Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Day 6 - Wasn't meant to be...

Moondance Stats:

LATITUDE: 13-52.55N; LONGITUDE: 118-47.29W
COURSE: 212T; SPEED: 5.8
DISTANCE TRAVELED: 787
DISTANCE TO GO: 1874 - to the Marquesas!
24 HOUR RUN: 131m

First, all is well on Moondance.

Second, we made a decision last night to change our course from the Gambiers to the Marquesas. We were really hoping that the wind and waves would cooperate and we could reach the Gambiers easily, but Neptune had other ideas. Doug estimated that it would take an "additional" 5 days to reach the Gambiers due to course adjustments. We decided that it just wasn't meant to be.

Instead, we have all agreed to set our course for the Marquesas and it is only 1874 miles a way - about 16 days southwest of us! While we are disappointed, we know it is the right thing to do, plus all of the other Puddle Jumpers will be there. It will be fun seeing everyone and hearing the stories. From there, we will sail to the Tuamotus, Australs, and then Tahiti by June 20. It will all work out just fine.

We were surprised that it has almost been a week since we left Cabo and not one of us have picked up a book to read - we have been too busy! The boat is loaded with books we have collected just waiting for a long passage, but our days are filled. Besides constant adjustments to sails, rigging, and instruments, things just take longer. Some examples -

Washing dishes underway - I have gotten very good at picking them up as they slide by, but it is a challenge. Doug's words today "Nice grab"!

Sorting our daily trash to make sure no plastics go overboard. It is legal, but not good for the environment.

Rotating our eggs, fruits, and veggies to keep them from spoiling.

Dodging flying objects when opening lockers and re-organizing them (again). Yes, some things do shift around underway.

So, things are interesting at sea. I actually saw Doug Moonwalk across the cabin in his socks the other day as the boat rocked side-to-side. Now that is a site to see!

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3 comments:

Hilary said...

Carla, I am loving reading about your incredible adventures. Stay safe out there and keep blogging! Hilary from Webco 2003-2005 :)

Jaye said...

>>Yes, some things do shift around underway.

Like the standard flight attendant comment "items may have shifted during flight".

Sorry it doesn't look like you'll make the Gambiers, but you're going to love wherever you land, I'm sure.

shawn and chris said...

We're enjoying following you as we prep for our passage to Hawaii. And great job on the blog. Keep it up!!!

As an environmental scientist, I would like to add something:

It is NOT legal to throw plastics in the ocean. This is according the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act (MARPOL) which went into effect on December 31, 1988, making it illegal for any U.S. vessel or land-based operation to dispose of plastics at sea. Annex V completely prohibits the disposal of plastics anywhere into the sea, and severely restricts discharges of other garbage from ships into coastal waters.

Thanks for letting me share.
Shawn
s/v Tao