The Big Crossing

 

 

 

Before setting off for the 3000 nm passage to the Marquesas we saw the usual critters you would expect to see in the Galapagos.

This youngster was in his sixties

 

 Check out this ol boy dragging his ol boy thru the rocks

 

The Princess counting turtles 

Blue footed boobies 

and more bloody sea lions.  The novelty soon wore off as they tried to take over the yacht. We had to fight them off the swimming platform. 

Finally we were away. The weather was pretty kind to us as we made our way SW in search of the trade winds.

 

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Vernie da Vane steered 

 

The gourmet fare continued as usual. 

We did some surfing 

We didn`t care for these squalls especially if one snuck up during the night. 

 We tried to catch fish without much success. We were going too fast and the fish were too big. This lure returned minus its three hooks

 

Steering by the wind angle was tricky. The straight line was the course we tried to steer, but the wind had other ideas. 

 Flying fish for breakfast? No thanks.

Sundowners. 

 We talked twice daily with about fifteen other yachts also sailing across at the time.

There were many more around. This was the peak season.

 We tried this sail plan but it was not very successful in rolly conditions.

Refuelling at sea. 

Then the wind deserted us. The forecast said no wind for four or five days, so we motored for 36 hrs to Fatu Hiva. A sad way to finish the crossing. 

Approaching the Marquesas 

 Landfall Fatu Hiva after nineteen days.

The anchorage at Hanavave was spectacular. The island landscape most dramatic.

 We celebrated with friends who had arrived before us.

 There were 15 yachts in the anchorage

 

Direct line distance 3000 nm

Elapsed time 19.2 days.

Distance sailed thru the water [a current opposed much of the passage ] 3450 nm

Average spd 7.45 kts.

Casualties: first reef line chafed and parted and ripped out a few lower msail slides.

Highest wind experienced 28 kts.

All in all a great sail apart from the need to motor for 36 hrs.

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Galapagos

 

 

 

While on the hard we explored more of Panama City, a huge sprawling metropolis.

Contrast this.......

 

with this.

 

Low tide at the marina.

 

The fishing fleet was grounded.

The old town was attractive

 

Old town

 

Near the marina the three toed sloth was resident.

 

 

After two weeks, much of which time we spent waiting for parts and machining of a custom made cutless bearing, we were ready again for the water.

 

Isla Contadora, one of the Las Perlas islands 30 nm off Panama City was our first stop.

 

 

We were stored with goodies for the long passage all the way to Tahiti.

The spare cabin/storeroom had no more room.

 

Then it was off to the Galapagos islands.

On day six of the passage we crossed the equator. 

See top left of the plotter screen.

[Cick on the photo to enlarge]

 

King Neptune boarded and after certain rituals, known only to those who have crossed the line in their own sailing yacht, the First Mate was inducted into his realm.

He stayed for lunch and shared some bubbly.

 

On arrival at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, otherwise known as Wreck Bay, on San Cristobal island the usual officials arrived.

We soon went ashore to be greeted by the resident sea lions.

 

Downtown.

Sundowners ashore with other Aussies from yachts Sundancer II, Malua, and Tehani Li.