TripSailor.com® Sailing Blogs

A new Post “Day 10 – In the trade winds” was written on the May 28, 2012 at 11:46 am on “S.V. Resolution”.

A much better day today as the winds are much more consistant and from

a better direction. They are supposed to stay like this for a few

days, possibly being a little lighter. This would be good for me! Been

passing the time watching movies and reading, not too much to report

other than that. Still no sign of the sun.

Current Position:

Course: 267 at 5.5 kt

Progress: 131 nm

Wind: 17 kt from 45 deg, cloudy

http://www.svresolution.ca/?p=200

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A new Post “Day 9 – Big waves and shifty winds” was written on the May 27, 2012 at 11:37 am on “S.V. Resolution”.

Just a quick update today. Tired after 30 knot winds last night. Today

shifty winds and big waves make the ride uncomfortable. Hoping for

calmer seas soon.

Current Position:

Course: All over the place, trying to follow the winds

Progress: 140! nm

Wind: 20kt from 60 – 100 deg

http://www.svresolution.ca/?p=199

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A new Post “Day 8 – Broad reach, beam waves, cloudy skies” was written on the May 26, 2012 at 11:15 am on “S.V. Resolution”.

I never expected this much cloud on the trip. Keeping the batteries up

is a real pain and requires running the engine for several hours each

day. My alternator doesn’t put out enough power and was on my to fix

list while in the islands before the next leg of the trip. On the

bright side, I’m making excellent time, ahead of schedule. At this

pace, the crossing could take less than 20 days. Ideally, I need it to

be less than 21 days to avoid arriving in Hilo Friday evening or on

the weekend. Talking to the customs officer by email, he tells me that

their office is only open Monday to Friday and if I arrive outside of

business hours I can call him on his cell and he can either give me a

shore pass to get some food, or order me detained on the boat until

Monday. Fortunately, I only need to average 120 nm per day to get

there on time and my worst day since day 1 has been 130 nm. The winds

have now solidly shifted astern and seem to be getting more

constistant. I expect the waves t

o slowly move astern also over the next day or so. A container ship

passed within 2 nm around dusk yesterday, he appeared on AIS well in

advance so I knew he was coming. Strange seeing another boat for the

first time since leaving Cabo.

Current Position:

Course: 267 at 6.5 kt

Progress: 139 nm

Wind: 18kt at 45 deg

http://www.svresolution.ca/?p=198

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A new Post “Day 7 – Rolley night” was written on the May 25, 2012 at 10:45 am on “S.V. Resolution”.

The winds have steadied from the north, putting them right on my beam.

This can make for an uncomfortable ride when the winds come up like

they did last night. Saw winds 20-25kts, waves were about 10ft right

on my beam. The sails helped keep the boat somewhat steady, but she

was still rolling, especially when a wave would break as it hit the

hull. I was making good time and I knew the waves were not big enough

to be a real hazard, so I holed up in my bunk and waited for it to

pass. Winds this morning are much calmer and are making for the most

pleasant boat motion of the trip so far. Clouds remain and I will be

running the engine a little today to put some power into the

batteries.

Current Position:

Course: 267 at 5.5 kt

Progress: 133 nm

Wind: 8 – 16 kt at 15 deg

http://www.svresolution.ca/?p=197

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A new Post “Day 6 – Clouds clouds go away” was written on the May 24, 2012 at 11:15 am on “S.V. Resolution”.

My batteries need some solar love! I’m seeing some breaks in the

clouds and less shifty winds. I think I’m getting pretty close to the

trade winds with sunny skies and following seas. Life on the boat is

sometimes dull, sometimes uncomfortable, but mostly lazy. I’ve already

been through most of the new movies I brought, and will have to move

onto the classics soon. The kindle has a never ending supply of books

to keep me busy. I’ve also been spending a lot of time thinking about

the trip since leaving Vancouver, thinking about all the cool people

I’ve met and the great experiences I’ve had. The miles continue to

pass under the keel. Progress each day is surprisingly consistent.

First wildlife sighting of the trip, I found a small squid on the

deck, probably splashed up by a wave hitting the hull.

Current Position:

Course: 267 at 5.5 kt

24 hour progress 132 nm

Wind: 10-18 kt, 345 to 15 deg, mostly cloudy

http://www.svresolution.ca/?p=196

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A new Post “Day 5 – Gusty winds keep me busy” was written on the May 23, 2012 at 12:00 pm on “S.V. Resolution”.

For the last 2 days, it has been cloudy with frustrating gusty, shifty

winds. I’m counting down the days until I reach the trade winds.

Current Position:

Course: 267 deg at 5.5kt

24 hour progress: 132 nm

Wind: 6-22kt, 330 to 30 deg, cloudy skies

http://www.svresolution.ca/?p=195

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A new Post “Day 4 – Another day at sea” was written on the May 22, 2012 at 11:44 am on “S.V. Resolution”.

I’m falling into the rhythm of life on a crossing. The wind is great,

though a little gusty and shifty, but the boat is performing well and

making good time. Cloudy skies today.

Current Position:

Course: 267 deg at 5.5 kts

24 hour progress: 130 nm (5.4 kt average)

Wind: 11kt at 7 deg, cloudy skies

http://www.svresolution.ca/?p=194

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A new Post “Day 3 – Back on my feet” was written on the May 21, 2012 at 11:54 am on “S.V. Resolution”.

After a few days of big white caps and steep waves, the winds have

dropped below 15 knots and the waves have spread out a little. Outside

is much drier and pleasant, and my bruises from trying to move around

the boat are healing.

The wind hasn’t shifted too much, and looking at the forecast, I

expect it to take a few days for it to shift astern of the beam.

A note on communication. I have a satellite phone that I bought in

Vancouver before I left. After getting an external antenna, and

finally a email client optimized for satellite connections, I have a

reliable way of reaching the outside world and updating my blog. I

don’t have any way of checking facebook or my blog’s comments, but you

can email me at j*redko at spsmail dot net. Skill testing question is

to replace the * with an a (I can’t afford to start getting spam on

this account).

Current Position:

Course: 267 deg at 5.5kt

24 hour progress: 130nm (5.4 kt average)

Wind: 12kt at 330 deg partially cloudy skies

http://www.svresolution.ca/?p=193

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A new Post “Day 2 – Pointed at Hawaii” was written on the May 20, 2012 at 12:00 pm on “S.V. Resolution”.

The winds continued to shift and I am now pointed right at Hawaii. The

wind is still well ahead of the beam, so it continues to be a rough,

wet ride, but it should get better every day. I’m feeling much better

and can manage to eat and do some light cooking, tough I had to heave

to to make breakfast. I’m sure just as I get used to this motion I’ll

reach the trade winds and everything will feel so calm.

First night was pretty easy, the winds stayed consistent, requiring no

trim or reefing. With the AIS and radar on guard I was able to grab

some sleep.

If you’re wondering why I’m going to Hawaii, it is the nature of

sailing. Sometimes the fastest way to sail somewhere is the longest

route. There is a permanent high pressure system in the Pacific called

the North Pacific High. High pressure systems in the northern

hemisphere generate clockwise winds. This system is the reason the

wind and current are favorable on the trip down the coast, but

fighting upwind, while possible, is dangerous and not fun. Sailing

around the Pacific High clockwise allows boats to sail downwind the

entire way home which is much easier on the boat (and me!).

Current Position:

Course: 265 deg at 6 kt

24 hour progress: 100nm

Wind: 17kt at 333 deg

http://www.svresolution.ca/?p=192

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A new Post “Day 1 – Come on sea legs” was written on the May 19, 2012 at 6:41 pm on “S.V. Resolution”.

Less than an hour after my post this morning the winds did indeed pick

up. The stories of Cabo Falso came true. Strong winds right in your

face no matter which way you are going, steep seas caused by the

sudden increase in winds. Boat and crew take a pounding. I was quickly

facing 25 knot winds gusting to 30. I was soon under a triple reefed

main and half furled jib with water flying everywhere. After 6 months

without rain, I found new leaks in the boat as spray from the waves

flew from the bow to the stern.

After about 10 miles, the strong winds calmed nearly as fast as they

built. However, I’m still close hauled waiting for the winds to shift

north. It is happening slowly, my gps track traces a gentle curve, my

bow pointing closer and closer to Hawaii. I expect to be able to bear

off the wind by the morning and be done with the upwind sailing for

the rest of the trip.

The sudden appearance of the waves caught me a little off guard and I

spent most of the day feeling under the weather and trying to keep my

lunch down. This should be the most uncomfortable day of the trip; I’m

looking forward to the tradewinds pushing me along instead of having

to fight my way away from the coast.

Current Position:

(look on the location map to see this plotted on

the map)

heading 255 deg true (265 to Hilo)

speed 5.5 kt

wind 17kt at 310 deg

http://www.svresolution.ca/?p=190

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