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S/V Nereida sails around the world

RTW Day 243: N. Pacific: A Good Day Sail...Strait of Juan de Fuca under 1000 n.ml. away

Friday 21st June 2013

Wind slowly veered overnight and over the morning to become ESE and then SE by midday. This evening it is ESE and we are making 5.2kt on 080T. Speed reached 6kt late afternoon otherwise around 5-5.5kt over the rest of the day, in calm seas with wind chop.

2pm - Distance to Juan de Fuca under 1000 n.ml. but wind not yet allowing direct course to reach there. Good wind forecast for the next few days, but possible problem with wind direction after that.

Went to adjust main sheet traveller...over-rode line on winch big time-the line was bar-tight and immovable. Rolling hitch to the rescue!  Helped by marlin spike and sharp knife, took half an hour of effort but all ok eventually. Trimming head sails as well added half a kt to our speed.

Bright full moon in SE at sunset, rosy pink in the sky in the NW. Reading  "The Riddle In The Sand" - at long last!

Long radio session this evening with many good contacts on 20 meters.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 72n.ml., Strait of Juan de Fuca: 1006n.ml. (082T); Victoria: 1065n.ml

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Jim, WB2REM, Lawrenceville, NJ through audio link from Tom,
N5TW, Georgetown, TX via Ham Radio for posting.

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 241-242: N. Pacific: Little or no Wind Wednesday Overnight and Thursday. Tiring and Frustrat

Wednesday and Thursday 19-20th June 2013

Wednesday – Good speed overnight but WNW 4 winds became W and increasingly light over the day.  Genoa was poled out to go goose-winged over the afternoon but speed was down to under 2 kt by 9PM in WSW wind.  Slight drizzle became fog overnight.

Thursday – Sky getting light by 3AM.  Constantly on deck overnight.  Took genoa off pole which was stowed away.  Gybed onto starboard tack in light S winds.  Later gybed again several times, trying to keep boat moving NE at only 1 kt.  Calm with overnight fog.  Wind became NE for a time before becoming SE around midday, later ENE.

Light winds likely for at least another day, making for more frustratingly slow progress.  Tonight we are making NNE at around 3 kt.

Radio communications have also been difficult if not impossible over the last two days (not helped by “Chinese radar” noise jamming frequencies) – hence this brief two day report.

Need to average just 5 kt to arrive 30th June despite light winds.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: Wednesday 124n.ml.
24hr DMG to 2300GMT: Thursday 40n.ml.

Strait of Juan de Fuca: 1066n.ml. (079T); Victoria: 1126n.ml.

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Tom, N5TW, Georgetown, TX via Ham Radio for posting.

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 240: N. Pacific: Good Speed Maintained in W-WNW Wind. Generator Problem...

Tuesday 18th June 2013

Another completely overcast day with no sight of the sun, but no rain or fog and a good W wind in the morning veering to WNW by afternoon - wind just abaft the beam, boat speed around 6kt. Seas of 3m or more again - very noticeable since on the beam so they heel us over a lot on their approach - need to hold on carefully at all times when moving around in the cabin as well as on deck since motion is frequently quite sudden and violent. Wind lighter by midday, so full genoa unfurled but big seas continue.

Went to start the generator this morning, to charge battery - alternator would not activate...off with the cover... take size 14 spanner to release nut on activator spindle (had got stuck, as it often does)... finally started up ok. Checked oil while had cover off - ok.

Spent most of the morning downloading and studying weather faxes as usual, including one from Kodiak (Alaska) which I wanted to compare with one from Pt. Reyes for coverage since timing seems to be more convenient. Looks as if winds will be light NW-N over the next two days. A deep extensive Low to the W is dominating the N. Pacific weather now and for the next few days.

Emailing relay system via radio is working well - over 550 messages (in and out) so far! Tends to keep message length down although not everyone seems to appreciate the need for brevity!

Cold again - sea temperature is down to 12C so more hot soup and cabin heater on frequently.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 127n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 1211n.ml. (073T); Victoria 1271;  San Francisco 1500n.ml
From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Jim, WB2REM, Lawrenceville, NJ with Skype audio assistance from Tom, N5TW, Georgetown, TX via Ham Radio for posting.

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 239: N. Pacific: Low Passes by - Wind Down During the Morning

Monday 17th June 2013    Another Clock Change: GMT-10

2:30am   On deck in heavy rain and strong winds (SSE 5 - 20kt) to reduced genoa and furl away staysail in dark - boat making up to 8kt. Heeling a lot in big seas knocking us around. Even after reduced canvas, still making around 7kt.

6am Less wind and boat speed down, so unfurled some genoa. Daylight - new time zone: GMT -10hr.

8am    Seas big at 3-4m every 6 seconds. Rain stopped but fog not far off. Unfurled full genoa - wind dropped more and veered to S.
10am   Wind SSW 2-3 (5-8kt) - very light, boat speed down to 3.2kt. Downloading weatherfaxes. Gybed mainsail after lowering and stowing the pole. Seas still big and close together. Lost my O'Neill 'beanie' hat (a Santa Cruz memento) - was flicked off my head by the foot of the genoa while I was crouched in the bow, dealing with line, preparing to stow the pole.  Goose winged the genoa off the pole for a time.

11am   Boat speed down to under 3kt. Laysan albatross passing by. Rolling a lot in big seas. Several ships seen over the day all passing well off, heading E.

1pm   Fog finally lifted. Sun seen through break in grey clouds first and last time today. Genoa sheeted to starboard as wind veered to SW. Boat speed 3.5kt.
4pm   Wind WSW, speed 4.5kt. Fred put in charge. Boat feels cold so heater is on.

10pm   Boat speed 5-6 kt - has been slowly increasing as Low towards our W moves N. Read quite a lot this afternoon. Writing log report ready for radio sked soon as I wait for current weatherfaxes to finish downloading.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 155n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 1328n.ml. (069T); Victoria 1388;  San Francisco 1586n.ml

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Jim, WB2REM, Lawrenceville, NJ via Ham Radio for posting.

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 238: N. Pacific: Continued Excellent Speed in SSE Wind

Sunday 16th June 2013

Rain all night and for most of the day - grey and dull.  Good SSE wind has meant we have kept up an excellent speed of around 7.6 kt, often just over 8 kt, so daily run to midday was 158 miles - best for a long time!

Saw a Laysan albatross in the early morning rain as I checked on the wind direction (which was 170T).

Surprised to find NO Honolulu weather faxes transmitted this morning - eventually got some from Point Reyes (N of San Francisco, CA).  Winds looking good for next few days.

Switched on Eberspacher heater by mid-morning - was cold and damp, so nice to have cabin warm and to dry wet foulies.  Checked on diesel - still over 150 l left, so plenty for generator (battery charging) and heater use over last two weeks of passage.

Seas have been frequently quite rough and I got thrown over to port with a larger one catching us - unhurt, fortunately, but must take more care.

Needed to catch up on sleep this morning - had 2 hours up to 4 PM, before getting ready for Pacific Seafarers net, and another 1 hour later on.  Came off autopilot and put Fred in charge ready for evening radio skeds - less interference on radio when instruments and autopilot turned off, so easier to hear the less strong signals.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 158n.ml; Strait of Juan de Fuca: 1474n.ml (066T);  San Francisco: 1699n.ml; Victoria: 1534n.ml

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Rick WA1RKT, Londonderry, NH via Ham Radio for posting.

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 237: N. Pacific: Murky, Grey... Fog then Rain...Welcome to the "Pacific NW" !!

Saturday 15th of June 2013

Overnight fog lifted a little early on and sun tried to shine through weakly but then gave up. By afternoon, rain came in as I was raising the pole to go goose-winged. Had to use a long boat-hook to help release mast-fitting so pole end was free to move. A Black-footed albatross passed by and then a dark storm-petrel.

Managed to get two of seven uncooperative unused pens working today - still trying with the other five.

Looked again at weather faxes in detail and decided to change course to NE to try to stay a head of a cold front and in good wind. Two boats 200 and 300 miles to WNW and NW are motoring in no wind but we've got good S-SSE wind and are now at 11pm making 7.5-8kt. Our present winds are the result of a compression with a High to E and Low to the NW with a cold front trailing down to the S just to our W. I'm trying to stay in these winds for as long as possible, so we're on starboard tack again with genoa off the pole and back over to port.

If only the weather would play ball, so that conditions would allow me to keep up present speeds of around 6-7kt or more, I'd be finished easily before end of June. It's all a big unknown and only time will tell, but it would be nice to be safely tucked up in harbour before Canada Day on 1st of July.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 122n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 1625n.ml. (062T); Midway Island: 1089n.ml. (228T);  San Francisco 1820n.ml (084T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL via Ham Radio for posting.

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 236: N. Pacific: Another day of gentle sailing, making quite good progress

Friday 14th of June 2013

It's 8 PM and, as a result of sailing north (40N now), it's still not
quite dark.  I've been sitting in the cockpit a lot today, partly reading
and partly just gazing around and absorbing the atmosphere.  We're sailing
along gently now, in a cocoon of fog that came back down in the late
afternoon.  I'm beginning to sense the approaching landfall - on the one
hand, keen for it to happen, but on the other hand, realizing that I'll
miss being out here in the vastness of the ocean - it's addictive. (I find
myself relating to some of Moitessier's thoughts in his books I'm
presently reading.)

The wind has slowly veered to SSE over the day and it looks as though it
could well get even lighter in two days' time.  With speed around 6 kt
over last night, we made another good 24hr distance - 131 n.ml.

There's still a remote chance that we'll get in by the end of June - but
I'm not banking on it much as I'd like it to be so, since it depends
totally on the conditions we meet up with over the next two weeks -
especially, on where the NE Pacific High decides to park itself as I get
closer in and what Lows come along.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 131n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 1725n.ml. (059T);
Midway Island: 977n.ml. (222T);  San Francisco 1888n.ml. (106T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Rick, WA1RKT, Londonderry, NH
via Ham Radio for posting.

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 235: N. Pacific: Good Speed this Morning - Around 7kt for a Time

Thursday 13th of June 2013

Time Zone is GMT -11 hrs  - Change of Clock at 165W

7:30am    Adjusting course as weather faxes download. A Laysan albatross lazily quarters the sea near by on fixed winds - never a single windbeat as it glides close to ruffled surface, sometimes disappearing momentarily, hidden by the slight swell.

Had breakfast mango juice spill all over cabin sole in the galley. Sails were backed due to my forgetting to lash the wheel after coming off the auto pilot and putting Fred back in charge.  We heeled the other way...  Stove is no longer gimballed... Big clean-up needed!

Total overcast all day with fine drizzle by nightfall - everything wet.  Hot soup was welcome again!

Wind veered slowly, becoming SE by evening.  Speed was 6-7kt mid-morning, but by mid-afternoon and evening, back down to 5kt or less.

Pressure display disappeared, to join temperature and humidity display - so no electronics weather data available now.  Aneroid barometer not giving sensible reading either.

A pleasant sail today, in smoother seas - was good to see a descent speed for a while and a correspondingly good 24hr DMG 127n.ml.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 127n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 1834n.ml. (056T); Midway Island: 860n.ml. (233T);  San Francisco 1965n.ml (077T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL via Ham Radio for posting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 234: N. Pacific : Good East Wind - We Head N at Last

Wednesday 12th of June

Glimpses of the sun - briefly this morning and at sunset tonight. Light cloud cover with hint of sun over the rest of the day. Present close-hauled sailing, making a good course northward in E wind of around 10kt in fairly calm seas since tacking onto starboard last night.

Soon after nightfall, had to come off the wind a touch to keep on course, as the wind veered to ESE.  It's likely to veer more overnight, so I'll probably have to check on our course and adjust Fred quite often.

Weatherfaxes show wind veering to SE and then to S over the next few days.

A lovely sunset - light lingered in W sky for a long time - sign that we are in higher latitudes, well away from Tropics.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 89n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 1933n.ml. (054T); Midway Island: 762n.ml. (238T);  San Francisco 2030n.ml (073T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL via Ham Radio for posting.

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 233: N. Pacific : NNE Winds... Frontal System Preventing Passage N For Most of the Day

Tuesday 11th of June

I'm running out of pens - on my very last one!

820am     Just finished usual 1940Z radio sked with three other boats in N. Pacific, at end of weatherfax download. For the last three hours, we've been making an ENE course at 4-5kt. I am hoping wind might back more to enable us to head NE, and maybe NNE finally, as that's our planned course... (later: not happening)!

11am    Sun trying to shine through thin cloud layer but not managing it. Still pounding close-hauled into short seas from N - often washing over the deck. Had a two hour nap, catching up on sleep, then a late breakfast.

8pm    Seas have slowly died down with NNE 10kt wind, or less.  Unfurled full genoa finally, so our speed got up to 4-5kt, but later often down to under 4kt. Was concerned on seeing SOG 13kt on display - impossible! Had to be a GPS 'glitch' since course shown on plotter jump about like mad also. Settled back down to sensible readings/display after 15 minutes.

No rain all day. Course has been 120T for quite a time - wind must be from NE so seems we'll have to change onto starboard tack soon - big decision since it assumes wind will keep on veering.  Dark now, but will 'bite the bullet' and see how we make out.... Need to get N, not S!

10:30pm     Course is now just W of N (350T) and speed is 4-4.5kt - so looking good.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 93n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 1984n.ml. (053T); Midway Island: 714n.ml. (241T);  San Francisco 2068n.ml (072T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL via Ham Radio for posting.

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 232: N. Pacific: Cold, Rainy, Wet

Monday 10th of June 

100% grey overcast all day long with rain from 9am onward. Went on deck and got dowsed by a wave - got wet hair and had to change tops. On a top which was new a few months ago the zipper was completely stuck - usual story with aluminium zipper corroded with sea salt - took half an hour to free.

The wind and seas increased so furled in some genoa - so got very wet. Cabin drying line being well used by wet foul weather gear.
We're very close-hauled to make a course due E in a N wind - so speed down, especially in the bigger seas this morning when the wind was up. Later was able to unfurl genoa to get more speed but had to balance speed with heel and course.  I'm trying not to head S of E but sometimes it's unavoidable, although so far has only been for short periods.
It feels cold - put cabin heater on to help dry wet foulies - pleased to find heater came on without a problem - not being used since the Southern Ocean.  Hot soup has been welcome.  Still in Frontal weather system - another day at least. Seas still up at nightfall but rain lighter. Making slow progress.

Saw two ships on A.I.S - one came within 5 miles and the other within 3 miles. Both ships passed S of us one heading to Australia the other to China.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 60n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2064n.ml. (053T); Midway Island: 630n.ml. (236T);  San Francisco 2159n.ml (071T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL via Ham Radio for posting.

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 231: N. Pacific: Fog as Night Falls, After a Day of Drifting in No Wind, Trapped in Frontal

Sunday 9th of June         I hope everyone in Australia enjoyed the Queen's Birthday holiday weekend in Australia

The wind died around 2am and overnight, and into mid-morning, there was frequent, often heavy, rain. Coming back down to the chart-table in wet gear, I've had to replace the vinyl covers on the cushion and back rest, removed during passage through the heat of the Tropics.

At 6am there was a particularly heavy downpour after which the sails were backed by a sudden wind shift from E to N. I'd just finished shaking out a reef left in overnight and we then had gybe onto port tack but soon gybed back onto starboard in the fickle wind - a process repeated several more times over the day in an effort to keep heading N or E. In fact, we've been mostly drifting around all day at about 0.3kt in all directions except due W in the variable light conditions under a cloudy sky. The sea became glassy-smooth with tiny ripples, a slight swell and a fog bank lurking all around in the distance by 3pm. Mid-morning, had pleasant radio contact on 15m (on 21280kHz) with Bruny Island (Tasmania). I was later amused to come across a big 'pile-up' of people trying to contact Mark, VI6AJ - a "Queen's Birthday Special" call-sign in Australia.

At 6pm, finished an unexpectedly long sked on 20m (14290kHz) with a lot of friendly well wishers. Then came on deck and was surprised to find us sailing E in a gentle N wind (but with fog close by). If we can keep this up, maybe we can escape the Frontal system that's been dogging us and hampering our progress over the last few days - fingers crossed!

A Laysan albatross has been seen several times again today and Black-footed albatross suddenly took off from the sea nearby where it had been resting just before nightfall.  The paler area at the base of its bill was very noticeable, contrasting with its dark plumage.

I decided, being Sunday, to have 'roast lamb' dinner with mash and peas (freezed dried but tasty!) and followed it with peaches and cream which I thoroughly enjoyed.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 90n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2112n.ml. (053T); Midway Island: 582n.ml. (232T);  San Francisco 2216n.ml (071T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL via Ham Radio for posting.

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 230: N. Pacific: Much Better Course and Speed, in Calmer but Rainy Conditions

Saturday 8th of June

6pm   Rain! ... on through the night. Clouds had become increasingly grey over the afternoon, after the sun had tried to struggle through this morning without success, although the air definitely felt warmer. Using my sleeping bag again - it's feeling a lot cooler especially overnight.

Seas 2m, so have calmed down a bit, with wind being far lighter than yesterday, but are still close - every 4-5 seconds - so we're still getting knocked about occasionally.

With the wind direction today being mainly E, our course has been good - NNE - and by late afternoon, in the calmer seas, we were making around 5.5kt, occasionally 6.0kt - nice to see!

I'd finished Dana's "Two Years Before The Mast" yesterday while taking refuge in my bunk, and today started on Moitessier's last book...they're quite different.

Had several radio contacts from midday on - several hams are keen to make use of my grid position out here.

Needed to catch up on sleep over the morning, after getting up early for the usual batch of weatherfax download. Winds are looking good over the next few days - possibly from SE by Monday.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 105n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2184n.ml. (052T); Midway Island: 512n.ml. (238T);  San Francisco 2268n.ml (069T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL via Ham Radio for posting.

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 229: N. Pacific: Strong Wind, Rough Seas, Grey and Rainy

Friday 7th of June

A grey rainy day of strong wind of 30kt or more and rough seas, over 3m, only 4-5 seconds apart. We were sailing close-hauled often dropping into the troughs after mounting the wave crest. Not the most comfortable of days being heeled and pounded by the seas all the time, despite taking the third reef in the mainsail early this morning. The genoa was reduced to a scrap several times when the wind was at its strongest.

The wind was from NE-ENE and so our course, initially NNW, became N over much of the day, at 4-5kt. Cloud layer became broken in the W at sunset.

By 9pm, the wind had dropped a lot and the seas were lying down also, so increased genoa to give a boat speed of 5.0kt rather than 3.5kt.

A Laysan albatross kept us company all day, enjoying the strong wind and rough seas.

It was coldest enough for me to need my fleeces once more, to keep warm.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 66n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2258n.ml. (050T); Midway Island: 456n.ml. (248T);  San Francisco 2315n.ml (067T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL via Ham Radio for posting.

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 228: N. Pacific: One Painfully Slow Day Followed By a Stormy One

Thursday 6th June 2013
Yet another painfully slow day - nightfall brought a cold front.
2:30pm  Been relaxing in the cockpit with coffee and music, enjoying the peaceful sailing condtions. All done as an antidote to the feelings of frustration earlier at the thought of my ETA slipping with yet another day of pathetically slow speed (under 3.0kt) and E-ENE course rather than preferred NE. So long as I don't dwell on our speed, today's date and our "miles to finish", I am OK. Have to insert some extra pages into logbook which is nearing its end.

We're sailing just S of edge of cloud layer showing  position of cold front which I am trying avoid.

8pm Sunset - and dark grey cloud rolled over, bringing cold front and cold rainy NE wind - total change in conditions from warm and sunny SW wind.

I found us heading SE. Took a time to sort things out including getting down the pole in a hurry so we could tack the genoa and staysail. Furled in the genoa while sorting things out. Ended up on 330T at 4kt better than heading 120T! Hoping wind will veer more to the E overnight so we head more N. Bumpy as we head into waves.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 88n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2304n.ml. (049T); Midway Island: 431n.ml. (256T);  San Francisco 2346n.ml (066T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL via Ham Radio for posting.

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 227: N. Pacific: Glorious Day of Easy Sailing - But Wind Slowly Died

Wednesday 5th June 2013
6am  Broken, grey overcast and damp air. Weather faxes being downloaded.

By 11am, gloriously sunny blue sky with hardly a cloud in sight and good SW wind hitting 4-5kt, heading E on a beam reach. Overnight, the genoa had been taken off the pole and brought over to port and now the staysail was unfurled. We've maximum canvas out but speed is constantly being handicapped by lack of full mainsail.

It's been another day of relaxed, easy sailing in 1-1.5m following seas. From midday on, the wind slowly died back, so that by sunset, at 6:30pm, we were making under 3kt (in decidedly cooler air). Bank of grey cloud low down in the W past sunset.

This morning, a Blacked-footed albatross flew past and a Laysan albatross was seen in the distance.

At 6:15am, now have a regular sked with some other boats.  Had several new radio contacts on 15m and 20m, spent some time reading in the cockpit and kept an eye on weather fax timings. Forecast and current isobaric charts are confirming that keeping just below 30N and heading E have been good moves to keep fair wind, in view of a small Low just to our N. This Low is expected to dissipate and become a trough by tomorrow midday, so we can now begin to head ENE slowly becoming NNE by Friday, when the wind is expected to be from E.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 114n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2381n.ml. (049T); Midway Island: 343n.ml. (254T);  San Francisco 2432n.ml (066T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL via Ham Radio for posting.

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 226: N. Pacific: Rolling About - Good Downwind Sailing

Tuesday 4th June 2013
4:30am   A shipped passed close by soon after dawn - the 'Ermoupolis' W-bound for Japan. Passed a half mile ahead after VHF radio contact. AIS alarm had alerted me to its presence when one hour away.

11am    Wind SSW. Boat speed is over 6.0kt now from 3.5kt at dawn with increased wind. Rolling a lot in following seas, with plenty of white horses showing wind strength is F4-5 (15-18kt). Nice to be sailing well for a change, despite strong motion at times. Course is now 060T - S of planned course - weather faxes show probable headwinds if we're too far N in 2 days' time, so we're heading more E.

Early afternoon - Long session with Jim, WB2REM dealing emails and log report. He's spending a lot of time very kindly helping me each day on 15m (and on 20m later).

9:30pm   Made a beef, spinach and onion curry, with mango and lime pickles on the side - a nice change and enough for tomorrow as well.  Soon sailing well downwind.

Sunset was 6:30pm after a warm sunny day with partial thin cloud cover. Making ENE course in SSW wind and sea.  Had several sociable radio contacts over the day.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 67n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2483n.ml. (089T); Midway Island: 227n.ml. (253T);  San Francisco 2544n.ml (065T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Transcribed by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL via Ham Radio for posting.

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 225: N. Pacific: Another Bright But Slow Slow Day- Wind finally Veered to the SE

Monday 3rd June 2013

Speed: 0.8 kt., CSC 018T, Cloud 10%, Bar 1020

7am   After being forced onto NW course yesterday, due to the NE wind, I was pleased to see the wind finally veering … which it continued to do slowly over the morning. By 0930 winds were SE, later becoming SSE for a time. It has continued to be very light, so our speed has been 1.5-2.0 kt. again, giving a distance of only 38 miles in 24 hours. 
In order to keep the big genoa filled and to prevent it from continually collapsing while we drifted downwind, I spent a time raising the pole and polling out the genoa to starboard so we've been goose-winged from 2pm with the main sail well out to port. A pair of Laysan albatross flew by from time to time to check on my progress.  Of course, every time one of them was really close, my camera was not within reach!

Spent quite a lot of time on the foredeck and in the cockpit trimming the sails as the wind changed, so radio contacts were minimal, but had a long chat with Rob ZL1KY in New Zealand on 15m.

This evening, the winds had backed to the SE and we’re crawling along NE at 2.2 kt. On checking over a set of weather FAX downloads, I was dismayed to find a lot of grey and no sensible print-out - I've had the generator running and clearly it had interfered on frequency… grrr!!!

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 38n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2547n.ml. (048T); Midway Island: 170n.ml. (259T);  San Francisco 2607n.ml (064T)

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Copied by Don, N7BD, Branson, Mo -  Relayed to Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL for posting. (Note: Weak radio conditions today so some future modifications to the wording of the blog maybe needed).

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 224: N. Pacific: Another Slow Sunny Day... AP Stopped Working But Problem Soon Fixed

Sunday 2nd June 2013
10:45am   Had very light contact on 10m (28540kHz) from Mike N7RY. Lovely calm, bright morning: - determined to relax and enjoy it, although only making 2-3kt, N-NW in very light wind.  Sitting reading in cockpit with fresh coffee and camera to hand, hoping to get a shot of the albatross often near by - mainly Laysan with the occasional, quite different, Black-footed - all dark with white band at base of tail ( See Photo Courtesy of: http://teacheratsea.wordpress.com ).

black-footed
2:30pm   Almost no wind - have been drifting W with backed sails at 0.9kt for 2-3 hours. After chatting for a time to several contacts on radio (15m), decided to try to head N again and turn on autopilot (AP) - but wheel was NOT turning.... AP was trying to steer but nothing was happening. So...down to aft cabin to try to sort out the problem, leaving Fred in charge in the meantime - making 1.3kt NW at present.

6:30pm    Sun just set below the horizon as an albatross passed by. Second autopilot motor and ram is now connected up - all working OK but back on wind steering. Actually saw a boat speed of 3.9kt just before sunset but presently making only 2.5kt.  Course keeps varying between N and NW. Problem with AP would seemed to have been caused by a lack of hydraulic fluid - a good amount has leaked out from the pipe connections to and from the motor and the level in the reservoir is way down so it's possible air is now in the system.

Had double portion of lamb fettucine - was famished, so very welcome!
Hoping weather faxes are giving correct forecast so the expected veering of stronger wind takes place by tomorrow. Has been slow going today.

Was delighted to get a call around 5pm on 20m from the flight deck of an American Airlines plane over central Colorado en route to San Diego: Kriss, KA1GJU/AM.

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 98n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2571n.ml. (048T); Midway Island: 268n.ml. (272T); Cabo San Lucas 3452n.ml; San Francisco 2622n.ml

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Copied by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking

RTW Day 223: N. Pacific: Difficult Overnight Passage Through Hawaiian Archipelago in Very Light Wind

Saturday 1st June 2013

Midday   Feels good to see Lisianski Island and the seamount to its W astern of us! Lisianski was due E at 11:30pm in no wind. Lost a lot of sleep last night trying to keep the boat headed N in little or no wind with boat speed of 1-2 kt for a long period of time. Lost steerage and drifted in circles quite often. This morning's weather faxes indicate present ENE wind will continue into tomorrow but will then veer to SE by midnight and to SW over Monday, so I am hoping to be heading NE in stronger winds after this weekend.

It's a bright sunny day with few clouds and a fairly calm sea, with a gentle 5-second swell from the E. Had breakfast in the cockpit and it's calm enough for me to deal with the remaining not-so-fresh fruit and veg (almost all dried or moldy). Laysan Albatross (See Photo) is gliding around in the distance. Our red-footed hotel guest left well after dawn, having slept with its long-necked head tucked under its wing, making it look headless!

Evening    Wind veered earlier and we made course of  011T at 3.5kt - time for a party in bright sun but increasing cloud to celebrate escaping to N of Hawaiian Archipelago. Our course would keep us well E of Pearland Herms Atoll (to ESE of Midway) so we're now clear of all danger.

Opened bottle of bubbly chilled in small portable 12v cool-box and enjoyed music and sea view from cockpit. White-tailed tropic bird seen overhead. Before relaxing, took long mop and water and cleaned solar panel. Boobies had covered it with their 'guano' ! Wind had veered more - we're now making over 5kt on 015T.

laysanalbatross

24hr DMG to 2300GMT: 70n.ml. Strait of Juan de Fuca: 2646n.ml.; Midway Island: 188n.ml. (304T); Kauai: 842n.ml. (105T); Cabo San Lucas 3483n.ml; San Francisco 2677n.ml

From: KC2IOV/MM by HF radio. Copied by Jim, WB2REM, Port St. Lucie, FL

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For my positions and track, see:
www.svnereida.com - 'Travels' - "Where is 'Nereida'?"
and/or:
http://www.exactearth.com/media-centre/recent-ship-tracks/tracking-nereida/
http://www.7163net.com Current Position Reported by Ham Radio with Google Earth Tracking