Position: The winds have been more favorable. We are sailing mostly west through the Panama Basin. The body of water in the Pacific Ocean that separates Panama from the Galapagos Islands. We are now about 120nm east of Costa Rico’s Coco Island.
5 24’14N 84 5243W *Note: I am told you can copy and paste these coordinates into google earth and it will show you where we are.
Mileage: 3440 – 3365 nm = 74nm if we were able to sail in a straight line south west.
Number of miles to go: 3365nm to go of approx. 3850nm (That is still hoping we can generally sail direct to our final destination)
Fish count: Freezer still full, but no one out today to tease us. The count is 3 Mahi Mahi, 2 Cero and 6 tuna. One Marlin that we were happy got away!
LAST NIGHT
For the first time we got a little look at the sky. It was only for a couple of hours, but seeing all those stars and the milky way spread out before you was humbling. We still had the boat double reefed, so we had some slow spots between the mini squalls passing through. In one of the lulls the seas state was so gentle and the boat going so slow you could really appreciate the bio-luminescence. The movement of the boat through the water agitates sea creatures that produce light in response. I have seen it when it is little critters and the water sparkles. Very funny when you flush the sea toilet at night. But last light we must have been in a school of squid or jelly fish as they formed bright rings radiating out from the boat. Very cool.
THIS MORNING
Was the usual grey skies and rain we have come to expect from this trip so far. The humans decided to through caution to the wind and shake out one of the reefs. Of course a big squall hit right after wards. Sods law. But they are bent and determined to make some headway. So I have to live with life EVEN MORE on a tilt. There goes the leg lifts!
PROGRESS
Well hopefully, now the humans have dared to shake out a reef, we will get some miles under our belt. Getting to our destination is not the most important thing, but we are ‘kind of screwed’ if we don’t. Besides that sailing is about enjoying the experience. The nasty winds and squalls put a damper on things, but there are lots of things to celebrate. We got a freezer full of fish, most things that have gone wrong have been minor and we have been able to fix them or live without. I am surprised the humans even remembered how to sail, after 2 years in port. So I will choose to count my blessings, enjoy the ride and hope for the best.
THIS TRIP HAS JUST BEGUN.
END
