Day 7
1am local, 07:00 UTC
pos 15deg03.7S, 164deg22.6W
Distance to Pago-Pago (American Samoa) = 365 NM, to Savusavu (Fiji) = 946NM
I am not sure if Trevor posted my update regarding the potent band of SE trade winds which are going to hit us soon... a big system, from Tahiti to Fiji, containing 25-30knot SE trade winds, and lasting to the end of the forecast period. At this point we are not sure if we should laugh or cry. 30 knots of wind blowing across a long stretch of ocean will whip up an ugly sea, and it will worsen. But if it stays in the 20 knot region it MAY be fine, creating awesome broad reach sailing conditions, and giving shimmi a sleigh ride all the way to Fiji. On a broad reach doing 9 knots we will not need more than 3-4 days, once in the system, to get to Fiji. So right now we are not sure what to do. The most recent grib files show a slightly moderating forecast... SOOOO my mateys, we are probably just going to GO FOR IT. With one eye on Pago-Pago off course.
Otherwise life on board shimmi is not really worth writing or reading about right now.
But here is a time schedule of a cruise day on shimmi:
12-4am Gideon on watch. Send daily blog to Trevor, download grib files; 4am to 8am Kahlil's watch, lines out at dawn; 5-7am Indie wakes up. Chantal's 14hr kiddie day starts; 8am-12pm Gideon on watch (Kahlil sleeps); 12pm Chantal makes lunch, bakes a loaf etc; 12pm - 4pm Kahlil on watch; 1pm-3pm Siesta for kiddies, Gideon sleeps, Chantal lies with Josh; 4pm-8pm Gideon's watch; 6pm Kahlil cooks dinner; 7-8pm kiddies get put to sleep; 8pm-12pm Kahlil's watch; 12-4am Gideon's watch... blahblah. In between all this the boat turns into a play school every day with every single flat surface occupied by either a toy, crayon, lego, books or blocks.
We did a nice long spell under spinnaker earlier with NE winds, now we are motoring again Bob, into a light NNW headwind. We have about 70 engine hours (3 days of potential motoring) remaining in terms of fuel. We are running out and will soon be a true sail boat, sniff sniff.
Out new port side rudder bearing is making a loud "squeeck" noise, I think the guys in the yard did not tighten the quadrant properly causing the rudder to drop by about 7mm which in turn exposed a "fresh" part of the rudder stock into the new sleave. But it is still turning/moving freely, i tightened all bolts, i should have checked in the yard, but thats how it goes.
cheers
