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The Captains Log...Whilst we are at sea and sailing around the Islands of the Pacific, when ever we move I record the day and nights activities in our new green folder log book for Nandji. I want to keep a record of the seas, winds and any other issue that might have occurred during the sail. Recording our location at the time, any engine issues and fuel consumption, encounters with other vessels, how Bonita is coping with sea sickness and of course the fish I caught! All the little details of each voyage. I think a log is important to remember what has happened and to have documents of what has occured during our time at sea. My hand writing is not the best on land, so please excuse my writing at sea.
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September 2018 - Indonesia to Timor Leste
2nd Sept Ambon to Dili Timor Leste
Left mooring ball in Ambon city at first light. Had to wait for tidal change through the night to leave at 0530 with the outgoing spring tide. Current can reach 2 knots and upon our enterance to thr bay had 3m confused seas because of the strong current entering the bay. Leaving under motor hoisted first reefed main. Half way out of the bay unfurled full headsail. Once clear of the headland turned engine off hoisted staysail and reefed headsail.
Wind 15 knots S- SE Seas 1m.
For the next 24 hours remained reaching on port tack. Winds fluctuated between 13-18 knots. 2nd reefed main for the night. In 24 hours sailed SW on course 220T. Averaged 4 knots and sailed 98nm. Seas generally 1-2m with few white caps. Surprised at how gentle the seas and wind are I was expecting bigger seas but happy to be sailing in the smooth conditions.
Wind 15 knots S- SE Seas 1m.
For the next 24 hours remained reaching on port tack. Winds fluctuated between 13-18 knots. 2nd reefed main for the night. In 24 hours sailed SW on course 220T. Averaged 4 knots and sailed 98nm. Seas generally 1-2m with few white caps. Surprised at how gentle the seas and wind are I was expecting bigger seas but happy to be sailing in the smooth conditions.
3rd Sept
Distance travelled so far on passage -220nms
Distance travelled in last 24 hours - 112nms
Had a consistant 15 knots SE during afternoon wind tended more E but by night break SE. Around 3am wind increased to 20 knots SE forcing us to reef main down to 2nd reef and furl headsail some more.
Seas allday yesterday 1-2m and as sun rose this morning had increased to 2-3m. Most have increased with the stronger winds. Alot more whitecaps but Nandji is powering over the waves well. Boat well balanced and Hydrovane holding course well. Staysail and second reefed main are matching heights and therefore headsail is filled to match the same height and it seems to keep Nandji balanced and powerful. Not leaning past 15 degrees very oftern. Considering we are reaching up to 20 knots it feels comfortable.
Had a ship overtake us at midnight was travelling on exact same course as us and had to radio. Communicated good enough and they passed 500m away on starboard side.
Distance travelled in last 24 hours - 112nms
Had a consistant 15 knots SE during afternoon wind tended more E but by night break SE. Around 3am wind increased to 20 knots SE forcing us to reef main down to 2nd reef and furl headsail some more.
Seas allday yesterday 1-2m and as sun rose this morning had increased to 2-3m. Most have increased with the stronger winds. Alot more whitecaps but Nandji is powering over the waves well. Boat well balanced and Hydrovane holding course well. Staysail and second reefed main are matching heights and therefore headsail is filled to match the same height and it seems to keep Nandji balanced and powerful. Not leaning past 15 degrees very oftern. Considering we are reaching up to 20 knots it feels comfortable.
Had a ship overtake us at midnight was travelling on exact same course as us and had to radio. Communicated good enough and they passed 500m away on starboard side.
4th Sept
The android measuring our distance sailed turned off and therefore we lost our distance sailed.
The last 12 hours of night sailing were slower than previous. After all day of 13 -18 knots SE the wind shifted late in the afternoon at around 1600 more E.
We continued to reach on port tack changing course closer S at around 200T. Wind increased and by 2100 E-SE wind of 25 knots. Furled headsail and sailed under staysail and 2nd reefed main. Boat speed was down due to increased seas. Was pitch black so could not see the sea state but Nandji bounced and banged in the waves slowing us down to 3 knots average.
Around 2200 wind eased and tendered more SE unfurled headsail to 60% of sail and continued all night sailing at 210T at 4-5 knots.
Wind eased through early hours of night. At first light hoisted main to first reef and unfurled full headsail. Wind 10 knots SE. Sea state changed to 1m with a swell coming from E -NE. Around 90nm straight path to Dili . Think we may now be in the lee of the island to the north of Timor causing light winds. 30nms to land. Sailed around 95nms in last 24 hours.
The last 12 hours of night sailing were slower than previous. After all day of 13 -18 knots SE the wind shifted late in the afternoon at around 1600 more E.
We continued to reach on port tack changing course closer S at around 200T. Wind increased and by 2100 E-SE wind of 25 knots. Furled headsail and sailed under staysail and 2nd reefed main. Boat speed was down due to increased seas. Was pitch black so could not see the sea state but Nandji bounced and banged in the waves slowing us down to 3 knots average.
Around 2200 wind eased and tendered more SE unfurled headsail to 60% of sail and continued all night sailing at 210T at 4-5 knots.
Wind eased through early hours of night. At first light hoisted main to first reef and unfurled full headsail. Wind 10 knots SE. Sea state changed to 1m with a swell coming from E -NE. Around 90nm straight path to Dili . Think we may now be in the lee of the island to the north of Timor causing light winds. 30nms to land. Sailed around 95nms in last 24 hours.
August 2018 - Indonesia
I need to admit that I was a little slack in keeping a log for the month of August. A little slack means I didn't keep a log at all. Looking back I am pretty disappointed I didn't because we had some challenging sails and probably the hardest and longest up wind sail passage we have had to endure. We had our guest on board though so there is lots of footage, I just didnt record everything that was going on... Whoopsy
August
Sailed from Sorong W-NW and collected crew from Waisai. Continued with small day passages as far NW as the islands of Wayag. Sailed 7 days and nights SW to the city of Ambon. This was a rough sail at the start with 4m wind swell and strong winds of 30 knots. All reaching on a port tack.
July 2018 - Sailing Indonesia
2nd July - Jayapura to Sorong Day 2
Clear night all night and a bright 3/4 moon rose at around 2000. Smooth seas and a gentle 6- 8 knots E all night. Atsunrise wind dropping out below 5 knots E.
A favourable current is flowing and average 4 knots all night. Distance sailed at 0630 after departing in afternoon 50nms. Furled headsail and flapping main, still moving at 3knots W- NE on 300T. Seas glassed out all morning small swell from the N. Gentle breeze from E 6-8 knots between 0700 and dropped out totally by 1300. Whilst we had wind we were doing 5 - 6 knots. Dead calm all afternoon decided at 1530 to motorfor a little bit. Started engine and noticed loose bolt on forward port engine mount. Tightened bolts. Wheni manually went to engage gears, noticed gearbox a little shaky and bolt attaching gearbox to gearbox plate to back of engine must be loose. Decided to turn off engine as gearbox will have to be taken out and bolts tightened. Decided there was not enough daylight left today as squalls usually occur in the evening and shaft to remain still and not turn whilst coupling is not joined.
1730 - Big cloud on the horizion and a grey front around it. Started to get a little wind 6-8 knots NE. Maxed out at 10 - 13 and dropped back to 7 - 10 knots after 30 minutes. No rain. Reefed main and reefed headsail heading 300T at 5 - 6 knots. Smooth seas and fast. Very comfortable.
3rd July - Jayapura to Sorong Day 3
Wind steady up until midnight. Could see lightening and dark clouds to the S. Wind dropped out from 6- 9 knots E and changed S 10 knots. We knew we may be in for some weather. Second reefed main and heavily reefed headsail we continued on course 300T hoping dark clouds and storm would pass in front. Slowed boat from 5.5 - 6 knots back to 3 -4 knots to let weather pass. Decided to hove to at 200 to let lightening storm pass. Wind then dropped out below 5 knots variable as lightening begun in clouds all around us. Tried tacking and gybing to change course and get moving but not enough wind. Unfurled headsail to reef line to try and power up boat to change course with not much luck. Then all clouds seemed to combine into one big black cloud behind Nandji quickly prepared for rain and wind. Second reefed main and before i could furl headsail strong 30knot gust knocked down past 60 degrees, boat instantly picked up speed to 8 knots plus managed to furl headsil heavily and boat still doing 6+ knots. Dropped main and continued to run off downwind with a small slither of headsail.
Hydrovane in 3rd gear handled conditions well. Wind eased after 30minutes of 25 knots back to 10- 15 knots for the next hour. Constant rain and a few lightening strikes in the clouds but no bolts going down to the sea surface. Wind eased to 7-10 knots SE, unfurled more headsail to meet line, still lots of rain, dark and can hear thunder so do not want to raise too much sail.
Continued under headsail only until sunrise at 0600 hoisted second reefed main. Remained on broad reach until 0900. Decided to pull out more headsail in the gentle consitant conditions. Wind 6-8 knots SE, boatspeed 4 knots.
Distance sailed in last 24hours 50nms.
Sailed all day with poled out headsail and full main. Dropped pole out at dusk changing course dead W. Reefed main to first reef and reefed headsail. Wind SE 8-10 knots.
Wind steadily dropped to 6-8 knots and changed course S.
Hydrovane in 3rd gear handled conditions well. Wind eased after 30minutes of 25 knots back to 10- 15 knots for the next hour. Constant rain and a few lightening strikes in the clouds but no bolts going down to the sea surface. Wind eased to 7-10 knots SE, unfurled more headsail to meet line, still lots of rain, dark and can hear thunder so do not want to raise too much sail.
Continued under headsail only until sunrise at 0600 hoisted second reefed main. Remained on broad reach until 0900. Decided to pull out more headsail in the gentle consitant conditions. Wind 6-8 knots SE, boatspeed 4 knots.
Distance sailed in last 24hours 50nms.
Sailed all day with poled out headsail and full main. Dropped pole out at dusk changing course dead W. Reefed main to first reef and reefed headsail. Wind SE 8-10 knots.
Wind steadily dropped to 6-8 knots and changed course S.
4th July - Jayapura to Sorong Day 4
Sailed all night under 1st reefed main and reefed headsail. Wind S all night until 0300 increased from 6-8 knots to 10 knots. Wind eased once sun is up to 6 -8 knots S-SW. Close hauled on port tack but course is too far N. Will tack soon to see what angle we have.
Around 40nms from land so lots of room to play with. Seas smooth. Hoisted staysail and took out reefs in sails at 0700. Boat speed 4-4.5knots. Wind changed direction mid afternoon to NW after a couple of hours below 5 knots variable. Bobbing around. Close haul on starboard tack on SW course towards the island and city of Biak. 30nms from land and 60nms to city. Do not want to stop there however not much point continuing if winds are opposing.
During calm weather at lunch removed gearbox and tightened bolts then reinstalled took around 1 hour.
It is now 15:30 and 6-8 knots NW wind blowing. Boat speed with full sails 4-5 knots. Reefed down main to 1st reef at dusk and dropped staysail. Wind increased slightly 10 knots NW. Clear skies. Wind changed to SW around midnight. Reefed headsail. Had to tack multiple times as wind changed and adjust course as cannot sail rhumb line upwind.
Around 40nms from land so lots of room to play with. Seas smooth. Hoisted staysail and took out reefs in sails at 0700. Boat speed 4-4.5knots. Wind changed direction mid afternoon to NW after a couple of hours below 5 knots variable. Bobbing around. Close haul on starboard tack on SW course towards the island and city of Biak. 30nms from land and 60nms to city. Do not want to stop there however not much point continuing if winds are opposing.
During calm weather at lunch removed gearbox and tightened bolts then reinstalled took around 1 hour.
It is now 15:30 and 6-8 knots NW wind blowing. Boat speed with full sails 4-5 knots. Reefed down main to 1st reef at dusk and dropped staysail. Wind increased slightly 10 knots NW. Clear skies. Wind changed to SW around midnight. Reefed headsail. Had to tack multiple times as wind changed and adjust course as cannot sail rhumb line upwind.
5th July - Jayapura to Sorong Day 5
Got hit by a strong squall at around 0400 from the NW. Furled in headsail to only 20% of sail showing. Turned S and ran off strong winds for 10 minutes. Gusts at 25+ knots NW. Wind settled quickly with the rain and stayed at 10 -15 knots NW for the next hour until first light. Once sun up wind eased to 6-8 knots NW. Unfurled full headsail.
Have been sailing close hauled and reaching for more than 24 hours.
Avery overcast and stormy morning. Had 2 massive dark squalls from the NW. Hove to during first squall wind changed more N so headed W. The island of Biak is in the way causing us isses. Tacked out to sea to be greeted by the second squall that covered the entire horizion. Lots of rain and strong winds up to 30knot NW gusts. Second reefed main and staysail during both squalls. Wind on beam for second squall and had to head S downwind and run off as over powered. Turned around at 1200 to head to an anchorage on North coast of Biak as wind sustained at 25 knots W-NW. Struggling to make any ground for over an hour. Turned around and current was strong, possibly why the waves were short and tall with lots of whitecaps. Though downwind and full headsail in 15 knots NW we would fly to the anchorage but the current slowed us massively. Wind eased after an hour and decided to turn around again and continue heading W with current. Even thogh sailing upwind we are going faster than downwind. Hoisted staysail, full genoa and second reefed main heading N - NW 300T out to sea and continued on to possible anchorage further along the coast.
Weather forcast has taken forever -over 3 hours. Must be fewer satellites. Once can see weather can make a better call if we stop or keep going depending on wind direction. Sick of upwind sailing and constantly changing sails because of squalls. Hopefully E wind in coming days.
Sailed into night first reefed main reef genoa, stay sail. Stormy clouds have brewed up all day on horizion but clear skies overhead. Wind N -NW 10 knots. Still on N coast of Biak island. Have 2 areas of reef to avoid and will need to tack through during the night.
Wind dropped out 4-7 knots W-SW made it difficult to make passes but strong currents sucked us through without too much hastle during the night. Light winds caused us to tack multiple times. Cloudy day meant little battery power on boat. Our batteries are stuffed. We really need new ones ASAP. Ran motor for 2 hours to get some charge to keep ipad charged and see charts. Everything flat by 2am lucky clear of reef as have no charts.
Have been sailing close hauled and reaching for more than 24 hours.
Avery overcast and stormy morning. Had 2 massive dark squalls from the NW. Hove to during first squall wind changed more N so headed W. The island of Biak is in the way causing us isses. Tacked out to sea to be greeted by the second squall that covered the entire horizion. Lots of rain and strong winds up to 30knot NW gusts. Second reefed main and staysail during both squalls. Wind on beam for second squall and had to head S downwind and run off as over powered. Turned around at 1200 to head to an anchorage on North coast of Biak as wind sustained at 25 knots W-NW. Struggling to make any ground for over an hour. Turned around and current was strong, possibly why the waves were short and tall with lots of whitecaps. Though downwind and full headsail in 15 knots NW we would fly to the anchorage but the current slowed us massively. Wind eased after an hour and decided to turn around again and continue heading W with current. Even thogh sailing upwind we are going faster than downwind. Hoisted staysail, full genoa and second reefed main heading N - NW 300T out to sea and continued on to possible anchorage further along the coast.
Weather forcast has taken forever -over 3 hours. Must be fewer satellites. Once can see weather can make a better call if we stop or keep going depending on wind direction. Sick of upwind sailing and constantly changing sails because of squalls. Hopefully E wind in coming days.
Sailed into night first reefed main reef genoa, stay sail. Stormy clouds have brewed up all day on horizion but clear skies overhead. Wind N -NW 10 knots. Still on N coast of Biak island. Have 2 areas of reef to avoid and will need to tack through during the night.
Wind dropped out 4-7 knots W-SW made it difficult to make passes but strong currents sucked us through without too much hastle during the night. Light winds caused us to tack multiple times. Cloudy day meant little battery power on boat. Our batteries are stuffed. We really need new ones ASAP. Ran motor for 2 hours to get some charge to keep ipad charged and see charts. Everything flat by 2am lucky clear of reef as have no charts.
6th July - Jayapura to Sorong Day 6
Wind from 0200 below 5 knots variable. Ocean became glassy. Furled headsail to 20% of sail hoping for wind. Sick of flapping sails. Dropped main and reduced headsail to 10%. Got some much needed sleep as we slowly drifted with current. I slept in cockpit and woke to a gentle 6 -8 knots S wind. Lots of clouds, squalls and rain all around. Hoisted first reed main, reefed headsail and get course 290T W-NW. Wind coming and going with squalls all around us.
Approx 250nms left to Sorong. Interesting morning with lots of clouds and squalls. Wind swinging from NW to SW below 10 knots. Finally wind settled in one direction but it is basically dead W slight SW. 8 -10 knots seas small, swell slight windchop around 1-1.15m. Close haul on Port tack, first refed main, reefed headsail and staysail. Boat speed 3.8 -4.3 knots. Appears current is no longer a factor and our speed has dropped considerably compared to wind, sea and sail area from previous days. Low clouds seem 5o be dissapearing and hopefully reducing the possibility of squalls for the day. Very little sunshine as high clouds shadowing the day.
1100 - unfurled full headsail and hoisted full main. Sailing full sail and holding a good course 290T. Boat speed 4.5 knots. Low clouds have cleared and only high clouds remain. Consistant 7-10 knots SW wind. Close haul - reaching. Smooth ride, seas 1-1.5m.
1300 - Wind steadily died and dropped out below 5 knots variable. Ocean changed and became confused 2 -3m seas. Indicating a change in weather that never came. Furled headsail to 20% of sail area and left full main. Flapping sails and a hidious roll due to the increased seas. Decided to motor towards a patch of sea that appeared from the distance to be smooth.
Arriving to the glassy area of sea greeted with 0 knots of wind and a confused sea 2m, slightly smaller. Turned off engine and bobbed around hand steering W -NW with the current that pushed us along at 1.5 -3 knots. Around 2300 a gentle 2 -3 knots SE tried to blow but still not strong enough for Nandji to sail.
Approx 250nms left to Sorong. Interesting morning with lots of clouds and squalls. Wind swinging from NW to SW below 10 knots. Finally wind settled in one direction but it is basically dead W slight SW. 8 -10 knots seas small, swell slight windchop around 1-1.15m. Close haul on Port tack, first refed main, reefed headsail and staysail. Boat speed 3.8 -4.3 knots. Appears current is no longer a factor and our speed has dropped considerably compared to wind, sea and sail area from previous days. Low clouds seem 5o be dissapearing and hopefully reducing the possibility of squalls for the day. Very little sunshine as high clouds shadowing the day.
1100 - unfurled full headsail and hoisted full main. Sailing full sail and holding a good course 290T. Boat speed 4.5 knots. Low clouds have cleared and only high clouds remain. Consistant 7-10 knots SW wind. Close haul - reaching. Smooth ride, seas 1-1.5m.
1300 - Wind steadily died and dropped out below 5 knots variable. Ocean changed and became confused 2 -3m seas. Indicating a change in weather that never came. Furled headsail to 20% of sail area and left full main. Flapping sails and a hidious roll due to the increased seas. Decided to motor towards a patch of sea that appeared from the distance to be smooth.
Arriving to the glassy area of sea greeted with 0 knots of wind and a confused sea 2m, slightly smaller. Turned off engine and bobbed around hand steering W -NW with the current that pushed us along at 1.5 -3 knots. Around 2300 a gentle 2 -3 knots SE tried to blow but still not strong enough for Nandji to sail.
7th July -Jayapura to Sorong Day 7
Finally at around 0200 SE winds 6-8 knots begun and could keep the headsail filled. Unfurled full headsail and kept 1st reefed main. By sunrise SE wind settled and consistant with a following 1m sea.
0700 - around 5am south of the equator we do not need to cross the equator for arrival into Sorong but being so close and not crossing seems silly. This will be our first equator crossing by sea. Boat speed average 4.7 -5.5 knots. Around 160nms left to Sorong.
Gybed at 1000 to head north to equator, reached equator with some sunshine but lots of squallsvaround and only a matter of time before they upon us. Wind steadily decreased 5 -10 knots SE seas becoming confused 1am.
Crossed equator dropped all sails and did ritual for neptune. Quickly hoisted first reefed main once complete as first squall almost ontop of us. Changed course SW at 240T as squall approached. Wind NE 15 knots lots of heavy rain and choppy ocean with lots of whitecaps. Hydrovane in 3rd gear, 1st reefed main only on a run dead downwind 5 knots. Heavy rain for past hour.
Had big dark squalls all afternoon from the N mainly. Heavy rain and wind up to 25knots. 1630 squalls finally cleared and low level cloud lifted. Seas became confused 2-3m wind dropped out and quickly changed to SE. Unfurled reefed headsail and got ready for the night ahead of downwind cruising. Wind steadily decreased through the night below 7 knots.
Unable to sail and ocean 3m confused. Nandji rolled very uncomfortably with flapping sails. Furled headsail and motored for 30 minutes until wind change was settled and could fill sails once again.
2300 wind changed to W 10-15 knots and feels like increasing. Reefed headsail. At dusk saw SV Alien on horizion closer to land. This is 2 french guys with aussie girlfriend from margaret river we met them in New Caledonia.
0700 - around 5am south of the equator we do not need to cross the equator for arrival into Sorong but being so close and not crossing seems silly. This will be our first equator crossing by sea. Boat speed average 4.7 -5.5 knots. Around 160nms left to Sorong.
Gybed at 1000 to head north to equator, reached equator with some sunshine but lots of squallsvaround and only a matter of time before they upon us. Wind steadily decreased 5 -10 knots SE seas becoming confused 1am.
Crossed equator dropped all sails and did ritual for neptune. Quickly hoisted first reefed main once complete as first squall almost ontop of us. Changed course SW at 240T as squall approached. Wind NE 15 knots lots of heavy rain and choppy ocean with lots of whitecaps. Hydrovane in 3rd gear, 1st reefed main only on a run dead downwind 5 knots. Heavy rain for past hour.
Had big dark squalls all afternoon from the N mainly. Heavy rain and wind up to 25knots. 1630 squalls finally cleared and low level cloud lifted. Seas became confused 2-3m wind dropped out and quickly changed to SE. Unfurled reefed headsail and got ready for the night ahead of downwind cruising. Wind steadily decreased through the night below 7 knots.
Unable to sail and ocean 3m confused. Nandji rolled very uncomfortably with flapping sails. Furled headsail and motored for 30 minutes until wind change was settled and could fill sails once again.
2300 wind changed to W 10-15 knots and feels like increasing. Reefed headsail. At dusk saw SV Alien on horizion closer to land. This is 2 french guys with aussie girlfriend from margaret river we met them in New Caledonia.
8th July - Jayapura to Sorong Day 8
By midnight W wind had increased to 20knots W and no sign of easing. Could not see any threatening storm clouds so could assume wind was settled and not the wind before rain. Furled headsail and hoisted staysail and reefed main down to second reef.
Boat speed slowed yo 3 knots but mucb more comfortable as no moon and pitch black. Wind maxed out at 25 knots W. After an hour of sailing with this combo and deciding the wind had settled unfurled 60% headsail and sailed as cutter. Increased boat speed by 1.5 knots and powered through waves with more speed and less banging and rolling.
Around 0400 winds eased and by 0500 no wind and confused ocean once again. Wind changed for the better as a gentle 3 -5 knots SE started very quickly. By 0600 wind SE 10 -15 knots settled. Blue skies with high level cloud around. Hoisted first reefed main and full headsail as soon as noticed SE.
Confused sea during transition at 3am with 3m rolly swell from W opposing the changing following sea from SE.
1800 wind sustained and settled at 15 knots SE and seas changed to following as we changed course to SW towards Sorong around the headland. Boat being overpowered with all the sail we had out and hydrovane in 3rd gear and needing to handsteer to compensate. Reaching speeds of 8.5 knot on a broad reach. Reefed headsail to 80% so hydrovane can handle the steering.
Can see SV Alien closer to land we are roughly 10nms from the mountainess coastline. Decided to steer away from land to maintain a constant wind. Beautiful morning sailing with blue skies, wind E-NE 10 knots. Full main, full headsail on a broad reach as we made our way S down the west coast of Papua.
Poled out headsail around 10am and dropped out pole at around 1600 to prepare for the night. Remained full sail as wind calm 6 -8 knots E. No clouds in sky and lots of stars.
Around 2100 wind begun to increase 10 - 13 knots E. Reefed headsail to first reef and reefed down headsail. Sailing a beam reach had good speeds heading S-SW at 6-7 knots.
At 2300 decided to slow boat for more comfort. Wind shifting more SE seas 1m choppy. Wind increased 15 -20 knots SE. Sailing on a reach, reefed main to second reef 50% genoa and hoisted staysail. Nandji powered through the small waves with only a few big bangs and burrying the bow in the water every 30 minutes. Boat speed 4 -5 knots wind steadily decreased and by 0400 had unfurled headsail to 80% to keep power up.
Boat speed slowed yo 3 knots but mucb more comfortable as no moon and pitch black. Wind maxed out at 25 knots W. After an hour of sailing with this combo and deciding the wind had settled unfurled 60% headsail and sailed as cutter. Increased boat speed by 1.5 knots and powered through waves with more speed and less banging and rolling.
Around 0400 winds eased and by 0500 no wind and confused ocean once again. Wind changed for the better as a gentle 3 -5 knots SE started very quickly. By 0600 wind SE 10 -15 knots settled. Blue skies with high level cloud around. Hoisted first reefed main and full headsail as soon as noticed SE.
Confused sea during transition at 3am with 3m rolly swell from W opposing the changing following sea from SE.
1800 wind sustained and settled at 15 knots SE and seas changed to following as we changed course to SW towards Sorong around the headland. Boat being overpowered with all the sail we had out and hydrovane in 3rd gear and needing to handsteer to compensate. Reaching speeds of 8.5 knot on a broad reach. Reefed headsail to 80% so hydrovane can handle the steering.
Can see SV Alien closer to land we are roughly 10nms from the mountainess coastline. Decided to steer away from land to maintain a constant wind. Beautiful morning sailing with blue skies, wind E-NE 10 knots. Full main, full headsail on a broad reach as we made our way S down the west coast of Papua.
Poled out headsail around 10am and dropped out pole at around 1600 to prepare for the night. Remained full sail as wind calm 6 -8 knots E. No clouds in sky and lots of stars.
Around 2100 wind begun to increase 10 - 13 knots E. Reefed headsail to first reef and reefed down headsail. Sailing a beam reach had good speeds heading S-SW at 6-7 knots.
At 2300 decided to slow boat for more comfort. Wind shifting more SE seas 1m choppy. Wind increased 15 -20 knots SE. Sailing on a reach, reefed main to second reef 50% genoa and hoisted staysail. Nandji powered through the small waves with only a few big bangs and burrying the bow in the water every 30 minutes. Boat speed 4 -5 knots wind steadily decreased and by 0400 had unfurled headsail to 80% to keep power up.
9th July - Jayapura to Sorong Day 9
Once sun was up wind dropped out 6-8 knots SE with a hot morning and blue skies, flat ocean. By lunch time wind had increased 15 knots SE. Lots of fishing boat lights during the night and the afternoon had the navy pass us by really close and passing us N then turning around and passing us on the way back. Had a guy in a long boat approach Nandji as we sailed and followed with us for an hour. Gave him water he crashed his boat into side of Nandji tapping our starboard aft corner. I had to yell at him to keep his distance. He wanted a tow but i said no.
Afternoon wind increased SE 10 -15 knots consistant and sailed on a close haul all afternoon. Full sail, trying to reach Sorong in daylight. Needed to make multiple tacks to enter bay avoiding reef. Dropped anchor next to SV Alien in bay before Sorong where all the big ships are anchored. Anchored in 15m but around us the depth jumps up fast and looks possibly to be reefy. Do not plan to stay max 2 nights.
Afternoon wind increased SE 10 -15 knots consistant and sailed on a close haul all afternoon. Full sail, trying to reach Sorong in daylight. Needed to make multiple tacks to enter bay avoiding reef. Dropped anchor next to SV Alien in bay before Sorong where all the big ships are anchored. Anchored in 15m but around us the depth jumps up fast and looks possibly to be reefy. Do not plan to stay max 2 nights.
May 2018 - Solomon Islands to Papua New Guinea
1st May
Departed Liapari around midday. Heavy shower in the morning slowed our departure. Plan to sail to Rabaul PNG a 450nm passage.
Motored with full main S around bottom of Liapari and Vella Levella islands and into the Wilton straight with Ranonnonga Island to port. Wind 5 knots SE, smooth seas and 1,5 – 2m swell. Once we entered the Wilson straight, swell and wind became blocked by Ranonnonga island. Strong current between Baja and Ranonnonga Islands. Once clear of Ranonnonga island to the S, instantly had 15 – 20 knots SE wind.
Reefed the main down to first reef and unfurled a reefed headsail. Seas 2ms with lots of whitecaps. Set course W – NW at a good speed averaging 6 knots.
1200 – Reefed down main to second reef ready for the night. Wind and seas slowly eased through the night until midnight when wind dropped out.
Motored with second reefed main for an hour SW, looking for wind.
Motored with full main S around bottom of Liapari and Vella Levella islands and into the Wilton straight with Ranonnonga Island to port. Wind 5 knots SE, smooth seas and 1,5 – 2m swell. Once we entered the Wilson straight, swell and wind became blocked by Ranonnonga island. Strong current between Baja and Ranonnonga Islands. Once clear of Ranonnonga island to the S, instantly had 15 – 20 knots SE wind.
Reefed the main down to first reef and unfurled a reefed headsail. Seas 2ms with lots of whitecaps. Set course W – NW at a good speed averaging 6 knots.
1200 – Reefed down main to second reef ready for the night. Wind and seas slowly eased through the night until midnight when wind dropped out.
Motored with second reefed main for an hour SW, looking for wind.
2nd May
E breeze begun at around 1am, 6 – 9 knots. Unfurled full headsail after 30 minutes, raised main to first reef. Wind increased to 10 – 13 knots and shifted NE an hour later dropped out.
Motored with first reefed main until 4:30am, squall from the SW with winds at 10 knots. Turned off engine, unfurled reefed headsail, sailed close hauled.
05:15 – Seas becoming confused and no longer a following 2m S sea. Still have 2m swell from S but wind chop on surface is confused.
05:30 – 15 knot W and rain. 20nms to get to the Treasury islands, seas increased to 3ms. Too big to beat into. Our course now heading N thought we would hide in the Shortland islands 40nms away.
W wind just forward of beam to ride off the seas. Hoisted stay sail to increase boat speed through the chopto 4.5knots, Reefed headsail, staysail and second reefed main.
Hydrovane in third gear as our main rudder has low hydraulic fluid and ram is slowly pushing back in when under load. Ttrying to sail with reduced sail and balance the boat, increased the hydrovane gear ratio to try and counteract.
Wind shifted SW then S, 15 knots changing our course to 300 degree true relative to the wind shift, now pointing at the treasury islands.
Midday – Have sailed 80nms since leaving, just about to pass the Treasury Islands.
0300 – Dropped staysail and changed course more downwind to ride the waves better. Now in the lee of Treasury Islands and swell is disappearing.
0500 – Wind 10 knots S – SE. Once out of lee of island swell returned to around 3 – 4m seas with lots of white caps. Sailing at a good speed - 5 – 6 knots.
1730 – reefed down main to second reef and turned headsail to reef mark to prepare for the evening.
Once the sun was down and it was pitch black we altered course W and hand steered for 2 hours, taking 20 minute intervals as we sailed on a beam reach. We had been on course for an uncharted shoal or reef, with the 4m seas I wanted to give it a wide berth incase waves were breaking on it. 1nm S of ref zone on chart, altered course downwind once more on a run.
Sailed at 300 degrees T NW all night as the wind slowly decreased. Full moon rose at 2100.
Motored with first reefed main until 4:30am, squall from the SW with winds at 10 knots. Turned off engine, unfurled reefed headsail, sailed close hauled.
05:15 – Seas becoming confused and no longer a following 2m S sea. Still have 2m swell from S but wind chop on surface is confused.
05:30 – 15 knot W and rain. 20nms to get to the Treasury islands, seas increased to 3ms. Too big to beat into. Our course now heading N thought we would hide in the Shortland islands 40nms away.
W wind just forward of beam to ride off the seas. Hoisted stay sail to increase boat speed through the chopto 4.5knots, Reefed headsail, staysail and second reefed main.
Hydrovane in third gear as our main rudder has low hydraulic fluid and ram is slowly pushing back in when under load. Ttrying to sail with reduced sail and balance the boat, increased the hydrovane gear ratio to try and counteract.
Wind shifted SW then S, 15 knots changing our course to 300 degree true relative to the wind shift, now pointing at the treasury islands.
Midday – Have sailed 80nms since leaving, just about to pass the Treasury Islands.
0300 – Dropped staysail and changed course more downwind to ride the waves better. Now in the lee of Treasury Islands and swell is disappearing.
0500 – Wind 10 knots S – SE. Once out of lee of island swell returned to around 3 – 4m seas with lots of white caps. Sailing at a good speed - 5 – 6 knots.
1730 – reefed down main to second reef and turned headsail to reef mark to prepare for the evening.
Once the sun was down and it was pitch black we altered course W and hand steered for 2 hours, taking 20 minute intervals as we sailed on a beam reach. We had been on course for an uncharted shoal or reef, with the 4m seas I wanted to give it a wide berth incase waves were breaking on it. 1nm S of ref zone on chart, altered course downwind once more on a run.
Sailed at 300 degrees T NW all night as the wind slowly decreased. Full moon rose at 2100.
3rd May
0200 – Wind dropped out to below 5 knots and sails flapping. Furled headsail and motored with second reefed main as the seas still 3 – 4m and very rolly not moving along.
0400 – Having engine issues when engine wont rev higher than 1700RPM put into neutral then tried again and it would not go any higher than 1700 RPM. I think maybe the engine is starved of air and will need to have the engine room hatch open to help it breathe when under load for longer periods. Turned off the engine. Unfirled full headsail. Wind S 6 – 8 knots second reefed main. Sailed under this combo until 0800.
0800 – hoisted full main. Seas dropped to 1m by 0800. Wind 10 knots S all day.
1700 – Forecast looks good and should have similar winds all night until light winds in the morning. Will leave full main into night, skies look clear. 150nms still to get to Rabaul. Over half way, have sailed 250nms.
At dusk we noticed that the seas were building again and a slight increase in wind after a consistent 10 – 15 knots S all day.
Reefed main to first reef, wind increased to 20 knots and reefed headsail in as well. Seas built to 3 – 4 meters with white caps. Full moon rose around 2130 and we could see the rough seas well. With a good breeze on our rear quarter we averaged 6 knots all night until sunrise, sailing 70nms at night. At around 2am a big grey cloud moved forward from the horizon and threatened a storm rolling in. The clouds swallowed the moon but we kept up with the clouds rolling in and continued on with clear skies ahead and clouds behind. Lightening off in the distance.
0400 – Having engine issues when engine wont rev higher than 1700RPM put into neutral then tried again and it would not go any higher than 1700 RPM. I think maybe the engine is starved of air and will need to have the engine room hatch open to help it breathe when under load for longer periods. Turned off the engine. Unfirled full headsail. Wind S 6 – 8 knots second reefed main. Sailed under this combo until 0800.
0800 – hoisted full main. Seas dropped to 1m by 0800. Wind 10 knots S all day.
1700 – Forecast looks good and should have similar winds all night until light winds in the morning. Will leave full main into night, skies look clear. 150nms still to get to Rabaul. Over half way, have sailed 250nms.
At dusk we noticed that the seas were building again and a slight increase in wind after a consistent 10 – 15 knots S all day.
Reefed main to first reef, wind increased to 20 knots and reefed headsail in as well. Seas built to 3 – 4 meters with white caps. Full moon rose around 2130 and we could see the rough seas well. With a good breeze on our rear quarter we averaged 6 knots all night until sunrise, sailing 70nms at night. At around 2am a big grey cloud moved forward from the horizon and threatened a storm rolling in. The clouds swallowed the moon but we kept up with the clouds rolling in and continued on with clear skies ahead and clouds behind. Lightening off in the distance.
4th May
Wind dropped out at sunrise and forced us to motor full headsail and turn on motor. Seas still 3 – 4m and uncomfortable when not moving. Motored with reefed main. Skies are grey and lots of rain patches around.
0700 – Hit by squall from W and forced our course N. Winds swung from S to W to SW to S then ending SE.
Lots of rain through the day. 40nms to reach the St George Passage. We made great ground through the night but headed very N – NW instead of NW. Now we need to make up ground W to reach the channel. If we miss the channel it will be very difficult to sail into the rough seas. Wind returned to S 15 knots and seas steadily dropped to 2 – 3ms with lots of whitecaps. Sailed on a beam reach on for a few hours and got soaked from ocean and rain.
1230 – Could head thunder to the S and saw a few lightening strikes in the distance, within 10 minutes the storm was on us and had winds SW of 20 knots and heavy rain. Changed course and ran off with the wind. Reefed headsail in heavily only leaving a small triangle for stability. Reefed main down to second reef, just as we reefed winds increased to 30 knots. Storm lasted for 3 hours with heavy rain the whole time. Winds changed from SW to S to SE then E and sustained at 25 knots.
We changed course with the wind and continued to run with the breeze. Rain stopped and E wind remained for the next 30 minutes. Perfect breeze to head W – SW to clear the headland and reach the channel.
Seas confused and no consistent direction around 3 – 4m seas. Lots of whitecaps and heavy overfalls when waves combined to pea and form one wave. With 10nms to the channel, E wind dropped out to nothing. Wind changed to SW at 10 knots, Continuing on W course.
0700 – Hit by squall from W and forced our course N. Winds swung from S to W to SW to S then ending SE.
Lots of rain through the day. 40nms to reach the St George Passage. We made great ground through the night but headed very N – NW instead of NW. Now we need to make up ground W to reach the channel. If we miss the channel it will be very difficult to sail into the rough seas. Wind returned to S 15 knots and seas steadily dropped to 2 – 3ms with lots of whitecaps. Sailed on a beam reach on for a few hours and got soaked from ocean and rain.
1230 – Could head thunder to the S and saw a few lightening strikes in the distance, within 10 minutes the storm was on us and had winds SW of 20 knots and heavy rain. Changed course and ran off with the wind. Reefed headsail in heavily only leaving a small triangle for stability. Reefed main down to second reef, just as we reefed winds increased to 30 knots. Storm lasted for 3 hours with heavy rain the whole time. Winds changed from SW to S to SE then E and sustained at 25 knots.
We changed course with the wind and continued to run with the breeze. Rain stopped and E wind remained for the next 30 minutes. Perfect breeze to head W – SW to clear the headland and reach the channel.
Seas confused and no consistent direction around 3 – 4m seas. Lots of whitecaps and heavy overfalls when waves combined to pea and form one wave. With 10nms to the channel, E wind dropped out to nothing. Wind changed to SW at 10 knots, Continuing on W course.
1st April
Fuel Dip - 80 Litres
Engine hours - 3380.2hrs
Engine hours - 3380.2hrs
March 2018 - Solomon Islands
10 March
Anchored in Noro out the front of the Market. Morning light on smooth water made it hard to navigate out of the anchorage. Needing to motor through 2 skinny breaks in the reef.
Went to main wharf to tie up but logging barge was tied to the wharf. Rafted up to the barge instead infront of tugboat. Barge solid steel side, 3m high.
Wind started to blow whilst tied up. SW 8 – 10 knots Pushed us up against the barge. Added 85 litres of fuel, tank now full, 220 Litres.
Needed to walk Nandji along the barges edge to push off so davits on stern would not scrape or hit barge. Made it off with precision.
Hoisted full main, full genoa, Course N out of Hathorn Sound into Kula Gulf. Wind tending W – SW and slowly increasing.
Turned into wind and reefed main. Changed course NE, dead down-wind under reefed main only. Averaged 5.3 knots boat speed.
1400 – Wind increased to a constant 15 knots W – SW. Seas increased to 1.5m. Short steep waves with lots of white caps in the Gulf. Gybed from going dead down-wind and put wind at 120 – 150 degrees on Starboard tack. Unfurled port headsail to balance boat. Nandji was loving the wind and we averaged 6 knots, max speed at 6.7 knots.
Arrived to Wilson Harbour at 1630, dropped sails at reef entrance and motored in. Skinny gap between reef with a bombie in the middle of the channel. Anchored in 18ms flat bottom on chart screen. Find out tomorrow what bottom is.
Went to main wharf to tie up but logging barge was tied to the wharf. Rafted up to the barge instead infront of tugboat. Barge solid steel side, 3m high.
Wind started to blow whilst tied up. SW 8 – 10 knots Pushed us up against the barge. Added 85 litres of fuel, tank now full, 220 Litres.
Needed to walk Nandji along the barges edge to push off so davits on stern would not scrape or hit barge. Made it off with precision.
Hoisted full main, full genoa, Course N out of Hathorn Sound into Kula Gulf. Wind tending W – SW and slowly increasing.
Turned into wind and reefed main. Changed course NE, dead down-wind under reefed main only. Averaged 5.3 knots boat speed.
1400 – Wind increased to a constant 15 knots W – SW. Seas increased to 1.5m. Short steep waves with lots of white caps in the Gulf. Gybed from going dead down-wind and put wind at 120 – 150 degrees on Starboard tack. Unfurled port headsail to balance boat. Nandji was loving the wind and we averaged 6 knots, max speed at 6.7 knots.
Arrived to Wilson Harbour at 1630, dropped sails at reef entrance and motored in. Skinny gap between reef with a bombie in the middle of the channel. Anchored in 18ms flat bottom on chart screen. Find out tomorrow what bottom is.
11 March
Storm from NW blew in around 1am. Anchorage open to all weather from NW.
Swell increased over reef and became very choppy in the anchorage. Did not sleep at all!!!
As the sun rose started engine as hanging closer to the reef then expected. Anchor held strong all morning and never went outside anchor watch circumference.
Bonita motored out of the lagoon between the skinny reef entrance. Seas 2 – 2.5m choppy through entrance. Short and steep waves with white caps. Waves breaking heavily on the reef, both sides of the passé.
In open water, seas 2m. Wind W – NW 10 – 13 knots. Wind was not strong but seas were big and very close together. Short and steep waves. First reefed main and reefed headsail. Headed on a NE course towards our destination of Anuon Islands. Waves on beam and very rolly. Turned so waves and wind were behind 90 degrees but still very rough conditions.
Winds increased to 15 – 18 knots with consistent seas. 2.5m – 3.5m with large overfalls.
Sailed on E – NE course for 5nms around the top of New Georgia Island. Deciding conditions were too rough to cross “The Slot” headed directly downwind and furled headsail. Once around the headland, Seas slowly became smaller.
5nms down the coast, seas dropped to 1 – 1.5m close to the coast. Headed towards Lever Harbour and decided would go into the bay further East just around the headland. 2nms out from entrance, wind dropped below 5 knots then shifted N – NE 10 knots.
Smoothed seas rather rapidly but no good to cross to Isabel Island. Entrance into the anchorage is direct South. Reef had sticks as markers on starboard and port side. Rounded island with abandoned village and tied up to an old wharf where passenger vessel stops. 18m in bay and 7m tied up to wooden wharf. No Cleats so tied up to logs and wood on wharf.
Swell increased over reef and became very choppy in the anchorage. Did not sleep at all!!!
As the sun rose started engine as hanging closer to the reef then expected. Anchor held strong all morning and never went outside anchor watch circumference.
Bonita motored out of the lagoon between the skinny reef entrance. Seas 2 – 2.5m choppy through entrance. Short and steep waves with white caps. Waves breaking heavily on the reef, both sides of the passé.
In open water, seas 2m. Wind W – NW 10 – 13 knots. Wind was not strong but seas were big and very close together. Short and steep waves. First reefed main and reefed headsail. Headed on a NE course towards our destination of Anuon Islands. Waves on beam and very rolly. Turned so waves and wind were behind 90 degrees but still very rough conditions.
Winds increased to 15 – 18 knots with consistent seas. 2.5m – 3.5m with large overfalls.
Sailed on E – NE course for 5nms around the top of New Georgia Island. Deciding conditions were too rough to cross “The Slot” headed directly downwind and furled headsail. Once around the headland, Seas slowly became smaller.
5nms down the coast, seas dropped to 1 – 1.5m close to the coast. Headed towards Lever Harbour and decided would go into the bay further East just around the headland. 2nms out from entrance, wind dropped below 5 knots then shifted N – NE 10 knots.
Smoothed seas rather rapidly but no good to cross to Isabel Island. Entrance into the anchorage is direct South. Reef had sticks as markers on starboard and port side. Rounded island with abandoned village and tied up to an old wharf where passenger vessel stops. 18m in bay and 7m tied up to wooden wharf. No Cleats so tied up to logs and wood on wharf.
13 March
Spent allday doing boat maintenance and cleaning as weather still strong from NW and raining. Left at daybreak this morning, motored out of the harbour under first reefed main. Once clear of the headland, unfurled full headsail. Wind 5 – 8 knots W – SW. Seas still very rolly and messy 1.5m, 1m swell from NW. Motor sailed for 1.5 hours until well clear of land. Wind SW 6 – 8 knots. Turned off motor and sailed at 3 knots. Nandji rolled quite a bit as wind is behind the beam yet still bashing into waves. Sea is slowly changing now and is like a washing machine with lots of peaks and waves from different angles.
Heading N to NE at 0 – 30 degrees true.
Engine hours – 3339.7 hours
1400 – Wind increased to 12 – 16 knots W, straightened the sea and now travelling in a NW direction around 1m seas.
1500 – Reached barrier reef between Choisel Island and Isabel Island. Hooked a Mahi Mahi as cruising along reef edge looking for a gap in reef. Bonita gybed away from the reef to land the fish. Furled headsail and travelled downwind. Once fish on deck, gybed back towards reef.
Wind increasing to 15- 20 knots W as looking for reef pass. Found gap in-between reef and headed on N course between reef. Current against wind causing waves to stand up to 2ms. Lots of overfalls and white caps. Pass reached 30ms deep with reef on either side at below 6ms deep. From the channel of 300+m deep water into the skinny reef pass.
Inside lagoon seas remained short and steep with lots of whitecaps. Must be currents that run across entire lagoon to cause such hectic waves. Reefed down main into second reef. Wind W 20+ knots. Unfurled little bit of headsail. 7nms to island.
Rounded bottom of lagoon and tightened all sails to close haul into the wind for final 2nms to lagoon entrance.
1700 – Furled headsail and motored into the lagoon.
Few reef patches to avoid so continued under motor and second reef to NW corner of lagoon. Dropped anchor on sand bottom. 15ms right out the front of the conservation office. Big exciting day of sailing.
Distance sailed – 50nms
Top speed – 7.8 knots
Strongest wind gust – 23 knots W
Conservation park charges are extremely expensive!!!
80 SBD per person
100 SBD for yacht anchoring per night
Will be leaving as soon as we can.
Heading N to NE at 0 – 30 degrees true.
Engine hours – 3339.7 hours
1400 – Wind increased to 12 – 16 knots W, straightened the sea and now travelling in a NW direction around 1m seas.
1500 – Reached barrier reef between Choisel Island and Isabel Island. Hooked a Mahi Mahi as cruising along reef edge looking for a gap in reef. Bonita gybed away from the reef to land the fish. Furled headsail and travelled downwind. Once fish on deck, gybed back towards reef.
Wind increasing to 15- 20 knots W as looking for reef pass. Found gap in-between reef and headed on N course between reef. Current against wind causing waves to stand up to 2ms. Lots of overfalls and white caps. Pass reached 30ms deep with reef on either side at below 6ms deep. From the channel of 300+m deep water into the skinny reef pass.
Inside lagoon seas remained short and steep with lots of whitecaps. Must be currents that run across entire lagoon to cause such hectic waves. Reefed down main into second reef. Wind W 20+ knots. Unfurled little bit of headsail. 7nms to island.
Rounded bottom of lagoon and tightened all sails to close haul into the wind for final 2nms to lagoon entrance.
1700 – Furled headsail and motored into the lagoon.
Few reef patches to avoid so continued under motor and second reef to NW corner of lagoon. Dropped anchor on sand bottom. 15ms right out the front of the conservation office. Big exciting day of sailing.
Distance sailed – 50nms
Top speed – 7.8 knots
Strongest wind gust – 23 knots W
Conservation park charges are extremely expensive!!!
80 SBD per person
100 SBD for yacht anchoring per night
Will be leaving as soon as we can.
15 March
Engine hours at end of sail – 3342.9 hours
Heavy rain all morning at anchorage. Good timing as tanks were almost empty. Managed to fill all tanks and 2 jerry cans on deck. Rain cleared around lunch so decided to pick up anchor and go. Hoisted first reefed main inside lagoon and motored out of lagoon. Once clear and in the reef entrance, unfurled full headsail. Wind NW 7 – 9 knots. Seas smooth with a 1m swell from NW and another small swell from S.
Sailed across passage 7nms to Kologilo passage. Furled headsail as wind disappeared behind island. Strong current between islands and water had lots of eddies, Smooth patches and overfalls. Very glad weather is light as would get very hectic with wind added to the equation.
Saw small bay on Ovital on SW corner of Malakobi Island. Getting late in the afternoon so decided would anchor here. Bay is smaller than expected and closer to reef than I would like. Small waves breaking on reefs both sides of entrance. Anchored in 22ms, sand bottom. Very calm now, hopefully remaining this way all night.
Dove on anchor and took tender around anchor circumference and should be okay. Open to anything from NE to S but should not get wether from that direction. Reef shoals up rather rapidly all around so no room for error. Bottom is sand and looks good holding.
Took tender trip around bay and let Marley run on beach after making lots of noise with the outboard to scare any Crocs nearby. Packed up again and spotted a crocodile on the next beach over, 4m long, sunning himself.
Anchor watch set on small radius.
Heavy rain all morning at anchorage. Good timing as tanks were almost empty. Managed to fill all tanks and 2 jerry cans on deck. Rain cleared around lunch so decided to pick up anchor and go. Hoisted first reefed main inside lagoon and motored out of lagoon. Once clear and in the reef entrance, unfurled full headsail. Wind NW 7 – 9 knots. Seas smooth with a 1m swell from NW and another small swell from S.
Sailed across passage 7nms to Kologilo passage. Furled headsail as wind disappeared behind island. Strong current between islands and water had lots of eddies, Smooth patches and overfalls. Very glad weather is light as would get very hectic with wind added to the equation.
Saw small bay on Ovital on SW corner of Malakobi Island. Getting late in the afternoon so decided would anchor here. Bay is smaller than expected and closer to reef than I would like. Small waves breaking on reefs both sides of entrance. Anchored in 22ms, sand bottom. Very calm now, hopefully remaining this way all night.
Dove on anchor and took tender around anchor circumference and should be okay. Open to anything from NE to S but should not get wether from that direction. Reef shoals up rather rapidly all around so no room for error. Bottom is sand and looks good holding.
Took tender trip around bay and let Marley run on beach after making lots of noise with the outboard to scare any Crocs nearby. Packed up again and spotted a crocodile on the next beach over, 4m long, sunning himself.
Anchor watch set on small radius.
16 March
Weather stayed light all night and never swung outside anchor radius. Morning light showed us reef but water was plenty deep enough and Nandji was never in trouble.
Picked up anchor and hoisted first reefed main. Current in Kologilo passage is over 3 knots. Big reef in middle of pass between 2 islands and skinny channels either side. Current caused overfalls and white caps on reef with strong water sucking through both sides of the reef. Luckily the current was in our favour.
Continued on NE course, undecided to go around outside of headland or inside to the next pass. Current still over 2 knots and sucking us N rapidly. Unfurled full headsail, Wind 8 knots NE course E.
Could see lots of current movement at portside between our position and open sea. There is a shoal off of headland and as I watched a giant set came around the headland and broke on shoal. This certified us heading on the inside of bates island. Passage is deep water out to sea but gentle wind against current caused a barrier of big steep waves with overfalls.
Remained heading E the current continuously sucked us towards open water. A patch in the middle of the passage, inside the outside overfall area, a small area of 50m2 had serious current. Waves standing to 3m and overfalls. Tried to go past inside but current was too strong and we rode straight through the waves. Once through patch turned E again and motored with full sail at 2000RPM to avoid shoal and get inside headland.
Once inside headland the current disappeared and we backed the motor off. Sailed into the skinny reef pass into following sea entrance. Lots of reef to avoid, eyes in the rigging and one steering. Left through Popo pass. Leaving through the pass was a very good idea as little current and deep water out to sea. Waves broke on both sides of reef and potential for surf but nothing exciting.
In open water motor sailed 3nms to the next pass and entered. Fringing reef on N side of entrance but easily avoidable. 300m inside entrance on N side is a small canal open to a circle of deep water. Surrounded by reef and deep water right up to beach edge, dropped anchor in 12ms. Beautiful beach for Marley to tear up with palm trees.
Picked up anchor and hoisted first reefed main. Current in Kologilo passage is over 3 knots. Big reef in middle of pass between 2 islands and skinny channels either side. Current caused overfalls and white caps on reef with strong water sucking through both sides of the reef. Luckily the current was in our favour.
Continued on NE course, undecided to go around outside of headland or inside to the next pass. Current still over 2 knots and sucking us N rapidly. Unfurled full headsail, Wind 8 knots NE course E.
Could see lots of current movement at portside between our position and open sea. There is a shoal off of headland and as I watched a giant set came around the headland and broke on shoal. This certified us heading on the inside of bates island. Passage is deep water out to sea but gentle wind against current caused a barrier of big steep waves with overfalls.
Remained heading E the current continuously sucked us towards open water. A patch in the middle of the passage, inside the outside overfall area, a small area of 50m2 had serious current. Waves standing to 3m and overfalls. Tried to go past inside but current was too strong and we rode straight through the waves. Once through patch turned E again and motored with full sail at 2000RPM to avoid shoal and get inside headland.
Once inside headland the current disappeared and we backed the motor off. Sailed into the skinny reef pass into following sea entrance. Lots of reef to avoid, eyes in the rigging and one steering. Left through Popo pass. Leaving through the pass was a very good idea as little current and deep water out to sea. Waves broke on both sides of reef and potential for surf but nothing exciting.
In open water motor sailed 3nms to the next pass and entered. Fringing reef on N side of entrance but easily avoidable. 300m inside entrance on N side is a small canal open to a circle of deep water. Surrounded by reef and deep water right up to beach edge, dropped anchor in 12ms. Beautiful beach for Marley to tear up with palm trees.
18 March
Engine hours – 3352.4 hours
Plan on heading to Kia to upload Sailing Nandji vids. Will stay inside lagoon. Sun shining, wind below 5 knots W. Wind increased to a gentle 8 knots NW, hoisted full main and unfurled full genoa. Slowly sailed E – SE inside lagoon to passage into Kia. Needed to gybe a couple of times and sailed dead downwind under main only for a few miles. From anchorage to Kia entrance roughly 8nms.
Strong current 2-3 knots flowing out to sea and against us. Lots of eddies and small overfalls at entrance with wind against current. Motored with full main and engine at 1800RPM. Speed around 3.5 knots. Half way to Kia dropped main as hills sheltered from any other wind. Speed dropped to 2.5 – 3 knots.
Motored 4nms to Kia. Strong current entire way and shallow patches of reef to avoid with white water breaking on them from current.
No reception in Kia. Town is basically built on the water as a steep hill behind the town.
Continued to motor through pass, turned to starboard at Kia and followed the S channel to the South coast of Isabel. Spotted skinny channel through the mangroves which led into a protected anchorage for the night. Anchored 11m sand and coral bottom.
Plan on heading to Kia to upload Sailing Nandji vids. Will stay inside lagoon. Sun shining, wind below 5 knots W. Wind increased to a gentle 8 knots NW, hoisted full main and unfurled full genoa. Slowly sailed E – SE inside lagoon to passage into Kia. Needed to gybe a couple of times and sailed dead downwind under main only for a few miles. From anchorage to Kia entrance roughly 8nms.
Strong current 2-3 knots flowing out to sea and against us. Lots of eddies and small overfalls at entrance with wind against current. Motored with full main and engine at 1800RPM. Speed around 3.5 knots. Half way to Kia dropped main as hills sheltered from any other wind. Speed dropped to 2.5 – 3 knots.
Motored 4nms to Kia. Strong current entire way and shallow patches of reef to avoid with white water breaking on them from current.
No reception in Kia. Town is basically built on the water as a steep hill behind the town.
Continued to motor through pass, turned to starboard at Kia and followed the S channel to the South coast of Isabel. Spotted skinny channel through the mangroves which led into a protected anchorage for the night. Anchored 11m sand and coral bottom.
23 March
Engine hours – 3356.3 hours
Fuel Dip – 163 Litres
Attempted to begin our passage back to Noro. Weather hot and still in the morning with lots of clouds so hoisted first reefed main and begun motoring.
Wind increased 10 knots W and lagoon steadily became choppy. Unfurled full headsail once clear of 2 little islands.
Need to head on a W – NW course so wind was challenging at best. Hoisted staysail for extra drive up front. Sailed at 3 knots, choppy lagoon slowed any progress. Tacked 3 times as we headed NW avoiding reef.
Could see a massive squall on the horizion coming our way. Furled headsail and continued under staysail and first reefed main. Winds from squall increased to 20 – 25 knots NW for 1 hour with heavy rain. Decided to turn around and head back to anchorage.
Halfway back to anchorage, sailing downwind, blue skies and little wind. Below 10 knots W – NW. Seas became smooth and consistent again.
We turned around again and tried to head back up the coast, Losing 3nms from sailing downwind. Dropped staysail and used full genoa to sail downwind. Once turned and tried to head upwind, remained with same sail combo, continued for an hour or 2 and gained back distance we lost.
2 huge squalls appeared on the horizon again so decided to turn around once again as lagoon became too choppy and waves in different directions. 1m – 1.5m.Sailed downwind to anchorage. Caught a sailfish on the way back, made the day worthwhile. Anchored 14ms, Sandy coral bottom.
Fuel Dip – 163 Litres
Attempted to begin our passage back to Noro. Weather hot and still in the morning with lots of clouds so hoisted first reefed main and begun motoring.
Wind increased 10 knots W and lagoon steadily became choppy. Unfurled full headsail once clear of 2 little islands.
Need to head on a W – NW course so wind was challenging at best. Hoisted staysail for extra drive up front. Sailed at 3 knots, choppy lagoon slowed any progress. Tacked 3 times as we headed NW avoiding reef.
Could see a massive squall on the horizion coming our way. Furled headsail and continued under staysail and first reefed main. Winds from squall increased to 20 – 25 knots NW for 1 hour with heavy rain. Decided to turn around and head back to anchorage.
Halfway back to anchorage, sailing downwind, blue skies and little wind. Below 10 knots W – NW. Seas became smooth and consistent again.
We turned around again and tried to head back up the coast, Losing 3nms from sailing downwind. Dropped staysail and used full genoa to sail downwind. Once turned and tried to head upwind, remained with same sail combo, continued for an hour or 2 and gained back distance we lost.
2 huge squalls appeared on the horizon again so decided to turn around once again as lagoon became too choppy and waves in different directions. 1m – 1.5m.Sailed downwind to anchorage. Caught a sailfish on the way back, made the day worthwhile. Anchored 14ms, Sandy coral bottom.
24 March
Left anchorage around 1200. Very calm and still in anchorage. Once around the island wind W 10 knots. Motored with first reef main until clear of the reef. Seas much smoother today and clear skies. Hoisted staysail and unfurled full genoa. Tacked a few times to avoid reef before setting course S – SW to the middle passage out of the lagoon.
Winds slowly dropped away all morning and ended up motoring with main only to the reef pass. Just before reaching the pass a gentle N wind 5 knots started. We unfurled the headsail. Once out of the pass, turned off engine. Hoisted staysail, Set course W – SW. Very happy to have a favourable wind on the beam.
Mixed sail combos of furling headsail down to first reef and less as wind fluctuated up to 15 knots N – NW at times.
Lots of lightening around, some striking the ocean but no rain until 3:30am. Strong squall for 30 minutes with winds up to 20 knots NW. Wind remained NW and forced us to head more S then wanted and having to tack back out into “the slot” as wont get around New Georgia headland.
Winds slowly dropped away all morning and ended up motoring with main only to the reef pass. Just before reaching the pass a gentle N wind 5 knots started. We unfurled the headsail. Once out of the pass, turned off engine. Hoisted staysail, Set course W – SW. Very happy to have a favourable wind on the beam.
Mixed sail combos of furling headsail down to first reef and less as wind fluctuated up to 15 knots N – NW at times.
Lots of lightening around, some striking the ocean but no rain until 3:30am. Strong squall for 30 minutes with winds up to 20 knots NW. Wind remained NW and forced us to head more S then wanted and having to tack back out into “the slot” as wont get around New Georgia headland.
25 March
0400 – Went to tack back out into “the Slot” and wind dropped out completely. 10 minutes later a strong S squall hit with winds of up to 25 knots. New course heading N – NW as wind varied between S – SW. Only a couple of miles off land so didn’t want to tack back towards New Georgia Island. Squall lasted for 3 hours and well after the sun came up. Heavy rain. Seas became confused with a S chop and NW chop 1 – 1,5m. Lots of white caps.
0800 – S – SW wind eased and dropped out completely. Turned engine on and motored with headsail, staysail and first reefed main until the wind was no more.
0900 – Dropped staysail and furled genoa. Motoring directly into Noro with reefed main. 20nm’s to go.
0930 – Seas full Garry glass off and motoring at 4 knots 1800 RPMs.
0800 – S – SW wind eased and dropped out completely. Turned engine on and motored with headsail, staysail and first reefed main until the wind was no more.
0900 – Dropped staysail and furled genoa. Motoring directly into Noro with reefed main. 20nm’s to go.
0930 – Seas full Garry glass off and motoring at 4 knots 1800 RPMs.
February 2018 - Solomon Islands
2 February
Finally leaving Lola island and Zipolo retreat. Overcast cloudy day, few rain showers. Wind W 10 knots. Plan to navigate back through Vona Vona Lagoon to Noro. Lagoon very murky after rainfall this week. Will follow path we came in on. Have been playing around with engine yesterday. Cleaned and de-greased bilge, Little bit of water back in there today. I think it is the drains from the cockpit. Will re-plumb those when in civilisation. Tightened raw water pump belt for pump. On our way in, the engine slowly overheated when under load. I think the belt was slipping, now tightened and it appears to be pumping lots of water again. Will monitor today. Re-crimped the connection on back of alternator. Struggled to get oil dip for some reason. Needed oil and now have 1 litre too much in sump. Will run today and monitor. May need to pump out extra. Still puffing white smoke, need to get to Liapari for experts. Fuel dip 90 litres. Should fill up in Noro to keep tank full and continue to burn through old diesel and dilute. Motored through the lagoon heading W. Turned E to follow track, turned off motor and sailed under reefed headsail only, wind 15 knots W. Had one scare where we went off previous track slightly and went over reef to 3m deep. Turned hard to Port and missed reef. Murky water made it difficult to see even when ontop of the reef. Motored through the Diamond Narrows with current running 2 – 3 knots. Entered through reef into anchorage of Noro. Could see dark clouds coming and anchored just before weather arrived. Sandy/ Coral/ Reef bottom. Anchorage is only small surrounded by reef. When weather front arrived, wind 25 knots W and heavy rain. Anchor was holding strong but we did not feel comfortable hanging lee to shore. Many huts built on the water and Nandji was hanging below 30ms from the closest hut. Not happy and worried about our position. Picked up anchor again in the wind and rain and navigated our way back through the reef. Once back in Hathorn Sound and clear of reef, hoisted reefed main and unfurled reefed headsail. Sailed N in heavy rain, visibility below 50m. Wind 15 – 20 knots W. New plan to head to anchorage 10nms N of Noro to Bat Harbour on Kolomabangarna Island. Once rain cleared, wind dropped to 10 knots W. A few more rain showers over the next couple of hours as we sailed to the anchorage. Smooth seas, wind variable from 5 – 20 knots W tending SW wrapping around the land. Speed 2.5 knots – 6 knots. Dropped all sails and motored into Bat Harbour. Glassy calm water in anchorage, surrounded by dense jungle scrub. Anchored in 15m mud bottom.
3 February
Fuel Dip – 80 Litres
Redish liquid in bilge. Gearbox has a leak somewhere when under load. Re-filled gearbox fluid with 300ml. Bilgewater redish and black. Oil leak from somewhere aswell but could just be bilge. Need to De-grease better.
Slight wind W below 5 knots. Curious to see what the weather is like outside of this protected anchorage. Hoisted first reefed main and full genoa once in Kula gulf. Wind W 10 – 15 knots. Wind tended more SW the closer to Blackett straight. Reefed headsail as wind gusts reached 20 knots. Tacked to point through straight. Wind SW 15 knots had a good angle to head through when hit by a squall. For about 3 hours, tried tacking through straight as squall after squall hit us. 5 different severe squalls. Maximum wind gust was 35 knots from the W. Furled and unfurled headsail constantly trying to utilise the fluctuating wind from below 10 knots to 25 knots W – SW.
Current in Blackett Straight I thought would be running with us but I was wrong and it was against us flowing at 2 – 3 knots. Decided to turn around after 35 knot gust knocked us down to 45 degrees.
Downwind sailed 5nms back to Noro. Once turned around, Faras sails appeared on the horizon and they were heading to Noro aswell. Downwind was fun, reaching speeds of 7 knots. Do not know why we try upwind sailing!!
Anchored infront of the market. 50m scope in 8m. Sandy/ reefy bottom.
Redish liquid in bilge. Gearbox has a leak somewhere when under load. Re-filled gearbox fluid with 300ml. Bilgewater redish and black. Oil leak from somewhere aswell but could just be bilge. Need to De-grease better.
Slight wind W below 5 knots. Curious to see what the weather is like outside of this protected anchorage. Hoisted first reefed main and full genoa once in Kula gulf. Wind W 10 – 15 knots. Wind tended more SW the closer to Blackett straight. Reefed headsail as wind gusts reached 20 knots. Tacked to point through straight. Wind SW 15 knots had a good angle to head through when hit by a squall. For about 3 hours, tried tacking through straight as squall after squall hit us. 5 different severe squalls. Maximum wind gust was 35 knots from the W. Furled and unfurled headsail constantly trying to utilise the fluctuating wind from below 10 knots to 25 knots W – SW.
Current in Blackett Straight I thought would be running with us but I was wrong and it was against us flowing at 2 – 3 knots. Decided to turn around after 35 knot gust knocked us down to 45 degrees.
Downwind sailed 5nms back to Noro. Once turned around, Faras sails appeared on the horizon and they were heading to Noro aswell. Downwind was fun, reaching speeds of 7 knots. Do not know why we try upwind sailing!!
Anchored infront of the market. 50m scope in 8m. Sandy/ reefy bottom.
11 February
Fuel dip – 80 litres
Finally leaving Noro after a big week of work. Extended visa, they gave us 6 months! Overcast morning, rain first then just heavy dark clouds. Wind W/SW 6 – 8 knots. Motor sailed, first reefed main in case squall hits. Full genoa.
Wind shifted W – NW 10 knots. Current through Blackett straight not as strong today and held course well through it. No motor.
Wind shift back to SW – S half way though where the channel get skinny. Wind slowly dropped out until at 15:30 nearly no wind. Furled headsail and motored into Ringi cove since we were at the entrance. Went into NW corner anchored in 12m mud. Distance covered 10nms.
Finally leaving Noro after a big week of work. Extended visa, they gave us 6 months! Overcast morning, rain first then just heavy dark clouds. Wind W/SW 6 – 8 knots. Motor sailed, first reefed main in case squall hits. Full genoa.
Wind shifted W – NW 10 knots. Current through Blackett straight not as strong today and held course well through it. No motor.
Wind shift back to SW – S half way though where the channel get skinny. Wind slowly dropped out until at 15:30 nearly no wind. Furled headsail and motored into Ringi cove since we were at the entrance. Went into NW corner anchored in 12m mud. Distance covered 10nms.
12 February
Fuel dip 70 litres.
Very still, hot and calm morning, lots of sunshine. Gentle SW wind begun at around 930 so picked up anchor and motored out of Ringi cove. Hoisted first reefed main. Once clear of port marker and into Blackett straight set course W towards Ghizo. Wind 5 – 8 knots SW. Full genoa and staysail.
Gentle current against but seemed to change on the port beam, now nothing as we are further through the straight and closer to Ferguson Passage. Wind dying below 6 knots S – SW.
Once clear of final island of Vona Vona lagoon wind finally increased to 8 – 10 knots S. With this breeze we finally felt a little speed and sailed across the Ferguson passage at 4 – 4.5 knots. Full genoa, stay sail and first reefed main.
Entered into Gizo lagoon past Kennedy island and weaved between reef, past Nusa Tape. Dropped stay sail before entering Kennedy Island passé.
Sailed in lagoon with full genoa and first reefed main. Had to furl headsail going between reef off of Nusa Tape island (Air strip island) Once through reef passé turned off engine and hoisted full genoa once more and sailed into Gizo. Dropped anchor in 10m out front of fuel dock in NW corner.
Very still, hot and calm morning, lots of sunshine. Gentle SW wind begun at around 930 so picked up anchor and motored out of Ringi cove. Hoisted first reefed main. Once clear of port marker and into Blackett straight set course W towards Ghizo. Wind 5 – 8 knots SW. Full genoa and staysail.
Gentle current against but seemed to change on the port beam, now nothing as we are further through the straight and closer to Ferguson Passage. Wind dying below 6 knots S – SW.
Once clear of final island of Vona Vona lagoon wind finally increased to 8 – 10 knots S. With this breeze we finally felt a little speed and sailed across the Ferguson passage at 4 – 4.5 knots. Full genoa, stay sail and first reefed main.
Entered into Gizo lagoon past Kennedy island and weaved between reef, past Nusa Tape. Dropped stay sail before entering Kennedy Island passé.
Sailed in lagoon with full genoa and first reefed main. Had to furl headsail going between reef off of Nusa Tape island (Air strip island) Once through reef passé turned off engine and hoisted full genoa once more and sailed into Gizo. Dropped anchor in 10m out front of fuel dock in NW corner.
14 February
Left Gizo and motored back through the skinny reef pass off Nusa Tape Island. Once clear of the reef passé, unfurled full genoa and turned off the engine. Wind 8 knots S.
Sailed in the lagoon past Fat boys resort on MBanyara Island to a small hook in the reef. Looked good on the satellite image and the chart said a large shoal of 10m depth. When we arrived there was no shoal and had to anchor in 24ms as sun was setting. Just as the sun went down a S Squall hit with winds up to 20 knots. Anchor held strong and not looking forward to trying to lift it up by hand tomorrow.
Sailed in the lagoon past Fat boys resort on MBanyara Island to a small hook in the reef. Looked good on the satellite image and the chart said a large shoal of 10m depth. When we arrived there was no shoal and had to anchor in 24ms as sun was setting. Just as the sun went down a S Squall hit with winds up to 20 knots. Anchor held strong and not looking forward to trying to lift it up by hand tomorrow.
15 February
Wind S 10knots.
Struggled to lift anchor chain and anchor once free. I really need to fix the windlass!!!! Will get deck switch brought over with Mum. Once the anchor was up, set first reefed main and full genoa. Sailing N in lagoon, Navigated up to Nusa Tape Island then gybed to head E out the reef passé. Decided to head 14nms to Liapari since we have good wind. Averaged 4.5 knots with wind just behind beam. With 5nms to go and in middle of passage, squall blew in with winds of up to 25 knots S. Furled headsail so only a small triangle remained. Little bit of rain but did not last long. 10 minutes later, no wind.
Bobbed around for half an hour until decided to motor. Turned on engine but no water coming out the exhaust, checked sea cock and strainer, everything ok. Think Impellor is broken.
Wind picked up 10 knots S. Bonita Handsteered for fun whilst I changed the impellor in the water pump. Completed task just as we reached the enterance into Liapari Lagoon.
Furled headsail and entered through passé under reefed main. Started engine as rounded port mark infront of village. Heading S, dropped main and slowly motored to skinny pass in reef. Well marked with 2 port and 2 starboard markers. VERY shallow enterance and had 2 meters of water. Once clear into the lagoon, very calm and protected. Anchored in 15ms sand bottom. Good hold, water a little murky but a beautiful anchorage.
Struggled to lift anchor chain and anchor once free. I really need to fix the windlass!!!! Will get deck switch brought over with Mum. Once the anchor was up, set first reefed main and full genoa. Sailing N in lagoon, Navigated up to Nusa Tape Island then gybed to head E out the reef passé. Decided to head 14nms to Liapari since we have good wind. Averaged 4.5 knots with wind just behind beam. With 5nms to go and in middle of passage, squall blew in with winds of up to 25 knots S. Furled headsail so only a small triangle remained. Little bit of rain but did not last long. 10 minutes later, no wind.
Bobbed around for half an hour until decided to motor. Turned on engine but no water coming out the exhaust, checked sea cock and strainer, everything ok. Think Impellor is broken.
Wind picked up 10 knots S. Bonita Handsteered for fun whilst I changed the impellor in the water pump. Completed task just as we reached the enterance into Liapari Lagoon.
Furled headsail and entered through passé under reefed main. Started engine as rounded port mark infront of village. Heading S, dropped main and slowly motored to skinny pass in reef. Well marked with 2 port and 2 starboard markers. VERY shallow enterance and had 2 meters of water. Once clear into the lagoon, very calm and protected. Anchored in 15ms sand bottom. Good hold, water a little murky but a beautiful anchorage.
23 February
Left Liapari. High tide and a good thing as the channel is very shallow. Depth sounder alarm goes off at 2m and it was singing. Wind 6 – 9 knots N, smooth seas and sun shining. 0.5m swell from the S in the passage between Liapari and Gizo.
Full main, full genoa and staysail. Wind on the beam averaging 4.5 knots. Beautiful sailing.
Plan is to head to Noro, 25nms away, take it as it comes and decide during the day where to stop if conditions change. Wind eased and decided to stop in Gizo instead. Gybed to reef passé, furled headsail and dropped stay sail. Motored with main through Northern passage into Gizo. Anchored in 12ms in front of fuel place again.
End of February… Got slack and forgot to update the log.
Full main, full genoa and staysail. Wind on the beam averaging 4.5 knots. Beautiful sailing.
Plan is to head to Noro, 25nms away, take it as it comes and decide during the day where to stop if conditions change. Wind eased and decided to stop in Gizo instead. Gybed to reef passé, furled headsail and dropped stay sail. Motored with main through Northern passage into Gizo. Anchored in 12ms in front of fuel place again.
End of February… Got slack and forgot to update the log.
January 2018 - Solomon Islands
5th January
Honiara to Toyko Bay – Rafted up with Fara and Sandpebble
Left Honiara, lots of rain last night and filled the water tanks.
200 Litres of diesel, Added fuel polish to fuel. All fluids are good. Motored for half an hour out of Honiara. Wanted to get away as quick as we could. Full main. Motor sounds really good with second bearing installed. Turned off engine, full main sail, stay sail and genoa. 6 – 8 knots NE course but wind forced us N. Sailed for 3 – 4 hours, average 2.5 – 3 knots.
1400 – Dropped headsail and staysail and motored NE towards anchorage meeting Fara and Sandpebble at Tokyo Bay. Seas glassed out, no wind.
Toykyo Bay is at the end of a long winding channel inland. Motored 2nms up channel and Sand Pebble tendered to meet us to guide us in as light started fading and Fara ran aground coming into the bay. Sandpebble had to save them. Dirty merky water and saw 5m crocodile swimming on the surface. Large mud banks and lots of reef to avoid. Once in Toykyo bay, rafted up onside Fara who was rafted up to Sand pebble.
Fara – 30 foot sailing boat
Sand Pebble – 55 foot motor vessel.
Distance from Toykyo bay 25nms.
Left Honiara, lots of rain last night and filled the water tanks.
200 Litres of diesel, Added fuel polish to fuel. All fluids are good. Motored for half an hour out of Honiara. Wanted to get away as quick as we could. Full main. Motor sounds really good with second bearing installed. Turned off engine, full main sail, stay sail and genoa. 6 – 8 knots NE course but wind forced us N. Sailed for 3 – 4 hours, average 2.5 – 3 knots.
1400 – Dropped headsail and staysail and motored NE towards anchorage meeting Fara and Sandpebble at Tokyo Bay. Seas glassed out, no wind.
Toykyo Bay is at the end of a long winding channel inland. Motored 2nms up channel and Sand Pebble tendered to meet us to guide us in as light started fading and Fara ran aground coming into the bay. Sandpebble had to save them. Dirty merky water and saw 5m crocodile swimming on the surface. Large mud banks and lots of reef to avoid. Once in Toykyo bay, rafted up onside Fara who was rafted up to Sand pebble.
Fara – 30 foot sailing boat
Sand Pebble – 55 foot motor vessel.
Distance from Toykyo bay 25nms.
6 January
Toykyo bay to Siota – Florida Group – Solomon Islands
Motored out of Toykyo Bay and channel, hoisted full main. Headed out around marker and N between islands, skinny channel dividing the two main Florida islands. Around marker, full genoa.
Wind E 10 knots funnelling between the hills. Sailed for 5nms before dropping all sails as we headed into the skinny channel. Channel below 40m wide at one point. Motored 7nms through channel to other side. Anchored in front of school of Siota. 10m sandy sea grass. Good hold. Channel was beautiful with high hills, cliffs and thick jungle either side.
Motored out of Toykyo Bay and channel, hoisted full main. Headed out around marker and N between islands, skinny channel dividing the two main Florida islands. Around marker, full genoa.
Wind E 10 knots funnelling between the hills. Sailed for 5nms before dropping all sails as we headed into the skinny channel. Channel below 40m wide at one point. Motored 7nms through channel to other side. Anchored in front of school of Siota. 10m sandy sea grass. Good hold. Channel was beautiful with high hills, cliffs and thick jungle either side.
7th January
Siota to Dhu Bay – Florida Group – Solomon Islands
Surfed small right hander on reef pass 1 – 2 foot. Nothing special but good to surf again. First one in solomons. Pulled anchor and motored through pass. Full main, Full Genoa wind 10 knots E. Heading NW, beautiful sailing, smooth seas below 0.5m. Averaging 4 knots. Engine hours 3328.2
1430 – Wind dropped out to nothing and smooth glassy ocean. Decided to find anchorage. Motored into Sandfly passage, current 1 knot. Sucked us into passage next to skinny bit of reef. Current clanged direction to 3 – 4 knots for entry into Dhu Bay. Current too strong for Fara and we turned around.
Motored around headland back to the E and anchored in a big bay in front of Sunday beach, E of village. 10m sand bottom. Lots of backwash waves from steep beach. Anchored 150m off of beach.
Landed on beach with tender, Hectic.. Waves suck back off the beach then dump onto sand. Things could have gone wrong very quickly. Possibility of right hander wave on E side of bay. Good peak when we arrived at 1730. Nothing in morning as swell backed off.
Surfed small right hander on reef pass 1 – 2 foot. Nothing special but good to surf again. First one in solomons. Pulled anchor and motored through pass. Full main, Full Genoa wind 10 knots E. Heading NW, beautiful sailing, smooth seas below 0.5m. Averaging 4 knots. Engine hours 3328.2
1430 – Wind dropped out to nothing and smooth glassy ocean. Decided to find anchorage. Motored into Sandfly passage, current 1 knot. Sucked us into passage next to skinny bit of reef. Current clanged direction to 3 – 4 knots for entry into Dhu Bay. Current too strong for Fara and we turned around.
Motored around headland back to the E and anchored in a big bay in front of Sunday beach, E of village. 10m sand bottom. Lots of backwash waves from steep beach. Anchored 150m off of beach.
Landed on beach with tender, Hectic.. Waves suck back off the beach then dump onto sand. Things could have gone wrong very quickly. Possibility of right hander wave on E side of bay. Good peak when we arrived at 1730. Nothing in morning as swell backed off.
8th January
Dhu Bay – Near Tua Tua Island, Florida Group – SolomonIslands
Motored out of bay, Set full main, Staysail and Genoa. Wind 6 – 9 knots NE. Smooth seas. Averaging 4 knots, very impressed with Nandji. NW course to avoid reef on port side. Heading towards Buena Vista Island on the W coast.
Engine hours 3328.2 hours.
Fuel dip – 150 litres.
1700 – Wind disappeared and ocean turned to a mirror. Motored final 5nms into anchorage. Anchored in bay past Tua Tua Island in front of small village. 30m off land surrounded by jungle and mangroves. Village used to be an Eco resort. Anchored 14m reef bottom, very calm bay. Fara rafted up on our port side.
Motored out of bay, Set full main, Staysail and Genoa. Wind 6 – 9 knots NE. Smooth seas. Averaging 4 knots, very impressed with Nandji. NW course to avoid reef on port side. Heading towards Buena Vista Island on the W coast.
Engine hours 3328.2 hours.
Fuel dip – 150 litres.
1700 – Wind disappeared and ocean turned to a mirror. Motored final 5nms into anchorage. Anchored in bay past Tua Tua Island in front of small village. 30m off land surrounded by jungle and mangroves. Village used to be an Eco resort. Anchored 14m reef bottom, very calm bay. Fara rafted up on our port side.
9th January
Florida Group to Russell Group – Solomon Islands.
Surfed small left at Tua Tua island and Sambani islands. Maybe okay on big swell.
1700 – Pulled anchor and motored out of anchorage on course to Russell Islands. Set Full main and Genoa. Wind 5 – 8 knots E. Got hit by a squall from W – NW and had winds 15 knots. Reefed down main to first reef. Squall wind lasted 30 minutes then changed back to the E 6 – 10 knots.
2300 – Wind eased 5 – 8 knots E. On a W – SW course. First reef main, full genoa, averaging 2 – 2.5 knots.
Surfed small left at Tua Tua island and Sambani islands. Maybe okay on big swell.
1700 – Pulled anchor and motored out of anchorage on course to Russell Islands. Set Full main and Genoa. Wind 5 – 8 knots E. Got hit by a squall from W – NW and had winds 15 knots. Reefed down main to first reef. Squall wind lasted 30 minutes then changed back to the E 6 – 10 knots.
2300 – Wind eased 5 – 8 knots E. On a W – SW course. First reef main, full genoa, averaging 2 – 2.5 knots.
10th January
Fuel dip – 133 litres
Engine hours – 3328.6 hours.
Should have left anchorage yesterday as planned. Had little sleep as the anchor alarm went off 5 times. Had a squall from the NW at around 3am, luckily winds were not strong and did not push us towards the reef. Difficult to raise the anchor, need to get a new windlass ASAP!!
Wind 8 -10 knots E, sailing under genoa only. 10nms to small Leatoaghea island. The furthest SE island of the Russell group. Satellite images show possible lagoon anchorage, unsurveyed and uninhabited.
Could not enter the lagoon but would be rolly in there as swell from both sides of island wrap in.
Anchored in big sandy hole, 9ms, Low lying coral around perimeter of anchorage. Sandy hole shoals down into deep water. Anchored In hole, in the middle of the coral where it drops away. Perfect anchorage. No swell and not rolly at all. Crystal clear water. Can see anchor and chain from bow.
Surfed little right hander on E side of island. Could get good possibly with a S swell. A peak that breaks down the reef. Quite fast but good shape when small. 1 – 2 foot.
Engine hours – 3328.6 hours.
Should have left anchorage yesterday as planned. Had little sleep as the anchor alarm went off 5 times. Had a squall from the NW at around 3am, luckily winds were not strong and did not push us towards the reef. Difficult to raise the anchor, need to get a new windlass ASAP!!
Wind 8 -10 knots E, sailing under genoa only. 10nms to small Leatoaghea island. The furthest SE island of the Russell group. Satellite images show possible lagoon anchorage, unsurveyed and uninhabited.
Could not enter the lagoon but would be rolly in there as swell from both sides of island wrap in.
Anchored in big sandy hole, 9ms, Low lying coral around perimeter of anchorage. Sandy hole shoals down into deep water. Anchored In hole, in the middle of the coral where it drops away. Perfect anchorage. No swell and not rolly at all. Crystal clear water. Can see anchor and chain from bow.
Surfed little right hander on E side of island. Could get good possibly with a S swell. A peak that breaks down the reef. Quite fast but good shape when small. 1 – 2 foot.
12th January
0200 – Big lightening and thunder storm on starboard side. Wind E 8 knots and heading SW. Storm appears to be coming closer so changed course S to try and run away from lightening.
0500 – Storm seems to have passed behind us and only had a few lightening strikes close to us. Most were left astern of our position. Altered course more W – SW.
Wind E 10 knots at day break. Decided to aim for Lologhan Island since we headed so far south. Hoisted stay sail under full genoa. Still first reefed main. Averaging 4.5 – 5 knots.
1030 – 5nms off Lologhan Island. Cruising guide said beautiful island but cannot access the lagoon. Therefore need to anchor on the outside in deep water. Will read guide again to determine if we stop or continue onto next island, a further 11nms W – SW. Difficult to find anchorage along reef edge. Needed to snorkel along reefs edge to locate shoal where to drop anchor. Anchored in sandy hole amongst reef. 25m. Very little swing room if wind changes to NW. Expecting E winds for following days though. Fara rafted up on our starboard side.
Beautiful anchorage but not very happy with our anchor position. I dived on the anchor and wrapped the chain around the base of a bombie for extra holding strength. Not going to be fun hand pulling up the anchor.
0500 – Storm seems to have passed behind us and only had a few lightening strikes close to us. Most were left astern of our position. Altered course more W – SW.
Wind E 10 knots at day break. Decided to aim for Lologhan Island since we headed so far south. Hoisted stay sail under full genoa. Still first reefed main. Averaging 4.5 – 5 knots.
1030 – 5nms off Lologhan Island. Cruising guide said beautiful island but cannot access the lagoon. Therefore need to anchor on the outside in deep water. Will read guide again to determine if we stop or continue onto next island, a further 11nms W – SW. Difficult to find anchorage along reef edge. Needed to snorkel along reefs edge to locate shoal where to drop anchor. Anchored in sandy hole amongst reef. 25m. Very little swing room if wind changes to NW. Expecting E winds for following days though. Fara rafted up on our starboard side.
Beautiful anchorage but not very happy with our anchor position. I dived on the anchor and wrapped the chain around the base of a bombie for extra holding strength. Not going to be fun hand pulling up the anchor.
14th January
Momoluen Island – Russell Group
Building E wind all morning so packed up ready for passage to Western Province.
Set sail under full genoa only, heading W, dead downwind. Half an hour later wind dropped to nothing and then hit by a W squall, 15 knots. Changed course S – SE, winds slowly eased after 1 hour. Furled headsail and motored into a new anchorage instead of continuing on.
Wind below 5 knots W and dropping.
Anchored in 11m sandy hole that I spotted on google maps. Big sandy hole surrounded by reef. Just on the inside of a small right wave that is point break material. I have named the wave, potentials! Surfed it at 1 foot. Easy take off and pump down the line to inside where it gets shallower and a round shape at this small size. Fast down the line and with size I reckon it would be a good barrel. That is why I called it potentials.
Anchorge is small bay off Momoluon Island near channel between bigger Alokan Island. The Southern islands of the Russell group.
Building E wind all morning so packed up ready for passage to Western Province.
Set sail under full genoa only, heading W, dead downwind. Half an hour later wind dropped to nothing and then hit by a W squall, 15 knots. Changed course S – SE, winds slowly eased after 1 hour. Furled headsail and motored into a new anchorage instead of continuing on.
Wind below 5 knots W and dropping.
Anchored in 11m sandy hole that I spotted on google maps. Big sandy hole surrounded by reef. Just on the inside of a small right wave that is point break material. I have named the wave, potentials! Surfed it at 1 foot. Easy take off and pump down the line to inside where it gets shallower and a round shape at this small size. Fast down the line and with size I reckon it would be a good barrel. That is why I called it potentials.
Anchorge is small bay off Momoluon Island near channel between bigger Alokan Island. The Southern islands of the Russell group.
15th January
E winds 10 knots blowing as we woke, as forecasted. Quickly packed everything up and set off on 60nm sail to Western Province. Will probably arrive in dark but good to get a start with wind. Wind consistent 8 – 10 knots E, Seas smooth below 0.5m with few white caps. Heading 300 degree T – W/NW at .5 knots.
Wind tended more SE wrapping Russell Island group. Once we reached the middle of group, no wind. Islands blocking the E. Motored for 20 minutes W until a squall came with 15 – 18 knots E – NE.
Sailed for 20 minutes reaching 7 knots, reefed headsail and full main.
Second squall from same direction E – NE 15 – 18 knots, seas now confused with N swell and SE swell. Choppy 1m with lots of white caps with the wind.
Sailed up to 7 knots again but did not last long, 30 minutes.
Squall cleared and ocean still confused <5 knots Wind SE. Slowly ocean becoming smoother. Motoring with full main at 300 degrees T W-NW once more.
Before first squall saw a large whirly wind over the water chasing us down. We changed course N to avoid it from crossing our path.
Fuel Dip – 138 litres.
Seas steadily changed to a following E direction around 1m. Wind 8 – 11 knots E.
Dropped main at dusk to slow us down as only 35nms to Mbili pass and on anchorage. Sailed into the night, full genoa, 2.5 – 3 knots.
Wind tended more SE wrapping Russell Island group. Once we reached the middle of group, no wind. Islands blocking the E. Motored for 20 minutes W until a squall came with 15 – 18 knots E – NE.
Sailed for 20 minutes reaching 7 knots, reefed headsail and full main.
Second squall from same direction E – NE 15 – 18 knots, seas now confused with N swell and SE swell. Choppy 1m with lots of white caps with the wind.
Sailed up to 7 knots again but did not last long, 30 minutes.
Squall cleared and ocean still confused <5 knots Wind SE. Slowly ocean becoming smoother. Motoring with full main at 300 degrees T W-NW once more.
Before first squall saw a large whirly wind over the water chasing us down. We changed course N to avoid it from crossing our path.
Fuel Dip – 138 litres.
Seas steadily changed to a following E direction around 1m. Wind 8 – 11 knots E.
Dropped main at dusk to slow us down as only 35nms to Mbili pass and on anchorage. Sailed into the night, full genoa, 2.5 – 3 knots.
16th January
Very uneventful night, sailed all night under genoa only averaging 2.5 – 3 knots. Wind E 8 – 12 knots all night with following seas. Arrived at enterance just after sunrise. Squall off to starboard. Motored into pass. Strong current through pass and is well marked. Starboard and port marker on enterance. Anchored behind a small island. Fara and Sandpebble in anchorage. 7m sand/ coral bottom.
19th January
Marovo Lagoon – Western Province – Solomon Islands
Wind E – NE 10 knots. Sailed inside Marovo lagoon navigating between reefs. Needed to motor at times because of wind direction. Travelled 15nms to Southern hook of Pure pure Island. Anchored in 6m sand bottom.
Wind E – NE 10 knots. Sailed inside Marovo lagoon navigating between reefs. Needed to motor at times because of wind direction. Travelled 15nms to Southern hook of Pure pure Island. Anchored in 6m sand bottom.
20th January
Picked up anchor around 0800 and hoisted full main. Needed to go aloft in rigging to navigate our way back across the reef. Once across the reef and into the channel, unfurled reefed headsail. Wind NE 8 – 13 knots smooth calm waters In lagoon. Increasing current flowing in our favour through channel. Navigating with satellite images only and Ovital app.
Heading W through skinny channel and out Kokana passage. Channel got quite skinny at times but NE wind was good direction at 120 degrees on our quarter. Cruised along at 3.5 knots.
Tide had changed by time we reached pass and sucked us out. Good thing as once in the middle of pass and in the lee of island wind was 0.
Once clear of pass and into open water, headed on a course W – NW 300 degrees T and entered into Charapond passage to Uepi resort.
Passage had strong ebbing current and was difficult to navigate as I had not downloaded detailed satellite images, not expecting to come here when we had reception.
Resort staff took a banana boat out and guided us through the channel. We passed over the reef 5m deep and into anchorage. Sand Pebble and Fara both anchored in here. Anchored 8m sandy/reefy bottom. Dived on anchor and shoved anchor into a sandy hole. Lots of rocky reef. Fara ran aground coming in through the passage, taking antifoul off back to fibreglass.
Heading W through skinny channel and out Kokana passage. Channel got quite skinny at times but NE wind was good direction at 120 degrees on our quarter. Cruised along at 3.5 knots.
Tide had changed by time we reached pass and sucked us out. Good thing as once in the middle of pass and in the lee of island wind was 0.
Once clear of pass and into open water, headed on a course W – NW 300 degrees T and entered into Charapond passage to Uepi resort.
Passage had strong ebbing current and was difficult to navigate as I had not downloaded detailed satellite images, not expecting to come here when we had reception.
Resort staff took a banana boat out and guided us through the channel. We passed over the reef 5m deep and into anchorage. Sand Pebble and Fara both anchored in here. Anchored 8m sandy/reefy bottom. Dived on anchor and shoved anchor into a sandy hole. Lots of rocky reef. Fara ran aground coming in through the passage, taking antifoul off back to fibreglass.
21st January
Fuel dip – 110 litres
Engine hours – 3328.7 hours
Cloudy, stormy conditions at day break. Preparing Nandji for an overnight passage to Noro 80nms away. Wind S – SE 10 knots with gusts up to 15.
Had a few showers already this morning and can see others around. Plan to depart round midday for favourable current through pass. Wind eased in the lagoon by the time we picked up the anchor at midday. S < 10 knots.
Motored through pass and once out the otherside, in the lee of the land, wind was below 5 knots SE. Motored with reefed main N for 3nms to find wind away from land.
Full genoa, reefed main. Wind E – SE 8 -10 knots. Smooth white capping seas. Dark clouds ahead and looks as though sailing into a storm….
Engine hours – 3328.7 hours
Cloudy, stormy conditions at day break. Preparing Nandji for an overnight passage to Noro 80nms away. Wind S – SE 10 knots with gusts up to 15.
Had a few showers already this morning and can see others around. Plan to depart round midday for favourable current through pass. Wind eased in the lagoon by the time we picked up the anchor at midday. S < 10 knots.
Motored through pass and once out the otherside, in the lee of the land, wind was below 5 knots SE. Motored with reefed main N for 3nms to find wind away from land.
Full genoa, reefed main. Wind E – SE 8 -10 knots. Smooth white capping seas. Dark clouds ahead and looks as though sailing into a storm….
December 2017 - Vanuatu to Santa Cruz Islands & Honiara, Solomon Islands
December 2nd, Saturday
Palikulo Bay, Santo Island, Vanuatu, heading to Ndendo Island, Solomon Islands
Checked all fluids – oil, gearbox, steering hydraulic, heat exchanger – put a little in the head exchanger, all others are good!
Tightened up the stuffing box connection on drive shaft. Made minor adjustment with engine alignment. Sharft is not perfectly aligned, however engine mounts are all tight but engine is bouncing, vibrating a little. Even at idle, shaft is vibrating. Need to align with feeler gauges to know it is perfect. Hopefully we will find someone with feeler gauges in Honiara.
Motored out of the anchorage, winds below 5 knots variable. Motored at 1700RPM averaging 3.8knots. Hoisted full main and motored N up Santo Coast. Finally wind 7 – 10 knots SE @ 1400. Full main and full headsail averaging 4 knots heading N. Seas calm below 1m. Small 1m swell, n a run at 120 degrees. Hydrovane in 1st gear. Handling the steering well and staying on course. Engine hours @ 1630 – 3299.6 hours. Wind went direct S dropped main and polled out headsail at dusk. Wind 7 – 10 knots.
Full moon so hoisted second headsail. Sailed in this combo for 3 hours, wind slowly shifted more SE – E so our course slowly turned more NW. It takes 15minutes exactly to set up double headsail. Dropped second headsail and hoisted full main, adjusting course N. Wind gently increasing 8 – 13 knots SE. Changed Hydrovane to second gear, wind was above 10 knots. Around 2am wind had shifted E. 15 – 20 knots. Now beam reaching, reefed headsail and averaged 6.5 knots until sunrise. Seas 1m. Wind totally dropped out for half an hour and we steadily drifted. Wind instantly started blowing again 15 -20 knots E. Sailed 6nm in 24 hours.
Checked all fluids – oil, gearbox, steering hydraulic, heat exchanger – put a little in the head exchanger, all others are good!
Tightened up the stuffing box connection on drive shaft. Made minor adjustment with engine alignment. Sharft is not perfectly aligned, however engine mounts are all tight but engine is bouncing, vibrating a little. Even at idle, shaft is vibrating. Need to align with feeler gauges to know it is perfect. Hopefully we will find someone with feeler gauges in Honiara.
Motored out of the anchorage, winds below 5 knots variable. Motored at 1700RPM averaging 3.8knots. Hoisted full main and motored N up Santo Coast. Finally wind 7 – 10 knots SE @ 1400. Full main and full headsail averaging 4 knots heading N. Seas calm below 1m. Small 1m swell, n a run at 120 degrees. Hydrovane in 1st gear. Handling the steering well and staying on course. Engine hours @ 1630 – 3299.6 hours. Wind went direct S dropped main and polled out headsail at dusk. Wind 7 – 10 knots.
Full moon so hoisted second headsail. Sailed in this combo for 3 hours, wind slowly shifted more SE – E so our course slowly turned more NW. It takes 15minutes exactly to set up double headsail. Dropped second headsail and hoisted full main, adjusting course N. Wind gently increasing 8 – 13 knots SE. Changed Hydrovane to second gear, wind was above 10 knots. Around 2am wind had shifted E. 15 – 20 knots. Now beam reaching, reefed headsail and averaged 6.5 knots until sunrise. Seas 1m. Wind totally dropped out for half an hour and we steadily drifted. Wind instantly started blowing again 15 -20 knots E. Sailed 6nm in 24 hours.
Sunday 3rd December
Santo Island, Vanuatu, heading to Ndendo Island, Solomon Islands Day 2
After 1 hour of beam reaching seas changed to 1.5m adjusted course NW to
compensate for swell. Vanua Lava is 6nm on our Starboard side. Decided to reef main to first reef and headsail. 1 hour later seas dropped below 1m and wind disappeared. Motoring with reefed main at 1000 doing 4 knots. 130nm to first island of Santa Cruz group, Solomon Islands. Ureparapara is 6nms NE of our current location. 13.43.405 S 167.12.768 E
Will continue to motor and hope winds increase when out of lee of Vanua Lava. N winds predicted on Tuesday.
Fuel Dip – 115 litres.
Lazy jacks on both sides are broken. Damn flapping sail. Need to replace with braided rope of something that can deal with the sun better.
Motor turned off after half an hour of motoring. Wind 10 knots E, blowing between Vanua lava and Ureparapara, Hopefully Lee of Parapara is not blocked of wind. Current course N – NW (COG 330 degrees) passing Ureparapara around 3nm on starboard. Wind constant 10 – 13 knots E. Beam reaching first reefed main, full headsail 1100. Had to motor for 20min through the calm weather on the lee side of Ureparapara. We are cruising along at 6.5 knots then instantly 1.5knots. Wind 10 – 13 knots E, Seas below 1m, swell 1m.
Hydrovane setting on 2 and holding a good course. NW COG 330 degrees.
Wind steadily decreased but stayed constant at 7 – 9 knots E. Around midnight wind disappeared for half and hour and returned at 7 – 10 knots E – NE. Lost the biggest fight with a Yellowfin tuna. Took me an hour to get it to the boat, another half an hour trying to get it on trace and gaf. Then wrapped itself on the hydrovane rudder and snapped 80 pound braid.
After 1 hour of beam reaching seas changed to 1.5m adjusted course NW to
compensate for swell. Vanua Lava is 6nm on our Starboard side. Decided to reef main to first reef and headsail. 1 hour later seas dropped below 1m and wind disappeared. Motoring with reefed main at 1000 doing 4 knots. 130nm to first island of Santa Cruz group, Solomon Islands. Ureparapara is 6nms NE of our current location. 13.43.405 S 167.12.768 E
Will continue to motor and hope winds increase when out of lee of Vanua Lava. N winds predicted on Tuesday.
Fuel Dip – 115 litres.
Lazy jacks on both sides are broken. Damn flapping sail. Need to replace with braided rope of something that can deal with the sun better.
Motor turned off after half an hour of motoring. Wind 10 knots E, blowing between Vanua lava and Ureparapara, Hopefully Lee of Parapara is not blocked of wind. Current course N – NW (COG 330 degrees) passing Ureparapara around 3nm on starboard. Wind constant 10 – 13 knots E. Beam reaching first reefed main, full headsail 1100. Had to motor for 20min through the calm weather on the lee side of Ureparapara. We are cruising along at 6.5 knots then instantly 1.5knots. Wind 10 – 13 knots E, Seas below 1m, swell 1m.
Hydrovane setting on 2 and holding a good course. NW COG 330 degrees.
Wind steadily decreased but stayed constant at 7 – 9 knots E. Around midnight wind disappeared for half and hour and returned at 7 – 10 knots E – NE. Lost the biggest fight with a Yellowfin tuna. Took me an hour to get it to the boat, another half an hour trying to get it on trace and gaf. Then wrapped itself on the hydrovane rudder and snapped 80 pound braid.
Monday 4th December
Santo Island, Vanuatu, heading to Ndendo Island, Solomon Islands Day 3
0700 – Roughly 50nms to arrive at Vanikolo, the southern most island of the Santa Cruz group. Northerly winds expected tonight/tomorrow so will probably hide out there. Cannot check in at this island, Still a further 50nms to Ndendo Island which is a port of entry. Wind from midnight 6 – 9 knots E – NE. Smooth seas. Very pleasant night of sailing. Full moon. Hoisted stay sail at 1am and sailed full Genoa, staysail and 1st reefed main all night.
0900 – Wind E – SE 10 knots average boat speed 5 knots.
Sailed all day as cutter and 1st reef. Dropped staysail at 1400. Remained on course towards Vanikolo, estimated time of arrival 1700. All deep anchorages so decided to continue towards Ndendo Island, 100nms to go. Wind finally shifted from SE to E – NE as predicted. Now 15 knots E – NE with a building 1m following sea. Reefed headsail and first reef main. Quite squally conditions all afternoon with patches of rain and strong wind. 15 – 20 knots before the rain.
1700 – Clouds semi clearing now and heading into the night. Full genoa and 1st reefed main. Wind E 8 – 10 knots. Vanikolo Island off our starboard side about 6nms away.
2330 – Hit by a squall from opposite direction, windvane changed our course, turned us around. This was a good thing and always kept the wind behind us. Quickly furled the headsail and ran off in a SW direction for 20min. Wind then increased again and dropped out completely. Heavy rain.
0700 – Roughly 50nms to arrive at Vanikolo, the southern most island of the Santa Cruz group. Northerly winds expected tonight/tomorrow so will probably hide out there. Cannot check in at this island, Still a further 50nms to Ndendo Island which is a port of entry. Wind from midnight 6 – 9 knots E – NE. Smooth seas. Very pleasant night of sailing. Full moon. Hoisted stay sail at 1am and sailed full Genoa, staysail and 1st reefed main all night.
0900 – Wind E – SE 10 knots average boat speed 5 knots.
Sailed all day as cutter and 1st reef. Dropped staysail at 1400. Remained on course towards Vanikolo, estimated time of arrival 1700. All deep anchorages so decided to continue towards Ndendo Island, 100nms to go. Wind finally shifted from SE to E – NE as predicted. Now 15 knots E – NE with a building 1m following sea. Reefed headsail and first reef main. Quite squally conditions all afternoon with patches of rain and strong wind. 15 – 20 knots before the rain.
1700 – Clouds semi clearing now and heading into the night. Full genoa and 1st reefed main. Wind E 8 – 10 knots. Vanikolo Island off our starboard side about 6nms away.
2330 – Hit by a squall from opposite direction, windvane changed our course, turned us around. This was a good thing and always kept the wind behind us. Quickly furled the headsail and ran off in a SW direction for 20min. Wind then increased again and dropped out completely. Heavy rain.
Tuesday 5th December
Santo Island, Vanuatu, heading to Ndendo Island, Solomon Islands Day 4
Squally conditions all night and into the morning. Patches of heavy rain all night. Reefed headsail and first reefed main all morning. By sunrise the wind was a gentle 10 knots SE. Expecting wind change to NE by afternoon so kept on a course N. All day battled with squalls. Visibility below 1nm. Heavy patches of rain at times and winds from all directions. Tacked and gybed at least 25 times throughout the day with constant wind changes. Many patches of no wind.
Strong winds before squalls then followed by heavy rain then usually followed with NE winds. Wind would then begin from either E to SE to S direction.
Heavy rainsquall at 1500 then followed by no wind for half an hour, then the predicted NE begun at 15 knots. Changed course to W – NW and wind remained for the rest of the afternoon.
Sailed around the SW tip of Ndendo Island and up the west coast. Rounding the headland half way and the NE wind 15 – 20 knots was now right on the nose. Heading out to sea on a port tack back in towards land on a starboard tack was not 90 degrees to our previous tack. Arriving 1.5nms south of west passage enterance. Time 1630.
Motored with reefed main close to land and towards west passge. A skinny channel through reef between Malo Island and Ndendo Island. Current in passage 1 – 3 knots at times. Could see eddies, overfalls and rapids. Had to accelerate and turn a lot baiting the water movement.
Reached town Lata wharf at 1700. A concrete structure with rio poking out and a sunken/ destroyed 80 foot motor vessel on one side. Wind 15 knots NE blowing onto wharf. At least 50 people came out, women, men and children to watch. We got close and threw our lines out to them to help. Nowhere to tie off except to bits of rio poking out from the concrete wharf. Lucky the customs bloke came out and said we could anchor across the other side of the bay. Gracious bay is over 100ms deep and a bay at Shaw point Is where to anchor. Arrived in the dark and slowly edged close into the protection from small headland, surrounded by reef. Dropped anchor in 28m, good hold. Not sure how we are going to pick it up…
Squally conditions all night and into the morning. Patches of heavy rain all night. Reefed headsail and first reefed main all morning. By sunrise the wind was a gentle 10 knots SE. Expecting wind change to NE by afternoon so kept on a course N. All day battled with squalls. Visibility below 1nm. Heavy patches of rain at times and winds from all directions. Tacked and gybed at least 25 times throughout the day with constant wind changes. Many patches of no wind.
Strong winds before squalls then followed by heavy rain then usually followed with NE winds. Wind would then begin from either E to SE to S direction.
Heavy rainsquall at 1500 then followed by no wind for half an hour, then the predicted NE begun at 15 knots. Changed course to W – NW and wind remained for the rest of the afternoon.
Sailed around the SW tip of Ndendo Island and up the west coast. Rounding the headland half way and the NE wind 15 – 20 knots was now right on the nose. Heading out to sea on a port tack back in towards land on a starboard tack was not 90 degrees to our previous tack. Arriving 1.5nms south of west passage enterance. Time 1630.
Motored with reefed main close to land and towards west passge. A skinny channel through reef between Malo Island and Ndendo Island. Current in passage 1 – 3 knots at times. Could see eddies, overfalls and rapids. Had to accelerate and turn a lot baiting the water movement.
Reached town Lata wharf at 1700. A concrete structure with rio poking out and a sunken/ destroyed 80 foot motor vessel on one side. Wind 15 knots NE blowing onto wharf. At least 50 people came out, women, men and children to watch. We got close and threw our lines out to them to help. Nowhere to tie off except to bits of rio poking out from the concrete wharf. Lucky the customs bloke came out and said we could anchor across the other side of the bay. Gracious bay is over 100ms deep and a bay at Shaw point Is where to anchor. Arrived in the dark and slowly edged close into the protection from small headland, surrounded by reef. Dropped anchor in 28m, good hold. Not sure how we are going to pick it up…
Wednesday 6th December
Ndendo Island, Santa Cruz, Solomon Islands – heading to Honiara Day 5
Moved to the south end of Gracious bay, Ndendo so customs could board. Engine check resulted in finding a diesel leak behind secondary fuel filter. The outlet from filter to injection pump connection had been threaded. Removed piping, cleaned, threaded and sanded thread on engine. Sprayed with Inox, placed new O-ring at the back of the connection and used thread tape on engine side. Can tighten thread and no more fuel leak.. for now…..
MUST PAY ATTENTION TO THIS
Dropped anchor in 22m Approx 50nms from edge of reef. Very open to N Wind.
Moved to the south end of Gracious bay, Ndendo so customs could board. Engine check resulted in finding a diesel leak behind secondary fuel filter. The outlet from filter to injection pump connection had been threaded. Removed piping, cleaned, threaded and sanded thread on engine. Sprayed with Inox, placed new O-ring at the back of the connection and used thread tape on engine side. Can tighten thread and no more fuel leak.. for now…..
MUST PAY ATTENTION TO THIS
Dropped anchor in 22m Approx 50nms from edge of reef. Very open to N Wind.
Thursday 7th December
Customs at Ndendo, Santa Cruz
Customs came aboard. 2 women who searched in every hole and crevice on Nandji. It took them 1.5 hours of opening every cupboard and container on-board. Tried to take bottles of alcohol for personal consumption. They were accompanied by two police officers and another lady who I think just wanted to go on a yacht. They asked Bonita for various items which she didn't have, one was New Idea magazines. She asked for her email address and said she will send her postal address so Bonita can post them to her when she returns to Australia??? Cleaned out bilge and appears previous fuel leak was worse than expected, lots of diesel in the bilge. Fuel tank dip 50 litres.
Filtered two jerry cans from the deck, added 35 litres. Total fuel in tank 85 litres.
Winds forcast is light, hopefully one prediction is correct with E winds for tomorrow.
Current wind at 1630, 7 – 10 knots NE. Packed up the boat ready to leave. Think we will leave early morning … or maybe now…
Customs came aboard. 2 women who searched in every hole and crevice on Nandji. It took them 1.5 hours of opening every cupboard and container on-board. Tried to take bottles of alcohol for personal consumption. They were accompanied by two police officers and another lady who I think just wanted to go on a yacht. They asked Bonita for various items which she didn't have, one was New Idea magazines. She asked for her email address and said she will send her postal address so Bonita can post them to her when she returns to Australia??? Cleaned out bilge and appears previous fuel leak was worse than expected, lots of diesel in the bilge. Fuel tank dip 50 litres.
Filtered two jerry cans from the deck, added 35 litres. Total fuel in tank 85 litres.
Winds forcast is light, hopefully one prediction is correct with E winds for tomorrow.
Current wind at 1630, 7 – 10 knots NE. Packed up the boat ready to leave. Think we will leave early morning … or maybe now…
Friday 8th December
Departing Ndendo Island heading to Honiara, Solomon Islands - Day 1
Motored with full main out of Gracious bay. Wind variable below 5 knots and glassy, smooth seas. Hopefully find wind out at sea. Sailed through a rainbow. 230nm to San Cristobal Island and around 380nm to Honiara, our destination.
Could not get money out of Ndendo and therefore could not get more diesel. The leak the other day has left us with only 82 litres and a few days to get to Honiara to sort Marley out. Expecting light winds for the following few days so a lot of bobing around I think…
Engine check this morning leak fixed from the other day and no sign of diesel however found another minor leak from the lift pump. One drop every minute or so, tightened flange bolts but think a new gasket is needed.
0815 – Engine hours 3318.9 hours
Motored for 1.5 hours out of the bay 7nm at 1700 RPM.
Fuel dip – 75 litres
Smooth seas no wind, time to bob around…
Motored out of the bay and drifted with no wind, glassy seas for 2 hours. Downloaded another weather report and decided we had to get diesel as only light days ahead and 400nms to Honiara…. We need to get there as soon as we can. Motor sailed back to Gracious bay, squall in the bay and 15 knots. Anchored at Shaw point in 15m. Took tender 2nm across the bay to wharf to try and get money out. Bank does not do money exchange, one eftpos did not recognise card and the other eftpos network was down. Bonita suggested we sell our alcohol to the customs/police officers who were so interested in them during our boat search. Sold 2 bottles of spirits to police officers for $700 Solomon Dollars, got 54 litres of diesel.
Motored out of the bay once again in the afternoon, Hoisted full main and full Genoa, turned the damn motor off. Wind S 5 – 8 knots, smooth seas. Sailed all night with this combo, winds turned E by morning. Heading in a W – SW course.
Motored with full main out of Gracious bay. Wind variable below 5 knots and glassy, smooth seas. Hopefully find wind out at sea. Sailed through a rainbow. 230nm to San Cristobal Island and around 380nm to Honiara, our destination.
Could not get money out of Ndendo and therefore could not get more diesel. The leak the other day has left us with only 82 litres and a few days to get to Honiara to sort Marley out. Expecting light winds for the following few days so a lot of bobing around I think…
Engine check this morning leak fixed from the other day and no sign of diesel however found another minor leak from the lift pump. One drop every minute or so, tightened flange bolts but think a new gasket is needed.
0815 – Engine hours 3318.9 hours
Motored for 1.5 hours out of the bay 7nm at 1700 RPM.
Fuel dip – 75 litres
Smooth seas no wind, time to bob around…
Motored out of the bay and drifted with no wind, glassy seas for 2 hours. Downloaded another weather report and decided we had to get diesel as only light days ahead and 400nms to Honiara…. We need to get there as soon as we can. Motor sailed back to Gracious bay, squall in the bay and 15 knots. Anchored at Shaw point in 15m. Took tender 2nm across the bay to wharf to try and get money out. Bank does not do money exchange, one eftpos did not recognise card and the other eftpos network was down. Bonita suggested we sell our alcohol to the customs/police officers who were so interested in them during our boat search. Sold 2 bottles of spirits to police officers for $700 Solomon Dollars, got 54 litres of diesel.
Motored out of the bay once again in the afternoon, Hoisted full main and full Genoa, turned the damn motor off. Wind S 5 – 8 knots, smooth seas. Sailed all night with this combo, winds turned E by morning. Heading in a W – SW course.
Saturday 9th December 17
Ndendo Island, Santa Cruz, Solomon Islands – heading to Honiara Day 2
Smooth seas, Wind 4 – 6 Knots E
0830 – Full main and genoa, changed sail combo to poled out headsail and dropped the main hoping to go double headsail, wind too light and poled out headsail flapped, returned sails to full main and genoa.
1430 – Light winds all day so far. Have had to gybe a couple of times because of squalls and wind changes.. smooth seas, hot sunshine.
Since leaving Ndendo Island nearly 24 hours ago, we have sailed 40nms… sigh.
Fuel dip – 118 litres.
Light winds predicted for the next 4 days.. Possibly more wind south of our current position. Will motor for a couple of hours now and see what happens.
Started engine at 1425, travelling at 4.9 – 5.2 knots
Fuel dip after 1 hour of motoring 112 Litres = 4 litres per hour
Roughly 150nm we can travel on this tank to empty.
Motored for an hour into the dark, hoping to catch a fish, Nothing.
Still no wind, under 5 knots variable. Glassy ocean.
Engine hours 3236.3 hours. Dropped main and left out 1/3 of headsail to see when wind arrives. Skys looked very squally and did not want to get bashed, its pitch black with a full main up. 2 hours after dark we were hit by a big squall. Rode the winds for an hour – wind 18 – 23 knots, Lightning and rain.
Wind dropped to nothing then an hour later another big squall from N – NW. Wind increased 20 – 25 knots and steadily dropped to under 10 knots after an hour. Wind settled to a 7 – 10 knot E, sailed with full headsail only until moon came up at 1230.
Smooth seas, Wind 4 – 6 Knots E
0830 – Full main and genoa, changed sail combo to poled out headsail and dropped the main hoping to go double headsail, wind too light and poled out headsail flapped, returned sails to full main and genoa.
1430 – Light winds all day so far. Have had to gybe a couple of times because of squalls and wind changes.. smooth seas, hot sunshine.
Since leaving Ndendo Island nearly 24 hours ago, we have sailed 40nms… sigh.
Fuel dip – 118 litres.
Light winds predicted for the next 4 days.. Possibly more wind south of our current position. Will motor for a couple of hours now and see what happens.
Started engine at 1425, travelling at 4.9 – 5.2 knots
Fuel dip after 1 hour of motoring 112 Litres = 4 litres per hour
Roughly 150nm we can travel on this tank to empty.
Motored for an hour into the dark, hoping to catch a fish, Nothing.
Still no wind, under 5 knots variable. Glassy ocean.
Engine hours 3236.3 hours. Dropped main and left out 1/3 of headsail to see when wind arrives. Skys looked very squally and did not want to get bashed, its pitch black with a full main up. 2 hours after dark we were hit by a big squall. Rode the winds for an hour – wind 18 – 23 knots, Lightning and rain.
Wind dropped to nothing then an hour later another big squall from N – NW. Wind increased 20 – 25 knots and steadily dropped to under 10 knots after an hour. Wind settled to a 7 – 10 knot E, sailed with full headsail only until moon came up at 1230.
December 10th
Ndendo Island, Santa Cruz to San Cristobal Island – heading to Honiara Day 3
Hoisted full main at 0400 and sailed with full Genoa with an E wind 7 – 10 knots steadily dropping at sunrise to 7 knots and now 5 knots at 0900. Roughly half way across from Ndendo, Santa Cruz to San Cristobal Island.
1030 Fuel dip – 108 Litres. Wind below 5 knots variable. Had 6 – 8 knots NE for an hour and sailed good under full main and Genoa. No wind and saw big fish jumping so decided to motor for an hour. Overcast cloudy conditions. Smooth seas with a gentle wind chop on surface. Few squalls a long way off in the distance.
1400 Wind 6 – 9 knots N – NE full sail. Genoa, Staysail and Full main. Cloudy weather and no more squalls around. Weather looks settled and I think this wind will be consistent for a while. That’s why hoisted stay sail. Heading W at 4/5 – 5 knots with smooth seas. Happy sailing, having a blast!
Sailed under full sail into the dark. Dropped staysail at dark and not long into the night were hit by squalls. Dropped main and sailed under reefed headsail for an hour. Wind totally disappeared and ocean glassy. Laid a hull and we both got some sleep.
Hoisted full main at 0400 and sailed with full Genoa with an E wind 7 – 10 knots steadily dropping at sunrise to 7 knots and now 5 knots at 0900. Roughly half way across from Ndendo, Santa Cruz to San Cristobal Island.
1030 Fuel dip – 108 Litres. Wind below 5 knots variable. Had 6 – 8 knots NE for an hour and sailed good under full main and Genoa. No wind and saw big fish jumping so decided to motor for an hour. Overcast cloudy conditions. Smooth seas with a gentle wind chop on surface. Few squalls a long way off in the distance.
1400 Wind 6 – 9 knots N – NE full sail. Genoa, Staysail and Full main. Cloudy weather and no more squalls around. Weather looks settled and I think this wind will be consistent for a while. That’s why hoisted stay sail. Heading W at 4/5 – 5 knots with smooth seas. Happy sailing, having a blast!
Sailed under full sail into the dark. Dropped staysail at dark and not long into the night were hit by squalls. Dropped main and sailed under reefed headsail for an hour. Wind totally disappeared and ocean glassy. Laid a hull and we both got some sleep.
December 11th
Ndendo Island, Santa Cruz, to San Cristobal Island– heading to Honiara Day 4
Hoisted main at 0400 and unfurled headsail, gentle 6 – 8 knots E wind. Squalls all around and did not take long to be on us. All morning battled with squalls, rain and wind constantly changing. Rode one squall for an hour with 20 knots NE. Constantly changing directions and need to tack and gybe to cater for wind shift. Motored at times between squalls chasing the wind. 95nms to Kira Kira, San Cristobal Island. Fuel dip 102 Litres.
Wind forcast for the next week is very light winds. Read in cruising guide that diesel is available for emergencies from this town Kira Kira. Have to carry jerry cans. Hopefully card works!!
1200 Skies have cleared and sunshine. Very gentle W wind below 5 knots.
Motoring with full main. All gauges at ignition are no longer working.
0130 – Finally got some wind except it is coming from the W. Exactly where we want to go. Wind is 10 – 13 knots W.
Had staysail up for half an hour as wind begun but since dropped it as wind increased. Now settled at 10 – 13 knots wind seas becoming choppy with small white caps below 1m. Now close reaching, full main and Genoa in a NW course doing 3.5 – 4.5 knots.
Position – 10.36.884S 163.24.283E
Remained under full 3 sails into the dark, as predicted wind dropped to nearly nothing W under 5 knots. Dropped staysail and motor sailed with full main and genoa for 45 minutes. Wind gently increased more to the S. Wind 6 – 9 knots S – SW. Turned engine off. Seas feel much smoother, No moon, pitch black outside. Doing 3.5 – 4 knots in the right direction.
Hoisted main at 0400 and unfurled headsail, gentle 6 – 8 knots E wind. Squalls all around and did not take long to be on us. All morning battled with squalls, rain and wind constantly changing. Rode one squall for an hour with 20 knots NE. Constantly changing directions and need to tack and gybe to cater for wind shift. Motored at times between squalls chasing the wind. 95nms to Kira Kira, San Cristobal Island. Fuel dip 102 Litres.
Wind forcast for the next week is very light winds. Read in cruising guide that diesel is available for emergencies from this town Kira Kira. Have to carry jerry cans. Hopefully card works!!
1200 Skies have cleared and sunshine. Very gentle W wind below 5 knots.
Motoring with full main. All gauges at ignition are no longer working.
0130 – Finally got some wind except it is coming from the W. Exactly where we want to go. Wind is 10 – 13 knots W.
Had staysail up for half an hour as wind begun but since dropped it as wind increased. Now settled at 10 – 13 knots wind seas becoming choppy with small white caps below 1m. Now close reaching, full main and Genoa in a NW course doing 3.5 – 4.5 knots.
Position – 10.36.884S 163.24.283E
Remained under full 3 sails into the dark, as predicted wind dropped to nearly nothing W under 5 knots. Dropped staysail and motor sailed with full main and genoa for 45 minutes. Wind gently increased more to the S. Wind 6 – 9 knots S – SW. Turned engine off. Seas feel much smoother, No moon, pitch black outside. Doing 3.5 – 4 knots in the right direction.
December 12th
Ndendo Island, Santa Cruz to San Cristobal Island– heading to Honiara Day 5
Wind dropped out at around midnight. Furled headsail and motored with full main, hand steering for a few hours. Hit by a squall around 0330, reefed main and unfurled headsail to first reef. Turned engine off.
Wind dropped out once again after an hour. No wind, glassy, smooth ocean so motored with reefed main until day break.
Gentle N – NW wind 6 – 8 knots, smooth seas. Full Genoa, stay sail and reefed main sailing W course towards Kira Kira bay.
0600 Fuel dip – 85 litres.
Travelling at 4.5 knots. 50nms to go to Kira Kira bay. Will struggle to make it in daylight. Hopefully have wind all day. Will let motor cool down and check all fluids. Has done a bit of work without fluid checks.
Engine hours 3327.3 hours
Vibration from shaft is causing a vibrating/rattling noise from behind stuffing box. Shaft only 1mm off but making a bit of a difference. Will have to find feeler gauges in Honiara so can align properly once and for all.
1200 – Wind steadily increasing 10 – 13 knots NW and has swung from N this morning tending more W. Currently reaching under reefed main, full Genoa and staysail doing 5.5 – 6 knots. 25nms to Kira Kira bay, seas have increased to around 1m, choppy, no swell. Nandji is cutting through the waves great, very impressed. On a 15 degree lean, the Hydrovane in second gear and preforming well.
1700 – Wind tendered more W all afternoon and pushed us off course S. Reaching San Cristobal Island we then tacked 7nms back offshore. Hoping wind might head back N, Currently on starboard tack close haul towards Kira Kira bay. Will have to tack away from land again for final approach. Wind W 10 – 15 knots Seas 1m. Sailing full reefed main, full genoa and staysail averaging 5 knots.
As soon as it went dark, wind dropped out to below 5 knots and seas became smooth. Furled headsail and motored 6nms into Kira Kira Bay with reefed main still up. No moon, pitch black. Approached bay from the N heading direct S. Slowly entering and dropped anchor in 11m. Ground shoals very quickly from 50+m to 10m.
Good to stop and get some rest after a long challenging passage. 5 days to travel 250nms…
Winds forecasted are all NW – W so will be beating into it for a further 3 days to Honiara. Hopefully get some fuel from this town tomorrow and continue on after some much needed rest.
Wind dropped out at around midnight. Furled headsail and motored with full main, hand steering for a few hours. Hit by a squall around 0330, reefed main and unfurled headsail to first reef. Turned engine off.
Wind dropped out once again after an hour. No wind, glassy, smooth ocean so motored with reefed main until day break.
Gentle N – NW wind 6 – 8 knots, smooth seas. Full Genoa, stay sail and reefed main sailing W course towards Kira Kira bay.
0600 Fuel dip – 85 litres.
Travelling at 4.5 knots. 50nms to go to Kira Kira bay. Will struggle to make it in daylight. Hopefully have wind all day. Will let motor cool down and check all fluids. Has done a bit of work without fluid checks.
Engine hours 3327.3 hours
Vibration from shaft is causing a vibrating/rattling noise from behind stuffing box. Shaft only 1mm off but making a bit of a difference. Will have to find feeler gauges in Honiara so can align properly once and for all.
1200 – Wind steadily increasing 10 – 13 knots NW and has swung from N this morning tending more W. Currently reaching under reefed main, full Genoa and staysail doing 5.5 – 6 knots. 25nms to Kira Kira bay, seas have increased to around 1m, choppy, no swell. Nandji is cutting through the waves great, very impressed. On a 15 degree lean, the Hydrovane in second gear and preforming well.
1700 – Wind tendered more W all afternoon and pushed us off course S. Reaching San Cristobal Island we then tacked 7nms back offshore. Hoping wind might head back N, Currently on starboard tack close haul towards Kira Kira bay. Will have to tack away from land again for final approach. Wind W 10 – 15 knots Seas 1m. Sailing full reefed main, full genoa and staysail averaging 5 knots.
As soon as it went dark, wind dropped out to below 5 knots and seas became smooth. Furled headsail and motored 6nms into Kira Kira Bay with reefed main still up. No moon, pitch black. Approached bay from the N heading direct S. Slowly entering and dropped anchor in 11m. Ground shoals very quickly from 50+m to 10m.
Good to stop and get some rest after a long challenging passage. 5 days to travel 250nms…
Winds forecasted are all NW – W so will be beating into it for a further 3 days to Honiara. Hopefully get some fuel from this town tomorrow and continue on after some much needed rest.
13th December
Makira Island – heading to Honiara Day 6
Anchorage very rolly and open to the N. A small swell enters this bay. No wind last night so we slowly drifted in circles and at times, side on to swell. Sunshine and below 5 knots of wind, Glassy smooth ocean. Fuel dip 78 Litres.
Could not get fuel from town as could not get money out.
1100 – Pulled anchor and sailed out of the bay with reefed main still from yesterday. Full genoa and staysail. Wind NW 6 – 8 knots, Smooth seas. Found out on land that torrential rain is predicted in next 24 hours time. Will sail to island 15nms away and hide on the lee. It looks like on charts that there is a shoal near land, hopefully it is not reef in 11ms of water.
Flash flooding predicted and a warning to the villages has been issued. Strong winds are not forecasted but I don’t think we want to be at seas with that rain and lightning.
1230 – Wind increased to 15 knots W – seas built to 1 – 1.5m. Short steep waves with lots of whitecaps. A current seems to be running from between San Cristobal Island and Makira Islands causing a cross swell to the wind waves making a confused sea with peaks of waves doubling in size and crumbling.
Our progress is very slow because of this. We changed course N to try and get away from the current.
Further N we get less side chop but the open passage has a bigger wind, wave chop. 1.5m sailing first reef main, full genoa. Will tack W and try to hide behind Makira island for the night preparing for the predicted rain and lightning.
No infraction on anchorage but chart has a large 11m – 20m area that appears to be a shoal. If its reef and cannot anchor will have to continue sailing as nowhere else to anchor.
1600 – Now on starboard tack towards Makira Island. Decided to try a different sail combo. Still have reefed main but instead of full genoa have reefed headsail. Can sheet staysail closer to centre so should point upwind better. Holding line good and speed is 0.5 – 1 knot quicker than previous tack.
Arrived to E side of island with half an hour of light left. Chart was not accurate and I was wrong thinking it was a sandy shoal. Depth rose quickly and anchored in 15m approx. 70 meters from beach. Tucked behind a reef that pokes further E and are a little sheltered from the NW – N wind and swell. Anchorage a little rolly when swung side on. Lots of lightening and rain around us but clear skies above us. Happy to have stopped sailing through.
Dove on anchor and the bottom is reefy/rocky with sand patches. Moved anchor so it weaves between two coral bombies and wraps around the base, chain changing direction at 90 degrees, twice. Anchor is solid and not going t drag, may struggle to lift it up though. Wind, 15 knots NW.
Anchorage very rolly and open to the N. A small swell enters this bay. No wind last night so we slowly drifted in circles and at times, side on to swell. Sunshine and below 5 knots of wind, Glassy smooth ocean. Fuel dip 78 Litres.
Could not get fuel from town as could not get money out.
1100 – Pulled anchor and sailed out of the bay with reefed main still from yesterday. Full genoa and staysail. Wind NW 6 – 8 knots, Smooth seas. Found out on land that torrential rain is predicted in next 24 hours time. Will sail to island 15nms away and hide on the lee. It looks like on charts that there is a shoal near land, hopefully it is not reef in 11ms of water.
Flash flooding predicted and a warning to the villages has been issued. Strong winds are not forecasted but I don’t think we want to be at seas with that rain and lightning.
1230 – Wind increased to 15 knots W – seas built to 1 – 1.5m. Short steep waves with lots of whitecaps. A current seems to be running from between San Cristobal Island and Makira Islands causing a cross swell to the wind waves making a confused sea with peaks of waves doubling in size and crumbling.
Our progress is very slow because of this. We changed course N to try and get away from the current.
Further N we get less side chop but the open passage has a bigger wind, wave chop. 1.5m sailing first reef main, full genoa. Will tack W and try to hide behind Makira island for the night preparing for the predicted rain and lightning.
No infraction on anchorage but chart has a large 11m – 20m area that appears to be a shoal. If its reef and cannot anchor will have to continue sailing as nowhere else to anchor.
1600 – Now on starboard tack towards Makira Island. Decided to try a different sail combo. Still have reefed main but instead of full genoa have reefed headsail. Can sheet staysail closer to centre so should point upwind better. Holding line good and speed is 0.5 – 1 knot quicker than previous tack.
Arrived to E side of island with half an hour of light left. Chart was not accurate and I was wrong thinking it was a sandy shoal. Depth rose quickly and anchored in 15m approx. 70 meters from beach. Tucked behind a reef that pokes further E and are a little sheltered from the NW – N wind and swell. Anchorage a little rolly when swung side on. Lots of lightening and rain around us but clear skies above us. Happy to have stopped sailing through.
Dove on anchor and the bottom is reefy/rocky with sand patches. Moved anchor so it weaves between two coral bombies and wraps around the base, chain changing direction at 90 degrees, twice. Anchor is solid and not going t drag, may struggle to lift it up though. Wind, 15 knots NW.
14th December
Makira Island – heading to Honiara Day 7
Managed to manouver Nandji around for twenty minutes to untangle the anchor chain from bombies. I was afraid at one stage I would have to dive on the anchor chain but we managed to free the anchor.
Wind 10 – 13 knots N – NW, hoisted first reef main, reefed headsail and staysail. Left the anchorage on a port tack heading NE for a couple of miles, hopefully giving enough space to clear the small Pio island to the north of our anchorage.
Now on starboard tack, close hauling at 15 degrees and unfurled full headsail. Winds eased a little 6 -10 knots. Seas 1m, few white caps. Small wind chop swell. Nandji seems to be cutting through the waves okay and we are doing 3.8 – 4.5 knots NW. Hopefully everything remains like this for the next 24 hours so we can make good ground NW. 80nms to reach channel to change course W – SW.
Had to tack away from Pio island as our course had pushed us S. Turned onto starboard tack again but got beaten by current pushing around top of the island. Turned to a beam reach to build up speed and try to push through. Seas built to 2m with overfalls and cross swell stuck In a washing machine. Tacked N again and reaching on port tack away from island to deeper water.
Very confued sea at 1.5m with lots of white caps. Afraid there may be a current running against us we can not point to windward very well. Each tack is on basically a 45 degree angle to the previous.
Have made an estimated route from the current position to Honiara = 220nm. We need to cover this in the next 3 days, 4 days maximum. Normally this tack would not be so tough but all elements are against us and Nandji cannot build up enough speed to power through waves. Average wind 13.5 knots.
1800 – Wind dropped out to nothing a couple of hours ago and we ended up drifting backwards for 10 minutes. Wind changed to the NNW and slowly increased to 10 – 13 knots, Nandji is moving well again!
Seas have calmed to 1m and Nandji is cutting through the waves.
We were over shallower water for most of the afternoon and I think this is what caused all the disturbance and confusion with the sea.
We motored in forwards idle for 15 minutes to help propel our motion through the chop until reaching the ledge. Depth changed from 100 – 400m to 1200m. Once into the deeper water the ocean became smoother. No more white caps and no more cross swell washing machine.
Heading into the night with same sail combo. Full genoa, staysail and first reef main. Wind N – NW 8 – 13 knots.
Can see Guadacanal Island on the horizion which has given our spirits a huge boost after worrying most of the day about not moving. Lesson learnt, stay well clear of headlands and keep in the deeper water. Stayed on starboard tack most of the night until 3am. Wind NW 13 – 18 knots. Sailed under second reefed headsail, staysail and first reefed main. Averaged 4.5 knots. Seas 1m.
Had 4 ships through the night to avoid. 2 were contacted via radio and responded positively.
Caught a massive Tuna head as the rest of the fish got sharked. The had alone would weigh 10kg so the entire fish must have been 50 – 60kg. Imagine the size of the shark!! After a slow start managed to sail around 85nms in 24 hours.
Managed to manouver Nandji around for twenty minutes to untangle the anchor chain from bombies. I was afraid at one stage I would have to dive on the anchor chain but we managed to free the anchor.
Wind 10 – 13 knots N – NW, hoisted first reef main, reefed headsail and staysail. Left the anchorage on a port tack heading NE for a couple of miles, hopefully giving enough space to clear the small Pio island to the north of our anchorage.
Now on starboard tack, close hauling at 15 degrees and unfurled full headsail. Winds eased a little 6 -10 knots. Seas 1m, few white caps. Small wind chop swell. Nandji seems to be cutting through the waves okay and we are doing 3.8 – 4.5 knots NW. Hopefully everything remains like this for the next 24 hours so we can make good ground NW. 80nms to reach channel to change course W – SW.
Had to tack away from Pio island as our course had pushed us S. Turned onto starboard tack again but got beaten by current pushing around top of the island. Turned to a beam reach to build up speed and try to push through. Seas built to 2m with overfalls and cross swell stuck In a washing machine. Tacked N again and reaching on port tack away from island to deeper water.
Very confued sea at 1.5m with lots of white caps. Afraid there may be a current running against us we can not point to windward very well. Each tack is on basically a 45 degree angle to the previous.
Have made an estimated route from the current position to Honiara = 220nm. We need to cover this in the next 3 days, 4 days maximum. Normally this tack would not be so tough but all elements are against us and Nandji cannot build up enough speed to power through waves. Average wind 13.5 knots.
1800 – Wind dropped out to nothing a couple of hours ago and we ended up drifting backwards for 10 minutes. Wind changed to the NNW and slowly increased to 10 – 13 knots, Nandji is moving well again!
Seas have calmed to 1m and Nandji is cutting through the waves.
We were over shallower water for most of the afternoon and I think this is what caused all the disturbance and confusion with the sea.
We motored in forwards idle for 15 minutes to help propel our motion through the chop until reaching the ledge. Depth changed from 100 – 400m to 1200m. Once into the deeper water the ocean became smoother. No more white caps and no more cross swell washing machine.
Heading into the night with same sail combo. Full genoa, staysail and first reef main. Wind N – NW 8 – 13 knots.
Can see Guadacanal Island on the horizion which has given our spirits a huge boost after worrying most of the day about not moving. Lesson learnt, stay well clear of headlands and keep in the deeper water. Stayed on starboard tack most of the night until 3am. Wind NW 13 – 18 knots. Sailed under second reefed headsail, staysail and first reefed main. Averaged 4.5 knots. Seas 1m.
Had 4 ships through the night to avoid. 2 were contacted via radio and responded positively.
Caught a massive Tuna head as the rest of the fish got sharked. The had alone would weigh 10kg so the entire fish must have been 50 – 60kg. Imagine the size of the shark!! After a slow start managed to sail around 85nms in 24 hours.
15th December
Makira Island – heading to Honiara Day 8
Wind NW 10 – 15 knots, Seas 1m calm, few white caps.
Reefed headsail, staysail and first reefed main. Nandji sailing good around 4.8 – 5.2 knots. About to tack once again onto Starboard tack as have reached half way up the passage and Malatia Island.
1200 – Wind still the same NW 10 – 15 knots with few gusts reaching 18 knots. Seas increased 1 – 1.5m, short steep white capping waves and becoming confused with cross swell. Reefed headsail into second reef. Still have staysail and first reefed main. Nandji has slowed a little because of the pounding into the rougher seas 3.7 – 4.5 knots.
1530 – Seas are a little smoother closer to Guadacanal Island and Nandji is not getting knocked over to 30 degrees as oftern with waves so have unfurled some more headsail and gained an extra half knot. Changed back on Port tack before reaching waypoint and still over 10nms from Guadacanal Island. Could see a large squall with lots of rain so tacked to run away from the weather.
Wind turned more W during port tack allowing us to make an extra few miles N. Wind since swung back to NW 8 – 13 knots.
Back on Starboard tack and have a good course line towards the Lengo Channel into Iron Bottom Sound and Honiara. Currently travelling between 4.2 – 4.8 knots. At this speed should reach Lengo Channel just after sun up. Sailing reefed headsail, staysail and first reef main.
Wind NW 10 – 15 knots, Seas 1m calm, few white caps.
Reefed headsail, staysail and first reefed main. Nandji sailing good around 4.8 – 5.2 knots. About to tack once again onto Starboard tack as have reached half way up the passage and Malatia Island.
1200 – Wind still the same NW 10 – 15 knots with few gusts reaching 18 knots. Seas increased 1 – 1.5m, short steep white capping waves and becoming confused with cross swell. Reefed headsail into second reef. Still have staysail and first reefed main. Nandji has slowed a little because of the pounding into the rougher seas 3.7 – 4.5 knots.
1530 – Seas are a little smoother closer to Guadacanal Island and Nandji is not getting knocked over to 30 degrees as oftern with waves so have unfurled some more headsail and gained an extra half knot. Changed back on Port tack before reaching waypoint and still over 10nms from Guadacanal Island. Could see a large squall with lots of rain so tacked to run away from the weather.
Wind turned more W during port tack allowing us to make an extra few miles N. Wind since swung back to NW 8 – 13 knots.
Back on Starboard tack and have a good course line towards the Lengo Channel into Iron Bottom Sound and Honiara. Currently travelling between 4.2 – 4.8 knots. At this speed should reach Lengo Channel just after sun up. Sailing reefed headsail, staysail and first reef main.
16th December
Early morning sailing at 5 knots, wind 10 – 13 knots NW. Reefed headsail, staysail and first reefed main. Was sitting at watch gazing at the stars then wind instantly stopped and a minute later heavy rain fell for 15 minutes.
Wind returned as a gentle W – SW below 10 knots. Tried to sail for an hour until Sunrise. Furled headsail and dropped staysail, motoring with reefed main. Only idled forward for half an hour as lots of tree logs and debris in water.
0800 – Motoring at 1600RPM with reefed main. 35nms to Honiara. Sea is smooth and glassy and sun is hot and shining. Hopefully clouds on horizion brig some wind to sail and relief from the heat.
0930 – Fuel Dip – 66 Litres
Around 22nms to Honiara.
Wind changed and eased 5 – 8 knots NW. Full Sail at a good angle towards Honiara.
1530 – Wind increased to 15 knots and changed more W, forcing us towards land. Needed to tack out to sea twice. Once we reached the bay of Honiara a squall came. Wind increased 25 knots NW. Seas short steep and choppy 1 – 1.5m waves. Furled Headsail, left stay sail. 30 minutes later, wind dropped out completely. Went to motor final 3nms into the anchorage and motor wouldn’t start. Kept popping out a fuse on starter. Removed starter, changed the terminals. Re-connected wire with new crimp. Cleaned 18mm wire connection. Managed to start with 2 fuses left…
Motored into Point Cruz and picked up mooring. Deep little bay 20m surrounded by reef and other vessels.
Wind returned as a gentle W – SW below 10 knots. Tried to sail for an hour until Sunrise. Furled headsail and dropped staysail, motoring with reefed main. Only idled forward for half an hour as lots of tree logs and debris in water.
0800 – Motoring at 1600RPM with reefed main. 35nms to Honiara. Sea is smooth and glassy and sun is hot and shining. Hopefully clouds on horizion brig some wind to sail and relief from the heat.
0930 – Fuel Dip – 66 Litres
Around 22nms to Honiara.
Wind changed and eased 5 – 8 knots NW. Full Sail at a good angle towards Honiara.
1530 – Wind increased to 15 knots and changed more W, forcing us towards land. Needed to tack out to sea twice. Once we reached the bay of Honiara a squall came. Wind increased 25 knots NW. Seas short steep and choppy 1 – 1.5m waves. Furled Headsail, left stay sail. 30 minutes later, wind dropped out completely. Went to motor final 3nms into the anchorage and motor wouldn’t start. Kept popping out a fuse on starter. Removed starter, changed the terminals. Re-connected wire with new crimp. Cleaned 18mm wire connection. Managed to start with 2 fuses left…
Motored into Point Cruz and picked up mooring. Deep little bay 20m surrounded by reef and other vessels.
24 December
Honiara to Mbungana Island, Florida Group- Solomon Islands
Sailed out of Honiara NE towards Tulagi, Florida Islands.
24nm trip. Wind 5 – 7 knots, smooth seas. Full sail, main, genoa, stay sail. Getting close to dark so decided to go to closest anchorage behind Mbungana Island. Strong current between mainland and island – 2 – 3 knots. Anchored 4 – 8m sandy/reefy bottom.
Sailed out of Honiara NE towards Tulagi, Florida Islands.
24nm trip. Wind 5 – 7 knots, smooth seas. Full sail, main, genoa, stay sail. Getting close to dark so decided to go to closest anchorage behind Mbungana Island. Strong current between mainland and island – 2 – 3 knots. Anchored 4 – 8m sandy/reefy bottom.
25 December
Mbungana Island to Ghauutu Island, Florida Group – Solomon Islands
Visited little village on mainland, Frank was the chief. Had a small WW2 Museum they had made with artefacts collected around village. Sailed under headsail only, 3nms to Ghauutu Island. Wind E 6-8 knots. Anchored behind/between 2 small islands next to Ghauutu. Reefy bottom, 15m. Not the best holding but little wind for days.
Visited little village on mainland, Frank was the chief. Had a small WW2 Museum they had made with artefacts collected around village. Sailed under headsail only, 3nms to Ghauutu Island. Wind E 6-8 knots. Anchored behind/between 2 small islands next to Ghauutu. Reefy bottom, 15m. Not the best holding but little wind for days.
28 December
Ghauutu Island to Makambo Island – Florida Group, Solomon Islands
Sailed 2nms to Makumbo Island across from Sesape boatyard on Telagi Island. Wind 8 – 11 knots E, Smooth seas. Quite a lot of reef to navigate around and between. Anchored on NW side of Makambo Island on edge of fringing finger of reef. 14m flat rock bottom. Poor hold but light conditions. Took tender to boatyard and asked about bearing and vibration problem. Need to fix alignment.
Sailed 2nms to Makumbo Island across from Sesape boatyard on Telagi Island. Wind 8 – 11 knots E, Smooth seas. Quite a lot of reef to navigate around and between. Anchored on NW side of Makambo Island on edge of fringing finger of reef. 14m flat rock bottom. Poor hold but light conditions. Took tender to boatyard and asked about bearing and vibration problem. Need to fix alignment.
November 2017 - Port Villa, Efate to Santo Island, Vanuatu.
November 17th 2017
Port Villa, Vanuatu
A month in Port Villa…..
We have finally made progress in the last 2 days in repairing our engine.
Mechanic removed fuel injection pump on 16th to inspect the govonor spring. Lucky spring was not rusted, worn or damaged. Our problem may have been from a blocked secondary fuel filter pushing gunk into the injection pump and clogging the spring. We waited 3 weeks for filters to arrive and finally I collected them from the courier office on the 13th.
Re-installed the injection pump today and tuned engine to idle at 0900 RPM. Changed the solenoid on the starter motor so connections are flush. Previous stud on solenoid was stripped and split pinned on. Connection would smoke after excess use.
Changed oil and oil filter. Engine hours at change 3271.2 hours.
Engine has done 95 hours between oil change. Used 5 litres oil and ½ litre Lucas oil additive. Sump = 5.5 litres.
Our fuel is contaminated and need to add bio killer stuff. Will get it from mechanic Monday morning. Went onto mooring on Friday 16th November in the morning. Hydrovane finally delivered on Friday 16th November after spending 2 weeks in Vanuatu with customs. Will begin installation tomorrow (Sunday 18th) whilst on mooring. Installed Hydrovane, found rot in the transom. Dug out and installed 17mm marine plywood. Epoxied into place. Re-fibreglassed whole port side transom and re-enforced.
Engine is blowing white smoke from exhaust but mechanic seems to think it is only the additive in the fuel burning off all the contamination. Still have 160 litres of fuel to burn down.
A month in Port Villa…..
We have finally made progress in the last 2 days in repairing our engine.
Mechanic removed fuel injection pump on 16th to inspect the govonor spring. Lucky spring was not rusted, worn or damaged. Our problem may have been from a blocked secondary fuel filter pushing gunk into the injection pump and clogging the spring. We waited 3 weeks for filters to arrive and finally I collected them from the courier office on the 13th.
Re-installed the injection pump today and tuned engine to idle at 0900 RPM. Changed the solenoid on the starter motor so connections are flush. Previous stud on solenoid was stripped and split pinned on. Connection would smoke after excess use.
Changed oil and oil filter. Engine hours at change 3271.2 hours.
Engine has done 95 hours between oil change. Used 5 litres oil and ½ litre Lucas oil additive. Sump = 5.5 litres.
Our fuel is contaminated and need to add bio killer stuff. Will get it from mechanic Monday morning. Went onto mooring on Friday 16th November in the morning. Hydrovane finally delivered on Friday 16th November after spending 2 weeks in Vanuatu with customs. Will begin installation tomorrow (Sunday 18th) whilst on mooring. Installed Hydrovane, found rot in the transom. Dug out and installed 17mm marine plywood. Epoxied into place. Re-fibreglassed whole port side transom and re-enforced.
Engine is blowing white smoke from exhaust but mechanic seems to think it is only the additive in the fuel burning off all the contamination. Still have 160 litres of fuel to burn down.
November 24th Saturday
Port Villa to Malakula Island, heading to Santo Island, Vanuatu – Day 1
Test run of Hydrovane
Motored out of Port Villa anchorage into the bay and hoisted full main. Engine off and sailed between the markers into the big bay. Wind E 15 – 20 knots. Tested out Hydroane for the first time. Initially faced the vane the wrong way into the wind but got the hang of it quite quick. Building seas towards Devils Point. 3 -3.5m seas with overfalls for 2nm’s rounding the point. Kept over 2nm from land as seas were quite rowdy. Wind E 20 – 25 knots. Once clear of the point, seas dropped to 1.5m. Wind E 20 – 25 knots. Gybed and changed course NW.
Hydrovane steered the entire night. Reefed headsail at dusk. Wind increased E 30 knots during the evening but Hydrovane kept its course and we did not need to touch the wheel all night. Hydrovane setting – Gear 2. Average speed 5.5 – 6 knots.
Test run of Hydrovane
Motored out of Port Villa anchorage into the bay and hoisted full main. Engine off and sailed between the markers into the big bay. Wind E 15 – 20 knots. Tested out Hydroane for the first time. Initially faced the vane the wrong way into the wind but got the hang of it quite quick. Building seas towards Devils Point. 3 -3.5m seas with overfalls for 2nm’s rounding the point. Kept over 2nm from land as seas were quite rowdy. Wind E 20 – 25 knots. Once clear of the point, seas dropped to 1.5m. Wind E 20 – 25 knots. Gybed and changed course NW.
Hydrovane steered the entire night. Reefed headsail at dusk. Wind increased E 30 knots during the evening but Hydrovane kept its course and we did not need to touch the wheel all night. Hydrovane setting – Gear 2. Average speed 5.5 – 6 knots.
November 25th Sunday
Port Villa to Malakula Island, heading for Santo Island, Vanuatu – Day 2
Unfurled headsail at day break as winds eased coming into leeward of Malakula Island. Toilet not flushing and having trouble with wiring, I think. Terminals at the back are warn, need to rewire when at port. Winds eased to E 10 knots, seas under 1m sun shining.
One marlin sniffed lure but hook not big enough I think. Took the lure 4 times but spat it straight out. Devastated.
At 1000 50nm to Luganville, Santo Island. May anchor at the top of Malakula Island for the night and motor or sail in the morning through the channel. Speed dropped to 4 knots going dead downwind. May double headsail.
Went double headsail for 3 hours in fading E under 10 knot winds. Ocean became glassy, dropped all sail and motored 8nm to Willekh bay, Malakula Island. Anchored 11m rocky/coral/sandy bottom. Poor holding and had to dive on the anchor and position it in the sand.
Unfurled headsail at day break as winds eased coming into leeward of Malakula Island. Toilet not flushing and having trouble with wiring, I think. Terminals at the back are warn, need to rewire when at port. Winds eased to E 10 knots, seas under 1m sun shining.
One marlin sniffed lure but hook not big enough I think. Took the lure 4 times but spat it straight out. Devastated.
At 1000 50nm to Luganville, Santo Island. May anchor at the top of Malakula Island for the night and motor or sail in the morning through the channel. Speed dropped to 4 knots going dead downwind. May double headsail.
Went double headsail for 3 hours in fading E under 10 knot winds. Ocean became glassy, dropped all sail and motored 8nm to Willekh bay, Malakula Island. Anchored 11m rocky/coral/sandy bottom. Poor holding and had to dive on the anchor and position it in the sand.
November 26th Monday
Malakula Island, heading for Santo Island, Vanuatu – Day 2
Engine hours - 3287.7 hours
All fluids (oil, coolant, gearbox, steering) are GOOD!!
Pulled up anchor and motored out of the anchorage. 35nm to Luganville, Santo. Winds below 10 Knots SE
Motor is a little clunky and the shaft is vibrating as it looks out of line. Made small adjustments whilst looking around. Looks and sounds much better now, re-check and align when in Luganville.
Variable winds 10 knots, unfurled full headsail and after 30 minutes a consistent 10-15 knot E started. Hoisted full main and reefed headsail. Wind increased instantly to 20 – 25 knots. Furled headsail and reefed main to second reef. E – NE and we were heading towards a channel between the Islands where the wind was coming from. Afraid of copping stronger winds when clear of the headland. Reefed headsail. Hydrovane in second gear and operating perfectly. I love this thing!
Beam reaching with second reefed main, heavily reefed headsail 25 knots E – NE, seas 1m. Winds easing to 15 – 20 knots E. Once on the inside of the island before entering the passage, wind funnelled between islands and got up to 20 knots on the nose. Needed to tack twice for angle of entrance into passage. Once inside passage to Luganville wind dropped to 10 knots variable as it blew off the land. Motored with main up to anchorage. Depth sounder playing up and had to judge depths from the positioning of 3 other boats. Anchored in 10m mud bottom at around 1200.
Engine hours - 3287.7 hours
All fluids (oil, coolant, gearbox, steering) are GOOD!!
Pulled up anchor and motored out of the anchorage. 35nm to Luganville, Santo. Winds below 10 Knots SE
Motor is a little clunky and the shaft is vibrating as it looks out of line. Made small adjustments whilst looking around. Looks and sounds much better now, re-check and align when in Luganville.
Variable winds 10 knots, unfurled full headsail and after 30 minutes a consistent 10-15 knot E started. Hoisted full main and reefed headsail. Wind increased instantly to 20 – 25 knots. Furled headsail and reefed main to second reef. E – NE and we were heading towards a channel between the Islands where the wind was coming from. Afraid of copping stronger winds when clear of the headland. Reefed headsail. Hydrovane in second gear and operating perfectly. I love this thing!
Beam reaching with second reefed main, heavily reefed headsail 25 knots E – NE, seas 1m. Winds easing to 15 – 20 knots E. Once on the inside of the island before entering the passage, wind funnelled between islands and got up to 20 knots on the nose. Needed to tack twice for angle of entrance into passage. Once inside passage to Luganville wind dropped to 10 knots variable as it blew off the land. Motored with main up to anchorage. Depth sounder playing up and had to judge depths from the positioning of 3 other boats. Anchored in 10m mud bottom at around 1200.
November 29th Thursday
Luganville to Palikulo Bay, Santo Island, Vanuatu
Picked up the anchor in the afternoon and motored with first reefed main E through the passage past Million Dollar point.
Wind E 10 – 15 knots. Once clear of the headland changed course N, unfurled full headsail. Rounded following headland and entered the bay near Club Nautique.
Dropped sails inside the bay and motored through waypoints and reef. Anchored in 11m sand bottom, surrounded by reef.
Picked up the anchor in the afternoon and motored with first reefed main E through the passage past Million Dollar point.
Wind E 10 – 15 knots. Once clear of the headland changed course N, unfurled full headsail. Rounded following headland and entered the bay near Club Nautique.
Dropped sails inside the bay and motored through waypoints and reef. Anchored in 11m sand bottom, surrounded by reef.
October 2017 - Noumea, New Caledonia to Vanuatu
Monday Oct 2nd
At Anchor in Noumea – New Caledonia
Maintenance – Cleaned bilge and de-greased engine. When it is run next I can hopefully find the oil leak.
No obvious sign of where the Coolant is leaking.
Ran engine for 20minutes and no sign of any leaks.
Re-aligned drive shaft coupling to the gearbox. Lower aft engine mount one full nut rotation. Seems to have removed some of the vibration. When running in gear it seems smoother but when at idle it appears shaft has more vibration. Not sure if is because of my doing. Coupling matches rubber joiner much better. I think the joiner has quite a bit of play through the shaft. Will keep an eye on the coupling.
Had to replace split washer on one bolt of coupling as bolt loose and broken washer. I think this was the reason for the initial noise.
Maintenance – Cleaned bilge and de-greased engine. When it is run next I can hopefully find the oil leak.
No obvious sign of where the Coolant is leaking.
Ran engine for 20minutes and no sign of any leaks.
Re-aligned drive shaft coupling to the gearbox. Lower aft engine mount one full nut rotation. Seems to have removed some of the vibration. When running in gear it seems smoother but when at idle it appears shaft has more vibration. Not sure if is because of my doing. Coupling matches rubber joiner much better. I think the joiner has quite a bit of play through the shaft. Will keep an eye on the coupling.
Had to replace split washer on one bolt of coupling as bolt loose and broken washer. I think this was the reason for the initial noise.
Friday 6th October
Anchored inside Noumea harbour – New Caledonia
Has been blowing 30 knots SE every afternoon. Really strong trade wind, waiting for winds to drop.
Checked out of customs today ready to depart New Caledonia. Plan to fill with water in the morning and then head towards Baie Du Prony before wind gets too strong again.
The tidal current through Havanah Pass, the gateway to open ocean has a very strong tidal current. On Sunday 8th October, high tide is 0830.
We plan to be leaving through the pass with the outgoing tide, not long after that. at around 0900. Aiming to get fuel and water really early and leave ASAP to make as much ground around the bottom of New Cal before the SE gets too strong. It is forecasted to be 10-15 knots SE Sunday, Monday & Tuesday. I am guessing it will reach 20 knots for sure. Forecasts always say less than what is expected.
Nandji seems ready to go. I tuned all the rigging last week so will have to check once again when under sail.
I cannot think of any other jobs that are needed to be done which is a really good feeling! Touch wood!!
Has been blowing 30 knots SE every afternoon. Really strong trade wind, waiting for winds to drop.
Checked out of customs today ready to depart New Caledonia. Plan to fill with water in the morning and then head towards Baie Du Prony before wind gets too strong again.
The tidal current through Havanah Pass, the gateway to open ocean has a very strong tidal current. On Sunday 8th October, high tide is 0830.
We plan to be leaving through the pass with the outgoing tide, not long after that. at around 0900. Aiming to get fuel and water really early and leave ASAP to make as much ground around the bottom of New Cal before the SE gets too strong. It is forecasted to be 10-15 knots SE Sunday, Monday & Tuesday. I am guessing it will reach 20 knots for sure. Forecasts always say less than what is expected.
Nandji seems ready to go. I tuned all the rigging last week so will have to check once again when under sail.
I cannot think of any other jobs that are needed to be done which is a really good feeling! Touch wood!!
Sunday 7th October
Setting Sail from Noumea Harbour to Tanna Island, Vanuatu – Day 1
Picked up anchor early and went into Port Moselle Marina. Tied up to fuel dock at 0600. Had to wait until 0700 for them to open.
30Litres Unleaded
96 Litres Diesel
400Litres Water
As we were checking out we received 30% duty free, tax free fuel.
Finally left Noumea Harbour at 0830.
Wind already 10 – 15 Knots E. Reefed main and full Genoa.
Winds increased to 15 – 20 knots by 1000. Reefed Headsail. By 1200 wind was more SE and increased to 20-25 knots. Furled headsail and hoisted the staysail. Seas built to a choppy 1-1.5m and rough. Gusts at 30 knots from SE.
Hugged the coast and tacked in the smoother water towards Canal Woodin. Stopped and dropped anchor in Baie Uarie. 7m mud bottom, very protected from the SE. Strong bullets ripped off the hills but flat calm bay. Dropped anchor at 1500. Decided to wait out strong winds and wait for the tide to change to have a favourable current to pass through Canal Woodin. Had a rest and woke at 2000. Tide Ebbs East and high tide was 2030.
Wind had dropped off considerably, now 10 knots E leaving Baie Uaie. Full moon and very well light up.
Wind against tide on entrance to Canal Woodin. Strong current at 2.5 knots sucked us through the dirty water. Sailed out of Baie Uaie under full Genoa, hoisted reefed main and furled the Genoa. Motored with main through ********* entrance and dirty water into 10 – 13 Knot E Wind. Small overfalls. Once into canal and clear of dirty water, engine off, reefed headsail. Sailed this combination for the next 3 hours, tacking our way through the canal and down the coast. Unfurled headsail for the last 2 hours. Reaching 6.5 knots, reaching.
Anchored at 0300 in small Baie 4nm to Havanah pass. High tide is at 0830. Sleep until 0730 and start again. Anchored in 12m, mud, sloping quickly to reef 7m. Very protected bay.
Picked up anchor early and went into Port Moselle Marina. Tied up to fuel dock at 0600. Had to wait until 0700 for them to open.
30Litres Unleaded
96 Litres Diesel
400Litres Water
As we were checking out we received 30% duty free, tax free fuel.
Finally left Noumea Harbour at 0830.
Wind already 10 – 15 Knots E. Reefed main and full Genoa.
Winds increased to 15 – 20 knots by 1000. Reefed Headsail. By 1200 wind was more SE and increased to 20-25 knots. Furled headsail and hoisted the staysail. Seas built to a choppy 1-1.5m and rough. Gusts at 30 knots from SE.
Hugged the coast and tacked in the smoother water towards Canal Woodin. Stopped and dropped anchor in Baie Uarie. 7m mud bottom, very protected from the SE. Strong bullets ripped off the hills but flat calm bay. Dropped anchor at 1500. Decided to wait out strong winds and wait for the tide to change to have a favourable current to pass through Canal Woodin. Had a rest and woke at 2000. Tide Ebbs East and high tide was 2030.
Wind had dropped off considerably, now 10 knots E leaving Baie Uaie. Full moon and very well light up.
Wind against tide on entrance to Canal Woodin. Strong current at 2.5 knots sucked us through the dirty water. Sailed out of Baie Uaie under full Genoa, hoisted reefed main and furled the Genoa. Motored with main through ********* entrance and dirty water into 10 – 13 Knot E Wind. Small overfalls. Once into canal and clear of dirty water, engine off, reefed headsail. Sailed this combination for the next 3 hours, tacking our way through the canal and down the coast. Unfurled headsail for the last 2 hours. Reaching 6.5 knots, reaching.
Anchored at 0300 in small Baie 4nm to Havanah pass. High tide is at 0830. Sleep until 0730 and start again. Anchored in 12m, mud, sloping quickly to reef 7m. Very protected bay.
Sunday 8th October 2017
Passage from Noumea Harbour to Tanna Island, Vanuatu – Day 2
1050 – Left Baie at 0800 under motor. Hoisted full main and motored towards pass. Wind E 5 – 10 knots.
No current through pass. Expecting up to 4 knots, turned engine off half way out pass and hoisted full sail. Genoa, Staysail and Main. Wind 7 – 12 knots E. Sailing 5 knots in a NE 30 degree course.
Sailed into the night under full sail. Almost as soon as ait went dark the wind slowly swung more SE. After an hour, dropped stay sail, an our later reefed headsail. Sailed through the night with a full main, reefed headsail on a beam reach. Winds maxed at 15 knots SE.
Reached speeds up to 7 knots. Ocean smooth under 1m all day. Got a little choppier at night but backed off by morning.
0400 – Unfurled headsail as winds dropped rapidly. By sunrise wind was 5 knots. Sailed 90nm to the loyalty Islands.
1050 – Left Baie at 0800 under motor. Hoisted full main and motored towards pass. Wind E 5 – 10 knots.
No current through pass. Expecting up to 4 knots, turned engine off half way out pass and hoisted full sail. Genoa, Staysail and Main. Wind 7 – 12 knots E. Sailing 5 knots in a NE 30 degree course.
Sailed into the night under full sail. Almost as soon as ait went dark the wind slowly swung more SE. After an hour, dropped stay sail, an our later reefed headsail. Sailed through the night with a full main, reefed headsail on a beam reach. Winds maxed at 15 knots SE.
Reached speeds up to 7 knots. Ocean smooth under 1m all day. Got a little choppier at night but backed off by morning.
0400 – Unfurled headsail as winds dropped rapidly. By sunrise wind was 5 knots. Sailed 90nm to the loyalty Islands.
Monday 9th October
Passage from Noumea Harbour to Tanna Island, Vanuatu – Day 3
Slow morning, before sun was up hoisted staysail, Full Genoa and Full main.
NO WIND!! 5 knots SE, Ocean smooth and becoming flat. It took us until lunch 1200 to sail 10nm averaging 2 knots.
Wind slowly increased 0130 to 10 knots SE. Dropped staysail at dusk. Currently travelling at 4.5 knots beam reaching, full main, full Genoa. Wind 10-13 Knots SE.
A current runs through the passage in a N direction between the loyalty islands and our destination Tanna Island, Vanuatu. It is a deep channel 4000 – 6000 meters deep. With little wind it pushed us north without making much ground forward. It is slowing our boat speed, but we are moving well with the wind now. Sailed all night under full main and Genoa. Wind constant 10 – 13 knots all night.
Slow morning, before sun was up hoisted staysail, Full Genoa and Full main.
NO WIND!! 5 knots SE, Ocean smooth and becoming flat. It took us until lunch 1200 to sail 10nm averaging 2 knots.
Wind slowly increased 0130 to 10 knots SE. Dropped staysail at dusk. Currently travelling at 4.5 knots beam reaching, full main, full Genoa. Wind 10-13 Knots SE.
A current runs through the passage in a N direction between the loyalty islands and our destination Tanna Island, Vanuatu. It is a deep channel 4000 – 6000 meters deep. With little wind it pushed us north without making much ground forward. It is slowing our boat speed, but we are moving well with the wind now. Sailed all night under full main and Genoa. Wind constant 10 – 13 knots all night.
Tuesday 10th October
Passage from Noumea Harbour to Tanna Island, Vanuatu – Day 4
Seas still below 1m Wind SE 10 – 13 knots.
Doing calculations and need to average 5 knots to arrive into Lenakel, Tanna Island before dark. Wind increased mid morning to 15 knots SE. Full main, Full Genoa and Staysail. Averaging 6 knots beam reaching. Wind came and went throughout the day. ********* to 8 – 12 knots SE to 15 – 18 knots SE.
Squally showers, 15nm to Lenakel. Dropped staysail and reefed headsail in preparation for strong winds. They never came and the sky cleared. Unfurled headsail and arrived to Lenakel at 1600. We set a good speed all day and it was a very smooth passage crossing. Anchored in 14m sand bottom.
Seas still below 1m Wind SE 10 – 13 knots.
Doing calculations and need to average 5 knots to arrive into Lenakel, Tanna Island before dark. Wind increased mid morning to 15 knots SE. Full main, Full Genoa and Staysail. Averaging 6 knots beam reaching. Wind came and went throughout the day. ********* to 8 – 12 knots SE to 15 – 18 knots SE.
Squally showers, 15nm to Lenakel. Dropped staysail and reefed headsail in preparation for strong winds. They never came and the sky cleared. Unfurled headsail and arrived to Lenakel at 1600. We set a good speed all day and it was a very smooth passage crossing. Anchored in 14m sand bottom.
Wednesday 11th October
Lenakel, Tanna Island, Vanuatu
Very little sleep. Anchorage is open to the ocean. Has protection against the SE winds but open to all swell. Nandji rolled very bad all night and after a long sail we wanted sleep but it did not happen. Checked into customs, very easy. Turns out we could have check in at Port Resolution instead. An anchorage closer to the volcano that is also more protected. Strong SE trade winds from 9am. 30 knots.
Very little sleep. Anchorage is open to the ocean. Has protection against the SE winds but open to all swell. Nandji rolled very bad all night and after a long sail we wanted sleep but it did not happen. Checked into customs, very easy. Turns out we could have check in at Port Resolution instead. An anchorage closer to the volcano that is also more protected. Strong SE trade winds from 9am. 30 knots.
Tuesday 12th October
Very little sleep once more from the rollie anchorage. Awake at 0100.
Decided at 0230 to leave at 0300 and sail to Port Resolution, hoping to get around the bottom of the island before the wind increases too strong.
Set full main and Genoa and sailed out from Lenakel. 2 miles out and the wind increased from 5 knots to 18 knots instantly. Need to sail 24nm on the rhumb line to reach Port Resolution. Heading SE to the bottom headland turning N the W once around top of Island headland and into the bay.
Reefed headsail and eased the main. Boat still overpowered so furled headsail and hoisted staysail. Stayed in this sail combo for entire sail.
Headed out to sea on first tack but seas increasing from 1 meter. Decided to hug the coastline in hope for smoother waters.
Tacked 17 times hugging the coast with increasing winds. Sunrise winds were 20 – 25 knots with gusts up to 28 knots. Seas 2 – 3 m choppy confused seas.
Rounded headland at 1400 after 11 hours of bashing through the seas in strong winds. Average speeds 2.5 knots – 5.5 knots. Choppy water slowed our pace. Nandji felt good on a 15 degree lean, sometimes up to 30 degrees. Good sail combo. I would have liked to reef the main but it worked out good.
Once around headland beam reached up the coast reaching speeds 7.5 knots. Challenging to hand steer with random waves hitting us beam on. One waved breaking on the side sending water into the cockpit.
Made it around NW headland and Gybed heading into skinny bay of Port Resolution. Distance sailed, 50nm. Dropped anchor on sand bottom.
Lots of sailboats in the bay. We took It in turns steering for 1 hour blocks all passage. It was a difficult sail and probably the most challenging yet.
Decided at 0230 to leave at 0300 and sail to Port Resolution, hoping to get around the bottom of the island before the wind increases too strong.
Set full main and Genoa and sailed out from Lenakel. 2 miles out and the wind increased from 5 knots to 18 knots instantly. Need to sail 24nm on the rhumb line to reach Port Resolution. Heading SE to the bottom headland turning N the W once around top of Island headland and into the bay.
Reefed headsail and eased the main. Boat still overpowered so furled headsail and hoisted staysail. Stayed in this sail combo for entire sail.
Headed out to sea on first tack but seas increasing from 1 meter. Decided to hug the coastline in hope for smoother waters.
Tacked 17 times hugging the coast with increasing winds. Sunrise winds were 20 – 25 knots with gusts up to 28 knots. Seas 2 – 3 m choppy confused seas.
Rounded headland at 1400 after 11 hours of bashing through the seas in strong winds. Average speeds 2.5 knots – 5.5 knots. Choppy water slowed our pace. Nandji felt good on a 15 degree lean, sometimes up to 30 degrees. Good sail combo. I would have liked to reef the main but it worked out good.
Once around headland beam reached up the coast reaching speeds 7.5 knots. Challenging to hand steer with random waves hitting us beam on. One waved breaking on the side sending water into the cockpit.
Made it around NW headland and Gybed heading into skinny bay of Port Resolution. Distance sailed, 50nm. Dropped anchor on sand bottom.
Lots of sailboats in the bay. We took It in turns steering for 1 hour blocks all passage. It was a difficult sail and probably the most challenging yet.
Friday 13th October
Port Resolution, Tanna Island, Vanuatu
Picked up anchor and moved south in front of all other boats to hide from the swell and prevent the boat from rocking. Nandji is much more comfortable now with shorter distances to row to shore. Anchored in 5m sand bottom.
Picked up anchor and moved south in front of all other boats to hide from the swell and prevent the boat from rocking. Nandji is much more comfortable now with shorter distances to row to shore. Anchored in 5m sand bottom.
Sunday 15th October
Sailing Port Resolution to Port Villa, Efate Island, Vanuatu – Day 1
Left Port Resolution to sail to Port Villa. Approx. 140nm Sail. We departed at around 1100 and planned to do an overnight sail, expecting the trip to be around 24 hours. Left under full main and headsail, sailing out of the bay. Winds were stronger than expected 20knots SE, Seas choppy, white capping 2 – 2.5m.
Dropped main and poled out headsail heading directly downwind. Nandji surfed down the face of the waves reaching a top speed of 8 knots. Very fun sailing! A little rollie as we were dead downwind but fast. Wind all day and into the night 20 – 25 knots SE.
At dusk we reefed headsail to slow the boat and make it safer in the pitch-black night, no moon. Around 2100 wind completely dropped out to below 5 knots and seas smoothed all over. Around half way to Port Villa, drifting 70nm off of Euramango Island.
Left Port Resolution to sail to Port Villa. Approx. 140nm Sail. We departed at around 1100 and planned to do an overnight sail, expecting the trip to be around 24 hours. Left under full main and headsail, sailing out of the bay. Winds were stronger than expected 20knots SE, Seas choppy, white capping 2 – 2.5m.
Dropped main and poled out headsail heading directly downwind. Nandji surfed down the face of the waves reaching a top speed of 8 knots. Very fun sailing! A little rollie as we were dead downwind but fast. Wind all day and into the night 20 – 25 knots SE.
At dusk we reefed headsail to slow the boat and make it safer in the pitch-black night, no moon. Around 2100 wind completely dropped out to below 5 knots and seas smoothed all over. Around half way to Port Villa, drifting 70nm off of Euramango Island.
Monday 16th October
Sailing Port Resolution to Port Villa, Efate Island, Vanuatu – Day 2
Drifted all night with a flapping headsail. At morning sunlight, furled up headsail and lay a hull waiting for wind. Flat glassy ocean with below 1m seas. No wind all morning. 1200 we could see white caps in the distance, 30 minutes later the white caps were around us and the seas had built to 1 – 1.15m, wind still 5 knots. 15 minutes later wind begun from E, instantly 15 knots. Hoisted full main and full Genoa and was under sail moving again on a beam reach, averaging 6 – 6.5 knots.
Winds increased through the afternoon to 20 – 25 knots.
Realised we would not reach Port Villa until around 10pm at this speed, we slowed the boat and steadily made our approach. Dropped main and continued under reefed headsail. Now sailing at 3 – 4 knots.
4nm’s from land, too many lights and cannot find leads so decided to hove-to and wait for morning light.
Drifted all night with a flapping headsail. At morning sunlight, furled up headsail and lay a hull waiting for wind. Flat glassy ocean with below 1m seas. No wind all morning. 1200 we could see white caps in the distance, 30 minutes later the white caps were around us and the seas had built to 1 – 1.15m, wind still 5 knots. 15 minutes later wind begun from E, instantly 15 knots. Hoisted full main and full Genoa and was under sail moving again on a beam reach, averaging 6 – 6.5 knots.
Winds increased through the afternoon to 20 – 25 knots.
Realised we would not reach Port Villa until around 10pm at this speed, we slowed the boat and steadily made our approach. Dropped main and continued under reefed headsail. Now sailing at 3 – 4 knots.
4nm’s from land, too many lights and cannot find leads so decided to hove-to and wait for morning light.
Tuesday 17th October
Sailing Port Resolution to Port Villa, Efate Island, Vanuatu – Day 3
Hove-to under a slither of headsail. Bow faced downwind and rear quarter pointed into the waves and wind. Felt comfortable and we drifted at this angle creating a slick and no waves broke on the side. Continued 2 hour watches and got some needed sleep. 0400 begun to steadily sail towards the entrance, wind 20 – 25 knots E. Reefed headsail. Just forward of beam reaching moving at 2 – 3 knots. Seas choppy 1 – 1.5m, white-capping conditions.
Once sun was up unfurled full headsail, now sailing at 4.5 – 5.5 knots. Once inside headland seas smoothed out to nearly flat. Wind 20 knots E – SE. Tacked twice inside the bay to reach skinny channel with two markers, the entrance into Port Villa. Port Villa bay is very deep and has lots of reef and some anchoring holes. Dropped anchor in 14m sand bottom around other vessels. Reef less than 10 meters off our stern. Good holding. Engine revving high when started and fluctuating excessively between revs.
Hove-to under a slither of headsail. Bow faced downwind and rear quarter pointed into the waves and wind. Felt comfortable and we drifted at this angle creating a slick and no waves broke on the side. Continued 2 hour watches and got some needed sleep. 0400 begun to steadily sail towards the entrance, wind 20 – 25 knots E. Reefed headsail. Just forward of beam reaching moving at 2 – 3 knots. Seas choppy 1 – 1.5m, white-capping conditions.
Once sun was up unfurled full headsail, now sailing at 4.5 – 5.5 knots. Once inside headland seas smoothed out to nearly flat. Wind 20 knots E – SE. Tacked twice inside the bay to reach skinny channel with two markers, the entrance into Port Villa. Port Villa bay is very deep and has lots of reef and some anchoring holes. Dropped anchor in 14m sand bottom around other vessels. Reef less than 10 meters off our stern. Good holding. Engine revving high when started and fluctuating excessively between revs.
September 2017 - Surfing New Caledonia
30th August to 1st September 30th August to 1st September
Kuto Bay, Isle of Pines, New Caledonia
Anchored in Kuto bay whilst we used Wi-Fi to work on Sailing Nandji.
Winds E then shifted to SW on 1st September. Comfortable anchorage until the winds turned SW. Big sandy bay and can anchor reasonably close to shore under 150m. Crystal clear water.
Anchored in Kuto bay whilst we used Wi-Fi to work on Sailing Nandji.
Winds E then shifted to SW on 1st September. Comfortable anchorage until the winds turned SW. Big sandy bay and can anchor reasonably close to shore under 150m. Crystal clear water.
2nd September 2017
Kuto Bay to Baie Kanumera, Isle of Pines, New Caledonia
0800 – 3227.3 engine hours
Winds yesterday turned SW and midnight last night reached 25 knots.
Kuto bay anchorage at Isle De Pins is very open to the SW and was unpleasant nights sleep. Moved this morning around the corner to Baie Kanumera near the sacred rock. More protected from the SW. Read the anchorage can be rollie, a little swell wrapping around the point but currently protected by the reef as the tide is dropping. Winds expected to be 25 knots SW in the next 2 days. Sailed out of Kuto bay under reefed headsail. Winds 15 – 20 knots SW. Close Hauled at 3.5 knots, beam reached at 5.5 knots and run into bay doing 5.5 knots. Anchored in 7m sand bottom, good hold and we feel much safer leaving the boat alone here.
Outboard – Merc 6
Having outboard motor issues, outboard struggles to idle, can still run high though when in neutral. Once put in gear, will not rev high. Engine only puts full throttle in gear. Thought it was lacking fuel. No blockage in the lines. Fuel pump is ok. Fuel to carborator. Took off cable and sump was clean. Float valve in carborator was fine. Cleaned Carby and re-installed.
*Broke one of two bolts that hold the Carby to the engine, Still one on there.
Engine still runs like shit…. Think it may be a compression issue.
Installed new LED light in cockpit.
0800 – 3227.3 engine hours
Winds yesterday turned SW and midnight last night reached 25 knots.
Kuto bay anchorage at Isle De Pins is very open to the SW and was unpleasant nights sleep. Moved this morning around the corner to Baie Kanumera near the sacred rock. More protected from the SW. Read the anchorage can be rollie, a little swell wrapping around the point but currently protected by the reef as the tide is dropping. Winds expected to be 25 knots SW in the next 2 days. Sailed out of Kuto bay under reefed headsail. Winds 15 – 20 knots SW. Close Hauled at 3.5 knots, beam reached at 5.5 knots and run into bay doing 5.5 knots. Anchored in 7m sand bottom, good hold and we feel much safer leaving the boat alone here.
Outboard – Merc 6
Having outboard motor issues, outboard struggles to idle, can still run high though when in neutral. Once put in gear, will not rev high. Engine only puts full throttle in gear. Thought it was lacking fuel. No blockage in the lines. Fuel pump is ok. Fuel to carborator. Took off cable and sump was clean. Float valve in carborator was fine. Cleaned Carby and re-installed.
*Broke one of two bolts that hold the Carby to the engine, Still one on there.
Engine still runs like shit…. Think it may be a compression issue.
Installed new LED light in cockpit.
4th September 2017
Kanumera bay to Gadji, New Caledonia
Left Kanumera Bay to sail to the North Corner of Isle de pines, a place called Gadji. Light 7 – 10 knots E – SE breeze. Started full sail, main, genoa, and staysail.
The waypoints to navigate between the reefs close to the island needed more water; tide was dropping and was around high tide when we left. Decided to sail around the outside of reef and enter through a pass. Changed sails to go directly downwind. Dropped main and staysail. Poled out headsail. Decided to try double headsail for the first time. Poled out furling genoa on port side. Put boom out to starboard and attached a block to the end. Hoisted second headsail on spinnaker halyard. Used a strop to lift tack same height as furling headsail. Ran sheet through the block on boom to the toe railing aft of winch then onto the winch. Worked really well! Nandji steered very easily and held her line well. Average 5.5 – 6 knots in fewer than 10 knots wind. A good sail combo that could work well crossing an ocean I think. Will use this combo in open water as it takes time to set up. Dropping the sail I had problems as I let go of the spinnaker halyard and the whole sail dropped, pulling the halyard through the block on top of the mast. Needed to gently lower sail. Top half of sail went into the water but was easily retrieved. Entered into the lagoon through a small gap in the reef. W – SW of Gadji. Pass was under 100m wide. Tide still running out and lots of water movement. Could see current from 500m away. Left headsail up and wind 90 degrees on the beam. Turned on the engine and motor sailed into the current. Nandji did not get pushed around as much as I thought and it looked worse than it actually was. ¾ of the way through the pass our speed slowed to 2.5 knots. Made it through relatively easily and once clear of the reef and current Nandjis speed resumed to 5.5 – 6 knots. Turned off engine and sailed with only headsail. Wind 10 – 15 knots E. Half way across lagoon wind dropped to below 5 knots for 20 minutes. About to start engine then wind begun straight away at 15 knots NE. We were heading NE to reach Gadji so changed course to N. Tacked 5 times sailing under headsail to get within 1nm of our anchorage entrance. Lots of reef to avoid. Furled headsail and motored last 1 – 1.15nms to the anchorage.
Anchorage entrance requires 5 waypoints.
Cut the corner of waypoint three to avoid a bombie. Entrance was a dogleg into a small lagoon surrounded by little rock islands. Anchored in 3m of crystal clear water. Sand bottom on top of rock, holding is not very good. Put out extra chain just in case. 30m anchor scope. Dived on anchor and it is set but not wedged deep into the sand. Light weather expected for the next few days so should be fine. Engine hours at end of day 3230.3 hours.
Left Kanumera Bay to sail to the North Corner of Isle de pines, a place called Gadji. Light 7 – 10 knots E – SE breeze. Started full sail, main, genoa, and staysail.
The waypoints to navigate between the reefs close to the island needed more water; tide was dropping and was around high tide when we left. Decided to sail around the outside of reef and enter through a pass. Changed sails to go directly downwind. Dropped main and staysail. Poled out headsail. Decided to try double headsail for the first time. Poled out furling genoa on port side. Put boom out to starboard and attached a block to the end. Hoisted second headsail on spinnaker halyard. Used a strop to lift tack same height as furling headsail. Ran sheet through the block on boom to the toe railing aft of winch then onto the winch. Worked really well! Nandji steered very easily and held her line well. Average 5.5 – 6 knots in fewer than 10 knots wind. A good sail combo that could work well crossing an ocean I think. Will use this combo in open water as it takes time to set up. Dropping the sail I had problems as I let go of the spinnaker halyard and the whole sail dropped, pulling the halyard through the block on top of the mast. Needed to gently lower sail. Top half of sail went into the water but was easily retrieved. Entered into the lagoon through a small gap in the reef. W – SW of Gadji. Pass was under 100m wide. Tide still running out and lots of water movement. Could see current from 500m away. Left headsail up and wind 90 degrees on the beam. Turned on the engine and motor sailed into the current. Nandji did not get pushed around as much as I thought and it looked worse than it actually was. ¾ of the way through the pass our speed slowed to 2.5 knots. Made it through relatively easily and once clear of the reef and current Nandjis speed resumed to 5.5 – 6 knots. Turned off engine and sailed with only headsail. Wind 10 – 15 knots E. Half way across lagoon wind dropped to below 5 knots for 20 minutes. About to start engine then wind begun straight away at 15 knots NE. We were heading NE to reach Gadji so changed course to N. Tacked 5 times sailing under headsail to get within 1nm of our anchorage entrance. Lots of reef to avoid. Furled headsail and motored last 1 – 1.15nms to the anchorage.
Anchorage entrance requires 5 waypoints.
Cut the corner of waypoint three to avoid a bombie. Entrance was a dogleg into a small lagoon surrounded by little rock islands. Anchored in 3m of crystal clear water. Sand bottom on top of rock, holding is not very good. Put out extra chain just in case. 30m anchor scope. Dived on anchor and it is set but not wedged deep into the sand. Light weather expected for the next few days so should be fine. Engine hours at end of day 3230.3 hours.
Friday 8th September
Departing Gadji, heading to Baie de Prony, New Caledonia
Left Gadji bright and early with no wind. Motored from anchorage to reef pass, 6nm with a full main. Went through a pass further north than the one we entered through to the lagoon, as it was a bit wider and deeper. Pass between reefs Koniavanengie and Oma Kuie. Lots of small reefs to avoid and breaking waves as we headed NW towards the mainland and Baie de Prony.
A little breeze appeared around 11am and turned off engine and went full sail. Genoa, staysail and Main. Sailed at 3 knots for an hour.
Motor sailed with this combo until 1330 when the wind picked up a little more 7 – 10 knots SE.
Dropped staysail as it shielded the genoa too much in the light breeze wen the wind went behind 90 degrees to the beam. Sailed into Baie de Prony at around 1600. Anchored just around the corner of the reef in the first bay in 11m of water close to shore. A calm night with no wind. Engine hours at end of day 3237.5 hours.
Left Gadji bright and early with no wind. Motored from anchorage to reef pass, 6nm with a full main. Went through a pass further north than the one we entered through to the lagoon, as it was a bit wider and deeper. Pass between reefs Koniavanengie and Oma Kuie. Lots of small reefs to avoid and breaking waves as we headed NW towards the mainland and Baie de Prony.
A little breeze appeared around 11am and turned off engine and went full sail. Genoa, staysail and Main. Sailed at 3 knots for an hour.
Motor sailed with this combo until 1330 when the wind picked up a little more 7 – 10 knots SE.
Dropped staysail as it shielded the genoa too much in the light breeze wen the wind went behind 90 degrees to the beam. Sailed into Baie de Prony at around 1600. Anchored just around the corner of the reef in the first bay in 11m of water close to shore. A calm night with no wind. Engine hours at end of day 3237.5 hours.
Saturday 9th September 2017
Wind has swung to SW around 10 -15 knots through the night.
Engine hours 3237.5 hours.
Fuel dip – 145 litres in tank – 2 x 20 litres on deck
Needed to add 200ml coolant to engine again. A little bit of water in bilge again. I cleaned the bilge 2 days ago. Think we are getting a slight leak through the cutlass. Need to have a look at both issues once back in Noumea.
Engine hours 3237.5 hours.
Fuel dip – 145 litres in tank – 2 x 20 litres on deck
Needed to add 200ml coolant to engine again. A little bit of water in bilge again. I cleaned the bilge 2 days ago. Think we are getting a slight leak through the cutlass. Need to have a look at both issues once back in Noumea.
Friday 15th September 2017
Noumea to Ilot N’ge
Left Noumea at around 1300, Gentle SW wind 2 – 8 knots
Sailed under full sail – genoa, main and staysail and headed on a NW course. Tacked 3 times and arrived at Ilot N’ge at dark. Left the marina at the same time as a 48-foot ketch. They had sails – 4 sails up and Nandji overtook them. First overtake for Nandji. Picked up mooring at Ilot N’ge.
Left Noumea at around 1300, Gentle SW wind 2 – 8 knots
Sailed under full sail – genoa, main and staysail and headed on a NW course. Tacked 3 times and arrived at Ilot N’ge at dark. Left the marina at the same time as a 48-foot ketch. They had sails – 4 sails up and Nandji overtook them. First overtake for Nandji. Picked up mooring at Ilot N’ge.
Saturday 16th September 2017
Ilot N’ge to Ilet Tenia, New Caledonia.
Left Ilot N’ge at 1000. Let go of mooring and put out a little bit of headsail to steer us away from the reef. Wind blew the bow around before pulling out sail.
Wind 15 – 20 knots SE. Wind picked up around 1am and I got up twice to check the mooring was ok. A perfect wind for sailing up the coast on a NW course. Unfurled full headsail and travelled at 6 knots. Gybed once to avoid reef, then furled and gybed once more. Then put spinnaker pole on headsail and unfurled full genoa. Sailed dead down wind at 6.5 knots.
Adjusted course a few times to avoid reef. Wind picked up through the afternoon, after lunch it was 20 – 25 knots SE, Hit speeds of 7.5 knots. Approached St Vincent’s passage, a skinny channel between reefs so furled headsail to reduce speed and have more control through the channel.
Did well to make ground to the W to avoid reef and get around a marker with headsail still poled out. After passing through the skinny channel, dropped out the pole, gybed and sailed under reefed headsail towards St Vincent’s pass to check on wave potential.
Wind increasing 25 – 30 knots SE so furled sail a little more. (Another wrap) Waves looked really long and potential to be really good. Hopefully wind calms and can surf in the morning.
Sailed across the pass and around the reef of Ilet Tenia. Had to head around marine park marker then back S – SW towards island into anchorage to avoid sand bar. Shallow sand anchorage. Dropped anchor in 3m. 30m of chain out as wind is 25 – 30 knots SE. Anchorage is reasonably non-rollie being so close to the outer reef and strong winds.
Left Ilot N’ge at 1000. Let go of mooring and put out a little bit of headsail to steer us away from the reef. Wind blew the bow around before pulling out sail.
Wind 15 – 20 knots SE. Wind picked up around 1am and I got up twice to check the mooring was ok. A perfect wind for sailing up the coast on a NW course. Unfurled full headsail and travelled at 6 knots. Gybed once to avoid reef, then furled and gybed once more. Then put spinnaker pole on headsail and unfurled full genoa. Sailed dead down wind at 6.5 knots.
Adjusted course a few times to avoid reef. Wind picked up through the afternoon, after lunch it was 20 – 25 knots SE, Hit speeds of 7.5 knots. Approached St Vincent’s passage, a skinny channel between reefs so furled headsail to reduce speed and have more control through the channel.
Did well to make ground to the W to avoid reef and get around a marker with headsail still poled out. After passing through the skinny channel, dropped out the pole, gybed and sailed under reefed headsail towards St Vincent’s pass to check on wave potential.
Wind increasing 25 – 30 knots SE so furled sail a little more. (Another wrap) Waves looked really long and potential to be really good. Hopefully wind calms and can surf in the morning.
Sailed across the pass and around the reef of Ilet Tenia. Had to head around marine park marker then back S – SW towards island into anchorage to avoid sand bar. Shallow sand anchorage. Dropped anchor in 3m. 30m of chain out as wind is 25 – 30 knots SE. Anchorage is reasonably non-rollie being so close to the outer reef and strong winds.
Sunday 17th September 2017
Ilot Tenia to St Vincent's pass, Surfing New Caledonia
Motored from Ilot Tenia anchorage to the other side of the island and to St Vincent’s pass. Wind under 5 knots variable. Anchored 100m from the end of the reef, tucked in behind outer reef. 7m deep sand bottom. Strong tidal current but good and protected, no swell and was not rollie.
Surfed the left, took tender to the point and anchored on reef amongst 5 other run-abouts. 5m deep.
St Vincent’s left – A long wave, was double overhead and had plenty of power. No real sections and a bit fat. Easy take off and lots of cutbacks. Strong current on incoming tide.
Wind slowly increased all afternoon to maximum 15 knots SE. Sailed under headsail only back to Ilot Tenia anchorage. Motored much closer to the island this time. Passed between 2 bombies and anchored between spit island reef and bombies – 3m sand bottom. 25m chain out.
2100 – wind has dropped right out once more. Will surf in the morning again.
Motored from Ilot Tenia anchorage to the other side of the island and to St Vincent’s pass. Wind under 5 knots variable. Anchored 100m from the end of the reef, tucked in behind outer reef. 7m deep sand bottom. Strong tidal current but good and protected, no swell and was not rollie.
Surfed the left, took tender to the point and anchored on reef amongst 5 other run-abouts. 5m deep.
St Vincent’s left – A long wave, was double overhead and had plenty of power. No real sections and a bit fat. Easy take off and lots of cutbacks. Strong current on incoming tide.
Wind slowly increased all afternoon to maximum 15 knots SE. Sailed under headsail only back to Ilot Tenia anchorage. Motored much closer to the island this time. Passed between 2 bombies and anchored between spit island reef and bombies – 3m sand bottom. 25m chain out.
2100 – wind has dropped right out once more. Will surf in the morning again.
Monday 18th September 2017
Ilot Tenia to Ile Lebris, New Caledonia
Winds picked up at around 3am and at daylight was blowing 15 – 20 knots SE. No Point in surfing so slept in. Decided to head further up the coast to find the wave Ouano. 2 passes further NW.
Sailed off anchor with the headsail. Reefed headsail all the way to our next anchorage behind Ile Lebris. Was going to head into the village of Ouano but wind too strong to motor through skinny channel so continued to Ile Lebris. First anchorage behind point was still strong bullet winds and deep water 14m plus. Went around little island and into the next bay between cut-outs in the reef.
Wind picked up during sail to 22 – 28 knots SE. Had to gybe a number of times to reach waypoints between reefs. Anchored in sand/mud bottom 12m, 55m scope and holding firm.
The wave here that I really want to surf – Ouano – is a short sail to the reef pass approx. 3 – 5nm from the anchorage.
There is quite a few houses and huts on the hills looking into the bay where we are anchored. Will head into the town anchorage on other side of island in following days.
Engine hours – 3248.4 hours
Added 200ml coolant to heat exchange this morning. It is time I inspected closer for an external leak.
Winds picked up at around 3am and at daylight was blowing 15 – 20 knots SE. No Point in surfing so slept in. Decided to head further up the coast to find the wave Ouano. 2 passes further NW.
Sailed off anchor with the headsail. Reefed headsail all the way to our next anchorage behind Ile Lebris. Was going to head into the village of Ouano but wind too strong to motor through skinny channel so continued to Ile Lebris. First anchorage behind point was still strong bullet winds and deep water 14m plus. Went around little island and into the next bay between cut-outs in the reef.
Wind picked up during sail to 22 – 28 knots SE. Had to gybe a number of times to reach waypoints between reefs. Anchored in sand/mud bottom 12m, 55m scope and holding firm.
The wave here that I really want to surf – Ouano – is a short sail to the reef pass approx. 3 – 5nm from the anchorage.
There is quite a few houses and huts on the hills looking into the bay where we are anchored. Will head into the town anchorage on other side of island in following days.
Engine hours – 3248.4 hours
Added 200ml coolant to heat exchange this morning. It is time I inspected closer for an external leak.
Tuesday 19th September 2017
Wind dropped out early in morning and woke up to Garry glass off. Anchorage was very calm and anchor held strong. Had difficulty trying to dislodge from the grey clay bottom.
Motored 2 – 3nm out to the pass Ouari to surf the wave Ouano. Pumping left with good sections. A good 6-foot with bigger random bombs. An easy take-off on the peak, can throw over a bit at the take-off. Wave goes a little fat through the middle. Then on the inside on the right one, it hits the reef and you can setup for a long barrel section. A good wave!!
Anchored in 4m sand with random coral bombies around. We are behind the outer reef and inside Small Island that you must anchor 200m away from. Quite choppy anchorage as the water comes over the reef. Wind picked up in afternoon, 20 knots SE Trades. Very rollie at night and not the most comfortable anchorage.
Outboard on tender is struggling to get fuel again. Think it may be the fuel pump. Will pull apart again.
Motored 2 – 3nm out to the pass Ouari to surf the wave Ouano. Pumping left with good sections. A good 6-foot with bigger random bombs. An easy take-off on the peak, can throw over a bit at the take-off. Wave goes a little fat through the middle. Then on the inside on the right one, it hits the reef and you can setup for a long barrel section. A good wave!!
Anchored in 4m sand with random coral bombies around. We are behind the outer reef and inside Small Island that you must anchor 200m away from. Quite choppy anchorage as the water comes over the reef. Wind picked up in afternoon, 20 knots SE Trades. Very rollie at night and not the most comfortable anchorage.
Outboard on tender is struggling to get fuel again. Think it may be the fuel pump. Will pull apart again.
Wednesday 20th September 2017
Surfing Ouano – New Caledonia
Moved Nandji closer to the reef and the wave so we don’t have to tender as far. Anchored in 5m sand bottom random coral bombies around boat. Morning wind less than 5 knots and gradually increased to 5 – 10 knots SE by lunch. Surfed Ouano all morning – PUMPING!! 4 – 6 foot.
Moved Nandji closer to the reef and the wave so we don’t have to tender as far. Anchored in 5m sand bottom random coral bombies around boat. Morning wind less than 5 knots and gradually increased to 5 – 10 knots SE by lunch. Surfed Ouano all morning – PUMPING!! 4 – 6 foot.
Thursday 21st September 2017
Surfing Ouano – New Caledonia
At high tide anchorage gets very rollie and Bucky. Approx. 1.5 – 2 hours either side of high. Comfortable anchorage otherwise. Close to the wave and no one around. Wind less than 10 knots all day. Calm morning and afternoon trade breeze SE.
Swell dropped off and small 2- 3 foot waves with the odd bigger one.
At high tide anchorage gets very rollie and Bucky. Approx. 1.5 – 2 hours either side of high. Comfortable anchorage otherwise. Close to the wave and no one around. Wind less than 10 knots all day. Calm morning and afternoon trade breeze SE.
Swell dropped off and small 2- 3 foot waves with the odd bigger one.
Friday 22nd September 2017
Surfing Ouano – New Caledonia
High tide sucks at this anchorage!! But it is worth it being so close to the wave. Swell picked up overnight. 6-foot waves with 8 foot sets, easily double overhead. At low tide the inside section gets very round and a big barrel to be had. A couple of try hard locals today, I waved at them from the tender and they gave me the finger. Quite funny, I got some really good barrels on the inside section, best waves I have had for a long time.
Wind still calm for the next few days, will stay one more night at this anchorage. Then head in tomorrow afternoon with the trade wind. That is the current plan. Hopefully get the forecasted NE wind on Sunday to sail south.
High tide sucks at this anchorage!! But it is worth it being so close to the wave. Swell picked up overnight. 6-foot waves with 8 foot sets, easily double overhead. At low tide the inside section gets very round and a big barrel to be had. A couple of try hard locals today, I waved at them from the tender and they gave me the finger. Quite funny, I got some really good barrels on the inside section, best waves I have had for a long time.
Wind still calm for the next few days, will stay one more night at this anchorage. Then head in tomorrow afternoon with the trade wind. That is the current plan. Hopefully get the forecasted NE wind on Sunday to sail south.
Saturday 23rd September 2017
Really calm morning with less than 5 knots variable. Swell picked up through the night but a little wobbly. A secondary swell has put a side wobble to a few waves and moving the peak around. Solid 8 foot with sets of 10. Some real wide ones would come through, not a good day to be caught inside. I was first in the water and second tender there. Being the weekend I wanted to go early and beat the crowd. By 0830 5 boats were anchored, I got out the water around 0900 after surfing since 0600. Sat and watched for a couple of hours, always 20+ people in the water and approx. 12 boats anchored. Wind increased to 10 – 15 knots SE by 1200 and sailed into small anchorage called Ouano under full Genoa only.
Entrance very skinny through the reef well marked entrance with many port and starboard markers. Anchored in 5m sandy mud. Good holding. Anchorage has bins and free water. A good little beach to tender into. A surf camp has opened with a restaurant and bar – Expensive though!! There is a boat ramp where everyone launches their vessels to go surfing. Plenty of grumpy locals on shore. Wind increased to 20+ knots SE through the afternoon then dropping out through the night. Good hold and calm anchorage. Felt like we were on a lake.
Entrance very skinny through the reef well marked entrance with many port and starboard markers. Anchored in 5m sandy mud. Good holding. Anchorage has bins and free water. A good little beach to tender into. A surf camp has opened with a restaurant and bar – Expensive though!! There is a boat ramp where everyone launches their vessels to go surfing. Plenty of grumpy locals on shore. Wind increased to 20+ knots SE through the afternoon then dropping out through the night. Good hold and calm anchorage. Felt like we were on a lake.
Sunday 24th September 2017
Will start heading back down the coast towards Noumea to prepare to leave the country. Woke up to a full glassy ocean with not a breath of wind. Started motoring out the entrance and towards the pass with a wreck on the reef. Pass D’Isle supposedly a good right-hander that is heavily localised.
Wind increasing 8 – 13 knots SE. Full sail Genoa, staysail and main. Guided out of the pass with the dropping tide. Was hoping to reach the next pass St Vincent but the wind got too strong.
Headed offshore – 6nm on first tack. Full sail still. Wind increased to 15 knots SE on the following tack we had roughly 14nm to the pass. Seas around 1 -1.5m increasing. Swell 1m.
Once on starboard tack towards pass, winds continuing to increase to 20+ knots SE. Dropped staysail. Seas increasing to 1.5m choppy and lots of whitecaps. Nandji was leaning to 25 degrees with wind 45- 60 degrees, speed slowed to 3 knots because of the choppy seas. Nandji banged and bounced and would not cut through. Turned engine on to try to cut through the sea better. Had to change course so wind more on beam around 60 – 70 degrees to try and combat speed and bounce.
After half an hour decided to turn around as our current course would mean another tack out to sea to try and make the entrance into the lagoon.
Turned off engine, furled headsail dropped main and unfurled full headsail on a run towards pass D’Isie. Seas around 2 meters, Short choppy waves. Nandji hit speeds of 8.2 knots surfing down a wave.
Entered back through a pass, reaching with genoa. Remained under full genoa only and headed S towards a little island to anchor behind. At least we still made ground down the coast. Anchored behind Isle Isie in 5m, rocky bottom.
SE wind dropped out by 1900 and a gentle less than 5 knot NE breeze began. Very tired so decided to sleep and get up early instead of keep going.
Wind increasing 8 – 13 knots SE. Full sail Genoa, staysail and main. Guided out of the pass with the dropping tide. Was hoping to reach the next pass St Vincent but the wind got too strong.
Headed offshore – 6nm on first tack. Full sail still. Wind increased to 15 knots SE on the following tack we had roughly 14nm to the pass. Seas around 1 -1.5m increasing. Swell 1m.
Once on starboard tack towards pass, winds continuing to increase to 20+ knots SE. Dropped staysail. Seas increasing to 1.5m choppy and lots of whitecaps. Nandji was leaning to 25 degrees with wind 45- 60 degrees, speed slowed to 3 knots because of the choppy seas. Nandji banged and bounced and would not cut through. Turned engine on to try to cut through the sea better. Had to change course so wind more on beam around 60 – 70 degrees to try and combat speed and bounce.
After half an hour decided to turn around as our current course would mean another tack out to sea to try and make the entrance into the lagoon.
Turned off engine, furled headsail dropped main and unfurled full headsail on a run towards pass D’Isie. Seas around 2 meters, Short choppy waves. Nandji hit speeds of 8.2 knots surfing down a wave.
Entered back through a pass, reaching with genoa. Remained under full genoa only and headed S towards a little island to anchor behind. At least we still made ground down the coast. Anchored behind Isle Isie in 5m, rocky bottom.
SE wind dropped out by 1900 and a gentle less than 5 knot NE breeze began. Very tired so decided to sleep and get up early instead of keep going.
Monday 25th September 2017
Isle Isie to Isle Ronde – heading back to Noumea, New Caledonia
Left anchorage at sunrise. No wind, glassy ocean. Motored with full main for an hour, then pulled out Genoa and hoisted staysail. Motor sailed for another 1 hour until wind picked up enough to sail. Wind begun a gentle E 5 knots throughout the day, it gradually increased and swung E to S to SW then back to a SE reaching 25 knots in the afternoon.
Sailed under 3 sails for majority of the day. Dropped staysail when wind reached 20 knots. The lagoon became choppy and I opted to keep more sail to counteract the chop. Nandji on a lean at 30+ degrees for a couple of hours. Eventually having enough of banging into the seas and leaning so far over we stopped at a small island and anchored. Isle Ronde (Grand Pandanus on Ile Ndue) Anchored in 6m sandy, weedy bottom.
Wind dropped out completely once again around 2000. Good days sail and covered around 40nm down the coast towards Noumea. Lots of reef to dodge but wind let us through without having to tack or alter course too often.
Left anchorage at sunrise. No wind, glassy ocean. Motored with full main for an hour, then pulled out Genoa and hoisted staysail. Motor sailed for another 1 hour until wind picked up enough to sail. Wind begun a gentle E 5 knots throughout the day, it gradually increased and swung E to S to SW then back to a SE reaching 25 knots in the afternoon.
Sailed under 3 sails for majority of the day. Dropped staysail when wind reached 20 knots. The lagoon became choppy and I opted to keep more sail to counteract the chop. Nandji on a lean at 30+ degrees for a couple of hours. Eventually having enough of banging into the seas and leaning so far over we stopped at a small island and anchored. Isle Ronde (Grand Pandanus on Ile Ndue) Anchored in 6m sandy, weedy bottom.
Wind dropped out completely once again around 2000. Good days sail and covered around 40nm down the coast towards Noumea. Lots of reef to dodge but wind let us through without having to tack or alter course too often.
Tuesday 26th September 2017
Engine hours 3257.3 hours
August 2017 - Southern lagoon & Ilse de Pins, New Caledonia
Tuesday 29th August
Wind 10-15 knots SE. Overcast and cloudy day once again.
Set up to catch water on deck. Tied tarp to ballistrating to catch water and laid Bonita’s weights on top. Made a funnel and tubing to guide water into starboard water tank. No rain yet but hopefully something comes. Getting rather low in the tanks.
Moved closer to shore and more S in Kuto bay as other boats left. Now anchored in 5m sand bottom, closer to the restaurant and bar on the beach. 35m chain out and seems to be excellent holding in the sand. Quite a few boats in the bay.
Set up to catch water on deck. Tied tarp to ballistrating to catch water and laid Bonita’s weights on top. Made a funnel and tubing to guide water into starboard water tank. No rain yet but hopefully something comes. Getting rather low in the tanks.
Moved closer to shore and more S in Kuto bay as other boats left. Now anchored in 5m sand bottom, closer to the restaurant and bar on the beach. 35m chain out and seems to be excellent holding in the sand. Quite a few boats in the bay.
Monday 28th August
Left bright and early as did not sleep much. NE wind blew all night leaving us hanging lee to shore. Not a good position to be in when on anchor. Plan to sail to Ilse de Pins today. Roughly a 45nm sail on the rhum line. Wind NE 15-20 knots in morning. Sailed under full main and full genoa.
To avoid reef and islands, we want to head on a NE course until out of lagoon then change course E-SE to Kuto bay, Ilse de Pins.
As wind was coming from NE, we had to tack our way N then E. We made 4 tacks to avoid reef and reach our waypoint to change course E-SE. Drizzly rain all morning. Wind dropped all morning until lunch when shifted more E to <10 knots. Changed course earlier then we wanted and hoisted stay sail. Now sailing full sail, genoa, staysail and full main. Rain begun more heavily and all afternoon had squally raining conditions. Wind remained <10 knots until 1300. Turned on engine and motor sailed for a couple of hours. Batteries really needed a charge as over cast conditions and rainy day.
Eventually wind shifted S to SE and picked up to a consistant 12-15knots. Turned engine off and altered course E. This course was perfect for us to enter between the out laying reef into Kuto bay, Ilse de Pins.
We saw whales that followed <50m off Nandji stern.
The rain became heavy and consistant until we reached the entrance of the bay where it finally stopped. We had a pod of dolphins over 1000 dolphins all around Nandji. They jumped, flipped and spun all around Nandji with over 100 at a time bow riding Nandji. They formed waves as they breached out the water. An amazing sight.
We sailed full sail – main, genoa and staysail into bay until wind disappeared roughly 3nm out of Kuto bay. Dropped all sail and motored into bay and dropped anchor at 1750 with the last bits of light.
Anchored in 7m sand bottom behind the other sailing boats in southern end of the bay.
To avoid reef and islands, we want to head on a NE course until out of lagoon then change course E-SE to Kuto bay, Ilse de Pins.
As wind was coming from NE, we had to tack our way N then E. We made 4 tacks to avoid reef and reach our waypoint to change course E-SE. Drizzly rain all morning. Wind dropped all morning until lunch when shifted more E to <10 knots. Changed course earlier then we wanted and hoisted stay sail. Now sailing full sail, genoa, staysail and full main. Rain begun more heavily and all afternoon had squally raining conditions. Wind remained <10 knots until 1300. Turned on engine and motor sailed for a couple of hours. Batteries really needed a charge as over cast conditions and rainy day.
Eventually wind shifted S to SE and picked up to a consistant 12-15knots. Turned engine off and altered course E. This course was perfect for us to enter between the out laying reef into Kuto bay, Ilse de Pins.
We saw whales that followed <50m off Nandji stern.
The rain became heavy and consistant until we reached the entrance of the bay where it finally stopped. We had a pod of dolphins over 1000 dolphins all around Nandji. They jumped, flipped and spun all around Nandji with over 100 at a time bow riding Nandji. They formed waves as they breached out the water. An amazing sight.
We sailed full sail – main, genoa and staysail into bay until wind disappeared roughly 3nm out of Kuto bay. Dropped all sail and motored into bay and dropped anchor at 1750 with the last bits of light.
Anchored in 7m sand bottom behind the other sailing boats in southern end of the bay.
Sunday 27th August
Engine hours – 3221.5 hrs
Fuel dip – 172 litres
0900 – Winds calm <5 knots S-SW.
Went spearing all morning. Returned to NAndji at lunch and looked like weather was changing with a cloud front moving closer. Prepared NAndji to sail tomorrow. Lifted tender onto deck to do some repairs whilst sailing tomorrow.
Winds gently changed S then E by nightfall. I contemplated moving to the other side of island for the night but decided against it and thought we will be right.
Around 2000, winds shifted NE and picked up to around 15 knots. Anchorage was very open to any wind from the N. Became quite choppy very quickly and left Nandji hanging a lee to shore. The reef approximately 30m from Nandji stern. I had bad thoughts that we should have moved and I was angry at myself for not doing what I thought would be best and taking the she will be right option. Kicking myself that we didn’t move. Anchor alarm set.
Did not sleep much and was up every hour checking on anchor. Anchor alarm never went off but I could not sleep thinking about our position and continuously checked. Did not want to move in the dark as lots of reef around.
In future, if I think we need to move, just bloody move!
Fuel dip – 172 litres
0900 – Winds calm <5 knots S-SW.
Went spearing all morning. Returned to NAndji at lunch and looked like weather was changing with a cloud front moving closer. Prepared NAndji to sail tomorrow. Lifted tender onto deck to do some repairs whilst sailing tomorrow.
Winds gently changed S then E by nightfall. I contemplated moving to the other side of island for the night but decided against it and thought we will be right.
Around 2000, winds shifted NE and picked up to around 15 knots. Anchorage was very open to any wind from the N. Became quite choppy very quickly and left Nandji hanging a lee to shore. The reef approximately 30m from Nandji stern. I had bad thoughts that we should have moved and I was angry at myself for not doing what I thought would be best and taking the she will be right option. Kicking myself that we didn’t move. Anchor alarm set.
Did not sleep much and was up every hour checking on anchor. Anchor alarm never went off but I could not sleep thinking about our position and continuously checked. Did not want to move in the dark as lots of reef around.
In future, if I think we need to move, just bloody move!
Saturday 26th August
Left Ilot Kouare and motor sailed, full genoa and full main W to the outer reef, roughly 3 nm. Wind light <5 knots NE. Went searching for waves at two different reef passes.
Only really small swell with little white water on reef, returned to Ilot Kouare and anchored on Eastern side of island. Wind changed SW 3-8 knots. Motored between reef channel on Southern side of island. Channel 6-9m deep, reasonably wide around 50m through the whole channel.
- Passe de Kouare
- Recif Umbea
Only really small swell with little white water on reef, returned to Ilot Kouare and anchored on Eastern side of island. Wind changed SW 3-8 knots. Motored between reef channel on Southern side of island. Channel 6-9m deep, reasonably wide around 50m through the whole channel.
Friday 25th August
Engine hours – 3219.3 hrs after arriving to destination.
Left Ilot Uatio and sailed S to Ilot Kouare. Wind E-NE 13-18 knots. Nandji averaged 6 knots on the sail. Flat ocean in the lagoon and Nandji flew! Was a fun sail with winds on the beam. Roughly 10n S from Ilot Uatio. Caught a Bonito.
Anchored at Ilot Kouare in 5-6m sand bottom. 2 other boats here.
Left Ilot Uatio and sailed S to Ilot Kouare. Wind E-NE 13-18 knots. Nandji averaged 6 knots on the sail. Flat ocean in the lagoon and Nandji flew! Was a fun sail with winds on the beam. Roughly 10n S from Ilot Uatio. Caught a Bonito.
Anchored at Ilot Kouare in 5-6m sand bottom. 2 other boats here.
Tuesday 22nd August
My Birthday!
Left Ilot Mato early in the morning. Wind SE 13-18 knots. Sailed S to Ilot Uatio. Anchored in 9m sand bottom with isolated bombies around. Dived on bombies and anchor to check we had clearance over bombies if we swung over them.
Island is beautiful and we spent three nights here.
Cooked fish in a fire on the beach twice. Lots of good diving. Shot a few trout and missed a massive jobbie because of equipment failure. So frustrated! Very determined to shoot a decent jobbie.
Wind slowly moved more E then NE, leaving us hanging badly on a lee to shore.
Left Ilot Mato early in the morning. Wind SE 13-18 knots. Sailed S to Ilot Uatio. Anchored in 9m sand bottom with isolated bombies around. Dived on bombies and anchor to check we had clearance over bombies if we swung over them.
Island is beautiful and we spent three nights here.
Cooked fish in a fire on the beach twice. Lots of good diving. Shot a few trout and missed a massive jobbie because of equipment failure. So frustrated! Very determined to shoot a decent jobbie.
Wind slowly moved more E then NE, leaving us hanging badly on a lee to shore.
Monday 21st August
Writing this entry on the 25th August, so a little patchy on memory.Wind 20-25 knots S-SE. Went diving all day. Shot tusk fish, coral trout and spangled emporer. Tried leaving lagoon in the afternoon 1500 to sail S to Ilot Uatio, turned around at 1600 as did not want to arrive to new island in the dark. Turned back and anchored inside of Ilot Mato lagoon once again.
Sunday 20th August
0800 – Wild night last night with strong SW winds 30-40 knots. Stayed on anchor watch all night. 2 hour shifts. The iSailor app anchor alarm worked well all night. I trust the positioning but wish it would update data quicker though. Sometimes the app pauses for minutes before sending through wind and location data. Anchor alarm radius set at 55m. Breached the zone twice but definitely did not drag. The accuracy of the app is 5m GPS positioning.
Small choppy white capped waves in the lagoon. Glad I dived on the anchor yesterday for reassurance. Wished all night that I included the second anchor onto the end of the scope instead of using it as weight. Turns out that did not need it, but for peace of mind will do so in the future.
* Anchor held solid all night. Wind still 25 – 35 knots SW.
Small choppy white capped waves in the lagoon. Glad I dived on the anchor yesterday for reassurance. Wished all night that I included the second anchor onto the end of the scope instead of using it as weight. Turns out that did not need it, but for peace of mind will do so in the future.
* Anchor held solid all night. Wind still 25 – 35 knots SW.
Saturday 19th August
Windy night anchored in Ilot Mato lagoon. Winds steadily increased through the night to 20-25 knots W-NW by morning.
Slowly dragged anchor this morning around 10am, I inspected by taking tender out and looking over the side with mask on. Anchor was on side and chain wrapped around the anchor. This preventing the anchor from properly setting. Could see drag marks on the ground. Pulled anchor and moved closer to island for hopefully more protection from the wind.
Anchored in 9m sand bottom. 50m chain out and extra weight at water level once again. Dived on anchor at 1100 to inspect and anchor was well set.
Inspected anchor again at 1500. Looked well set in the sand. Chain in sand.
Expecting strong winds for next 24 hours. Had strong winds all day. 20-30 knots. Started NW this morning and swung more to the S. At 1700 wind SW 25-30 knots. Anchor alarm set.
Slowly dragged anchor this morning around 10am, I inspected by taking tender out and looking over the side with mask on. Anchor was on side and chain wrapped around the anchor. This preventing the anchor from properly setting. Could see drag marks on the ground. Pulled anchor and moved closer to island for hopefully more protection from the wind.
Anchored in 9m sand bottom. 50m chain out and extra weight at water level once again. Dived on anchor at 1100 to inspect and anchor was well set.
Inspected anchor again at 1500. Looked well set in the sand. Chain in sand.
Expecting strong winds for next 24 hours. Had strong winds all day. 20-30 knots. Started NW this morning and swung more to the S. At 1700 wind SW 25-30 knots. Anchor alarm set.
Friday 18th August
Engine hours – 3213.0
Left Noumea at lunch time. Wind W 18-23 knots. Wanted to head north up the coast but wind strong and in the wrong direction. Set sail aiming to reach Ilot Mato island at the top of the Southern lagoon. Approx 28nm SE from Noumea. Sailed under full had sail for majority of the trip. Averaged good speeds around 5.5 knots. Had two way points on the trip to avoid reef. Ocean smooth around half metre seas. Lagoon sailing is fun! Fast, smooth and easy!
With 15nm to go, hoisted stay sail under full genoa. First time sailing in this combo, headsail and stay sail. Wind dropped a little back to 15-18 knots. Was worried we would be overpowered with so much sail on bow but Nandji felt smooth and we were always in control which surprised a little.
Dead down wind for last 6nm to reef entrance. Dropped stay sail and sailed under genoa only. Arrived at Ilot Mato lagoon entrance at 1700. A skinny channel between reef for roughly 200-300m E-SE then tending NE inside lagoon. Anchorage is 360 degree surrounded by reef. Anchored in 9m sand bottom.
Wind 15-20 knots from the W.
50m of chain out. Put extra weight on chain at water level to help maximise the amount of chain on the ground to keep the anchor set. Cloudy day and became dark very quickly. Will dive on anchor tomorrow. Anchor alarm set.
Two other boats in lagoon, need to head further away and get away from other vessels!
Left Noumea at lunch time. Wind W 18-23 knots. Wanted to head north up the coast but wind strong and in the wrong direction. Set sail aiming to reach Ilot Mato island at the top of the Southern lagoon. Approx 28nm SE from Noumea. Sailed under full had sail for majority of the trip. Averaged good speeds around 5.5 knots. Had two way points on the trip to avoid reef. Ocean smooth around half metre seas. Lagoon sailing is fun! Fast, smooth and easy!
With 15nm to go, hoisted stay sail under full genoa. First time sailing in this combo, headsail and stay sail. Wind dropped a little back to 15-18 knots. Was worried we would be overpowered with so much sail on bow but Nandji felt smooth and we were always in control which surprised a little.
Dead down wind for last 6nm to reef entrance. Dropped stay sail and sailed under genoa only. Arrived at Ilot Mato lagoon entrance at 1700. A skinny channel between reef for roughly 200-300m E-SE then tending NE inside lagoon. Anchorage is 360 degree surrounded by reef. Anchored in 9m sand bottom.
Wind 15-20 knots from the W.
50m of chain out. Put extra weight on chain at water level to help maximise the amount of chain on the ground to keep the anchor set. Cloudy day and became dark very quickly. Will dive on anchor tomorrow. Anchor alarm set.
Two other boats in lagoon, need to head further away and get away from other vessels!
Thursday 17th August
Left Ilot Maitre island mooring at 800, headingto Dumbea right to surf. Sailed off mooring. Wind 3-8 knots E-NE.
Raised all sails. Full sail. Main, genoa and stay sail. Remained in this combo for 2 hours. Travelling between 2-3.5 knots. Turned on engine as wind dropped <5 knots. Anchored inside of reef at same place as last time here. 6m sand bottom.
Motor sailed with full genoa and full main back to Noumea in afternoon. Roughly 10nm. Wind <5 knots.
Picked up mooring in harbour across from Port Moselle marina entrance. A private mooring but it was only for one night and I did not want to pull up the anchor in 14m of water. Arrived in the dark around 1830.
Raised all sails. Full sail. Main, genoa and stay sail. Remained in this combo for 2 hours. Travelling between 2-3.5 knots. Turned on engine as wind dropped <5 knots. Anchored inside of reef at same place as last time here. 6m sand bottom.
Motor sailed with full genoa and full main back to Noumea in afternoon. Roughly 10nm. Wind <5 knots.
Picked up mooring in harbour across from Port Moselle marina entrance. A private mooring but it was only for one night and I did not want to pull up the anchor in 14m of water. Arrived in the dark around 1830.
Wednesday 16th August
Finally leaving Noumea and Port moselle marina.
Engine hours – 3208.8
Fuel – 190 litres
Had to put 200ml coolant into heat exchanger. I think there may be a possible leak. Still need to investigate.
Wind 15-20 knots SE. Sailed under reefed headsail short distance S to Ilot Maitre island. Resort Escaplade. Heading to land to use their wifi.
New furling system seemed to work well on the sail and halyard did not wrap.
Engine hours – 3208.8
Fuel – 190 litres
Had to put 200ml coolant into heat exchanger. I think there may be a possible leak. Still need to investigate.
Wind 15-20 knots SE. Sailed under reefed headsail short distance S to Ilot Maitre island. Resort Escaplade. Heading to land to use their wifi.
New furling system seemed to work well on the sail and halyard did not wrap.
Friday 11th August to Tuesday 15th August
In port moselle marina. Furler pulled apart and rebuilt on new forestay over the following days. Tightened the back stays more this time when re tensioning the rigging. Installed a offset on the headsail halyard to prevent the halyard wrap. Hopefully the angle is not to tight and puts to much strain on offset.
Met Jon Sanders, the solo world record holder sailor. He was on his last legs of completing his 10th circumnavigation at 78. An amazing man.
Met Jon Sanders, the solo world record holder sailor. He was on his last legs of completing his 10th circumnavigation at 78. An amazing man.
Thursday 10th August
Put 150ml of coolant in heat exchanger. Need to have a closer look at this and where the coolant is going.
Motored from anchorage into Port Moselle marina for repairs. Removed forestay and furler.
Taken forestay to a place called boneface to get a new one made. Proving difficult to find a replacement forestay with the correct and same fiittings.
Company does not have in stock swaged ends to match, need to modify existing stock as 2 week wait for parts.
Marina has plenty of room to enter into pens but the pens are skinny. <1m between our vessel and the neighbours.
Motored from anchorage into Port Moselle marina for repairs. Removed forestay and furler.
Taken forestay to a place called boneface to get a new one made. Proving difficult to find a replacement forestay with the correct and same fiittings.
Company does not have in stock swaged ends to match, need to modify existing stock as 2 week wait for parts.
Marina has plenty of room to enter into pens but the pens are skinny. <1m between our vessel and the neighbours.
Tuesday 8th August
Engine hrs – 3202.7 hrs
Very Calm morning with <5 knots of wind. Stayed on mooring at Ilot Nge in marine park with very friendly fish. Spangled Emperor, Giant Trevally, Red Bass, Mangrove Jacks, Job fish.
Met people from the Rally who sailed from Australia and bumped into our mates, the Frenchies. Decided to go and surf Dumbea again with the light conditions.
Had to top up coolant in heat exchanger – 200ml. Replaced a bolt holding sea strainer as had fallen out and strainer hanging loose. Oil was fine, must pay attention to oil and leak from main engine seal.
Motoring at 3.5 knots at 1600rpm. Did not surf and returned to Noumea. Anchored back in bay, just off point in harbour.
Engine hours at end of day – 3207.9 hrs
Very Calm morning with <5 knots of wind. Stayed on mooring at Ilot Nge in marine park with very friendly fish. Spangled Emperor, Giant Trevally, Red Bass, Mangrove Jacks, Job fish.
Met people from the Rally who sailed from Australia and bumped into our mates, the Frenchies. Decided to go and surf Dumbea again with the light conditions.
Had to top up coolant in heat exchanger – 200ml. Replaced a bolt holding sea strainer as had fallen out and strainer hanging loose. Oil was fine, must pay attention to oil and leak from main engine seal.
Motoring at 3.5 knots at 1600rpm. Did not surf and returned to Noumea. Anchored back in bay, just off point in harbour.
Engine hours at end of day – 3207.9 hrs
Monday 7th August
Bonita’s Birthday!
Dead Calm day with <5 knots of wind. Left Wood Ilot T’Ndu island under motor.
Engine hours – 3201.5 hrs
Heading 120 degree E-SE at 4 knots. 1600 rpm.
Looking for a sandy cay to relax on for the day. Forecast is predicting light weather all day today and tomorrow.
Dead Calm day with <5 knots of wind. Left Wood Ilot T’Ndu island under motor.
Engine hours – 3201.5 hrs
Heading 120 degree E-SE at 4 knots. 1600 rpm.
Looking for a sandy cay to relax on for the day. Forecast is predicting light weather all day today and tomorrow.
Saturday 5th August
Not much sleep last night. Very rolly anchorage with not much wind. Too much water over reef at high tide and causing small waves in different directions causing Nandji to roll.
E breeze at 10 knots all morning. Took tender and went diving all morning. Saw a wreck on charts and tried to find it. Located near X marker on edge of marine park. Wreck was in 20-25m of water. Top of wreck in 10m. Good dive spot!
Shot a tout, worried about sicotera because of size. 63cm around 3kg.
Left at 1300, hoisted full main and full genoa. Had problems furling headsail. Realised halyard was wrapping on forestay.
* Forestay wires were coming apart and looking weak, huge weak spot and potential to break. Forestay wire was kinked from passage but now wires are parting.
Dropped all sail and changed direction. We were heading north but decided to motor towards Noumea to be on the safe side and to go fix the issue before it got worse or broke.
Motored to a small island – Wood Ilot T’Ndu. On a morring at the island, Bonita’s birthday soon so will stay out and celebrate before heading back into Noumea.
* Forestay does not look good and worried it may break under load. Will motor from here on in until back to Noumea.
Calm evening and anchorage very pleasant. Beautiful beach with a walking jetty. Very busy day stop as close to Noumea. Approx 6nm from Noumea.
E breeze at 10 knots all morning. Took tender and went diving all morning. Saw a wreck on charts and tried to find it. Located near X marker on edge of marine park. Wreck was in 20-25m of water. Top of wreck in 10m. Good dive spot!
Shot a tout, worried about sicotera because of size. 63cm around 3kg.
Left at 1300, hoisted full main and full genoa. Had problems furling headsail. Realised halyard was wrapping on forestay.
* Forestay wires were coming apart and looking weak, huge weak spot and potential to break. Forestay wire was kinked from passage but now wires are parting.
Dropped all sail and changed direction. We were heading north but decided to motor towards Noumea to be on the safe side and to go fix the issue before it got worse or broke.
Motored to a small island – Wood Ilot T’Ndu. On a morring at the island, Bonita’s birthday soon so will stay out and celebrate before heading back into Noumea.
* Forestay does not look good and worried it may break under load. Will motor from here on in until back to Noumea.
Calm evening and anchorage very pleasant. Beautiful beach with a walking jetty. Very busy day stop as close to Noumea. Approx 6nm from Noumea.
Friday 4th August
Up early and motored to inside reef at Dumbea Passe Left. Anchored in a sandy hole on inside of reef in 13m.
Surfed the left, decent wave, tricky wave but would be good on its day. Very section and looks amazing but difficult to make sections. 4-6 foot. 18 people in the line up and thinned to 3 of us after a couple of hours. Strong current on the flooding tide.
Motored from the south side of the passé to the northern side to inspect the right. Anchored inside the reef in a big sandy hole 100m from port marker on reef. Reef both sides and bombies on the entrance. Anchored in 6m.
Very rolly at high tide with no wind as to much water coming over reef. Stayed the night but not much sleep as it was very uncomfy with the roll.
E wind picked up through the night to 10 knots. The roll became less with the wind holding us into the swell. Low tide the anchorage was much more comfortable.
Surfed the left, decent wave, tricky wave but would be good on its day. Very section and looks amazing but difficult to make sections. 4-6 foot. 18 people in the line up and thinned to 3 of us after a couple of hours. Strong current on the flooding tide.
Motored from the south side of the passé to the northern side to inspect the right. Anchored inside the reef in a big sandy hole 100m from port marker on reef. Reef both sides and bombies on the entrance. Anchored in 6m.
Very rolly at high tide with no wind as to much water coming over reef. Stayed the night but not much sleep as it was very uncomfy with the roll.
E wind picked up through the night to 10 knots. The roll became less with the wind holding us into the swell. Low tide the anchorage was much more comfortable.
Thursday 3rd August
1700 – Position – 22 19.528s 166 19.014e
On a morring at Ile Nge (ille Laregnere)
1730 – WE left Noumea around 1400 and sailed W-SW in 10-13 knots of wind.
A short sail from Noumea towards Dumbea passé where in the morning I plan to surf. Roughly 10nm from Noumea. A perfect sail and nothing went wrong!!
Bonita motored and positioned us on the mooring. Her first time attempting this and she nailed it second time around.
Engine hours – 3197.0
Last oil change roughly at 3160 hours
Had to put 300ml coolant into heat exchanger this morning. Oil was low this morning and topped up with 400ml oil. Oil is still clear and did not look black or dirty. Oil leak at main engine seal. Used Lucas oil additive in oil change so hopefully that stops the leak.
Cleaned out water in bilge which had oil in it.
* Check oil, coolant and gearbox levels before EVERY time motoring *
New engine mount and cabling from alternator to isolation switch seem to have fixed any previous problems.
No more rattle now the engine mount is secure. Nandji’s motor is sounding as best as she ever has.
On a morring at Ile Nge (ille Laregnere)
1730 – WE left Noumea around 1400 and sailed W-SW in 10-13 knots of wind.
A short sail from Noumea towards Dumbea passé where in the morning I plan to surf. Roughly 10nm from Noumea. A perfect sail and nothing went wrong!!
Bonita motored and positioned us on the mooring. Her first time attempting this and she nailed it second time around.
Engine hours – 3197.0
Last oil change roughly at 3160 hours
Had to put 300ml coolant into heat exchanger this morning. Oil was low this morning and topped up with 400ml oil. Oil is still clear and did not look black or dirty. Oil leak at main engine seal. Used Lucas oil additive in oil change so hopefully that stops the leak.
Cleaned out water in bilge which had oil in it.
* Check oil, coolant and gearbox levels before EVERY time motoring *
New engine mount and cabling from alternator to isolation switch seem to have fixed any previous problems.
No more rattle now the engine mount is secure. Nandji’s motor is sounding as best as she ever has.