeze of 12-15 with gusts up to 17 for the past 14 hours! Even a little header this am to get us closer to rumb line. YAY! With the wind has been some rain, which according to our people from the north " a little mist". We had a few squall lines come through last night and then this am quite a bit of fresh water landing on Nirvana. Last night we got our first taste of how dark it can be out here- no moon and cloud cover. This morning we found another flying fish had sacrificed itself on the deck with tons of them flying around all morning. We have also had more bird sightings this am than the entire trip. Chef Mitchell is currently cooking up chilequiles for brunch...
SV Nirvana out.
Friday, May 16, 2014
5/16/14 from middle of the Pacific
More fish!
At least one more... the boys caught a dorado this morning and made an
excellent creation, bagel cream cheese and grilled dorado. The consensus was that it was excellent! The breeze that we had yesterday seems to
have died a bit but we are still heading mostly towards the barn. Sunny today with nice puffy clouds and the
beautiful tropical water color, we are still sailing with full main and genoa.
SV Nirvana out.
Shala
Thursday, May 15, 2014
5/15/14 from Nirvana
Bonjour from Nirvana!
Contrary to all tracking info we are not going to Hawaii! We have finally hooked into a stronger breeze
and are sailing a closer line to our destination. (woohoo!) We are sailing under a full main and genoa-
the J120 kite did go up for a bit yesterday and looked and performed very
well. We only took it down because it
was getting dark. We are thinking safe thoughts for friends and family back on
land that are dealing with the massive fires in San Diego County as well as the
rest of SoCal. Hope all are well.
Congrats to the Servais' and their newest family member- we may be in the
middle of the ocean but are not totally out of the loop!12-15 knots out of approx 130 with quartering seas
port tack(reefer cant get us)
sunny skies (yay solar panels)
Harrison making another hand line
Nirvana soon to have two hand lines out (come on fish)
Angela supervising all projects (and getting her base going)
Gary is working on a project (anyone suprised?)
Scott on watch
Me updating you and so....
SV Nirvana out.
Shala
5/14/14 from Nirvana
FISH ON!
This am the early watch had two hits on the rod but lost both of them. We then went through a current line with some flotsam and whammo! The rod went crazy, Harrison grabbed the rod and I went to pull in the hand line and realized we had two on. While Harrison fought his fish, I pulled the other one in and Gary gaffed it. A big eye tuna! We got it aboard and I showed Gary how girls kill and bleed fish- much less drama (from a girl?) and mess! Then Harrison got his close to the boat, another big eye, and we got that one aboard and then the fun part. The fish cutting table is AWESOME! We all had sashimi for lunch and will be eating fresh fish for a bit! I love having a really sharp knife for that job! This morning we crossed into the tropics officially and are now staying close to rumb line in light breeze. Possible stop for a swim check before the breeze is supposed to come back up tomorrow!
SV Nirvana out.
Shala
This am the early watch had two hits on the rod but lost both of them. We then went through a current line with some flotsam and whammo! The rod went crazy, Harrison grabbed the rod and I went to pull in the hand line and realized we had two on. While Harrison fought his fish, I pulled the other one in and Gary gaffed it. A big eye tuna! We got it aboard and I showed Gary how girls kill and bleed fish- much less drama (from a girl?) and mess! Then Harrison got his close to the boat, another big eye, and we got that one aboard and then the fun part. The fish cutting table is AWESOME! We all had sashimi for lunch and will be eating fresh fish for a bit! I love having a really sharp knife for that job! This morning we crossed into the tropics officially and are now staying close to rumb line in light breeze. Possible stop for a swim check before the breeze is supposed to come back up tomorrow!
SV Nirvana out.
Shala
sat phone issues
Yesterday the Satellite Phone Store where we bought our phone and service, turned off our SIM card.
Their sales guy was not knowledgeable enough to realize that when we changed from a prepaid plan to a monthly plan we needed a new SIM card. I had been working with them all week to preemptively avoid this issue, but they irresponsibly still turned off the SIM card. As I just received an email from on board, I am hoping my persistence has resolved the issue. Fortunately we do have backup communications and have heard that the crew is all well. The wind is light, so they are motoring a little.
Julie
Their sales guy was not knowledgeable enough to realize that when we changed from a prepaid plan to a monthly plan we needed a new SIM card. I had been working with them all week to preemptively avoid this issue, but they irresponsibly still turned off the SIM card. As I just received an email from on board, I am hoping my persistence has resolved the issue. Fortunately we do have backup communications and have heard that the crew is all well. The wind is light, so they are motoring a little.
Julie
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
5/13/14 from Nirvana
Hello!
Well the winds have moderated and we shook out the reef this am and are sailing full main and genoa. Last night was all over the place windwise and seastate wise. I am sure the tracker showed a crazy track- no we did not drink all of the rum! We were hand steering with huge shifts and differing pressures. We finally gybed this am and have a significantly better track.
The sun is out but we didnt even get a sunrise this am because of the cloud cover but are currently in sunny skies and solar panels are working away! Speaking of working, Gary is making a trash compactor for our plastics and Harrison is reorganizing the sail locker- which like everything else around here got quite jumbled up with the seas we have had since leaving SD. AND since we are now on starboard tack the reefer cannot attack us! WE WIN!
No fish yet but I did see a UFO- well it was a ufo until I ran up top and figured out what it was. A humongus mega yacht fender, all shiny on top with about 8 inches of growth on the bottom.
SV Nirvana out.
Shala
Well the winds have moderated and we shook out the reef this am and are sailing full main and genoa. Last night was all over the place windwise and seastate wise. I am sure the tracker showed a crazy track- no we did not drink all of the rum! We were hand steering with huge shifts and differing pressures. We finally gybed this am and have a significantly better track.
The sun is out but we didnt even get a sunrise this am because of the cloud cover but are currently in sunny skies and solar panels are working away! Speaking of working, Gary is making a trash compactor for our plastics and Harrison is reorganizing the sail locker- which like everything else around here got quite jumbled up with the seas we have had since leaving SD. AND since we are now on starboard tack the reefer cannot attack us! WE WIN!
No fish yet but I did see a UFO- well it was a ufo until I ran up top and figured out what it was. A humongus mega yacht fender, all shiny on top with about 8 inches of growth on the bottom.
SV Nirvana out.
Shala
Monday, May 12, 2014
5/12/14 from on board Nirvana
So we are getting closer to the tropics- much warmer at night and the water is getting tons warmer. The wind has lightened a bit and the seas have moderated. We are getting close to our gybe... sometime soon. Julie is doing a great job as our personal weather guru. We did some sizable sail repair yesterday- about six hours of all hands working. Our current position is 23 30.28N 124 59.78W (4pm). About 700 miles from SD. Cool thing: when it is sunny, the solar panels can keep even with auto pilot and the watermaker!(geeky fact but awesome) There is now a fish around here with a big stomach ache- one cedar plug snarfed. We saw two flying fish today too!
SV Nirvana out.
Shala
SV Nirvana out.
Shala
Sunday, May 11, 2014
5/11/14 from Nirvana
Today’s adventure: sails came down for repair today and all was going well until we got it back up and realized we'd put the spreader patches up in the wrong spot and needed to redo it. 5 and 1/2 hours and a couple beers later, all is well. Word to the wise: always have spreader patches for your reef points as well. Harry seems to have made a recovery.
Hope you all are having a great mother’s day! We are still trucking along with quartering seas and breeze off the stern quarter. Everyone is getting into the swing of things here. Food has been awesome. It is still quite rolly and we all are getting our share of bruises from bouncing off of the edges of the boat. The reefer is still the winner of the "vex the humans" game. We may have tamed it though. We had been discussing trying to put some non skid on the bottom of the containers that try to attack you when you open the fridge door... but hadn’t done anything yet- nor had we found the non slip stuff. Gary went to open the fridge and the fridge won the day. We then got the non skid done before putting all of the food back in. Still sailing with one reef in the main and a stay'sl. Making between 7-9 knots. High score thus far has been mid 12's. But we have consistently seen 10's!
Nirvana out.
Cheers!
Shala
5/10/14 report from on board Nirvana
Nirvana
is sailing under partly cloudy skies and 8-10ft quartering seas with a reef in
the mail and a stays'l. Sound familiar? Well every once in a while the wind
dies a bit and we think about pulling out the genoa, then that thought goes out
the window as the breeze comes back up. Then we think about another reef and
the wind dies down. We know we aren’t in race mode so are using the "wait
at least 10 minutes until making the call rule". We have seen puffs up to
28 but nothing sustained over 20.
The
team is doing well, getting sleep and excellent food thanks to our
provisioners! Although I can say that on starboard tack it is very interesting
to try to open the fridge! Thanks for the warning Julie! Gary had a good laugh
at me this am as I was trying a different method of opening it- which was very
unsuccessful but funny to watch. I sat on the floor to try to get better
leverage as the boat rolls but as soon as I would try to unlatch the fridge
door I would slide all the way across the salon floor. Needless to say I went
back to the standing and trying to time the door opening to the rolls- only the
turkey flew out that time! And as Gary said "it never flew while it was
alive, it might as well do it now!"Animal count: 2 more albatross and nighttime school of dolphin.
Nirvana out,
Shala
Unfortunately Harrison was extremely seasick for the first day and a half, but fortunately he is starting to get better now that the medicine is kicking in. The rest of the crew is doing well.
Julie
Saturday, May 10, 2014
5/9/14 report from on board Nirvana
We are currently on rumb line in 10-20 knots doing anywhere from 7-10kts with a reefed main and stays'l. Thank you to all of you with your good wishes and to those of you that gave us a "push" off the dock!
If you were checking our track you may have seen that we moved quite slowly from the dock... we in fact did not, we motored out of the harbor and at the very limit of cell service, Gary found that our propane connections were totally corroded. (read many profanities) So a phone call to SDMX and to a delivery service and we headed back into the harbor. They got our stuff together and Jeff brought them out to us by boat, repair done and we were off, again.
We got sail main, genoa and stays'l up around 4. Sailing has been windy and rough but we are all getting our sea legs and finally this afternoon some good sleep!
We now have a straight jacket for Gary in case we start driving him too crazy- early this am he tried to put on my foul weather jacket....got it most of the way on and then couldn't escape....
Dolphins, a whale and an albatross so far!
Cheers,
Shala
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Under way to the Marquesas
Nirvana and her fine crew pushed off the dock this morning. She is loaded with food and supplies. Ready for a great adventure!
Julie
Julie
Gary, Shala, Scott, Harrison and Angela
Leaving San Diego
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Food
Went to Costco yesterday. You know that you have a lot of food when the check out clerk comments on how much you have purchased. The fresh food is on the boat. There is food stowed in every nook and cranny of the boat. Frozen food goes on this morning.
Julie
Harrison and Julie at Costco
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