***Life on board***
We are generally comfortable onboard these days having fallen into what could be called a "routine" of sleeping, reading, and resting. The days seem to be flying by and our progress toward the Marquesas is very pleasing. Knock on wood.
"The wet"....
With the current combo of wind and waves we experience what I like to call "the wet" on a pretty regular basis (at least once every 10 minutes or so) when out of the relative safety of the cabin. Almost always preceding "the wet" is a loud THUMP on the side of the windward hull which instantly sets off what is now an involuntary reaction to everyone on deck to jump, dive, or plunge into whatever spot on deck they think the water might miss. Naturally, the laws of irony, of which mother nature has such a keen understanding, cause "the wet" to fall directly onto those places. Occasionally just one of us is on deck and, when hearing the thud from down below, we listen for the always amusing, "Kersplash.....UHHHHHH!!!". We have found that there is sometimes nothing to do but succumb to the salt. And laugh at yourself for getting all wet.
Fishing....
No luck of fishing today. Although this morning, I found a 4 inch long squid plastered to the top of the bimini (which was folded down for the night) so I guess you could say we caught a squid. Not having an appetite for squid at the time, I used him as bait on my lure but it was, in the end, not to be. Maybe tomorrow.
Navigation....
I took two sun sights and one moon sight just a few minutes ago today. The sun sights, taken before and after local noon revealed that our dead reckoning position was about 30 or so miles off our true position. With the sights factored in, our new DR (dead reckoning) position was within 5 miles of true. I am getting better and faster at taking sights and doing the calculation and it is good to know that I just might be able to navigate us somewhere in the event of a total electrical failure. Knock on wood.
Will is on watch, Adam asleep after having made a delicious soup for dinner and I about to turn in in preparation for the midnight watch.
NEWS FLASH...Will was just moments ago struck in the back by an enormous flying fish while on watch. One of the biggest I have seen. Well done Will. He even had the courtesy to throw it back. Add one flying fish to the days catch list.
***Communication***
We made contact with the barefoot net today in the morning and evening. The closest boat to us is still "Dignity" who is about 60 miles south and 75 miles east of our position.
***Weather***
The weather here has been almost the same for the last 3 days. Wind from the SE, 5-8 foot swell that make the cockpit semi wet and mostly clear skies with occasional clouds. And STAY there! says I to the weather. Knock on wood.
Position (11:40am):
03 deg 21' S
99 deg 41' W
Alan and the Crew