Downwind Sailing

Downwind Sailing 

 

Position 16D.43.972 S  147D.37.781 W

Tuomotus to Bora Bora

 

Friday, August 5 - We said farewell to our friends on 'Saba' and left Fakarava at 9:00am yesterday to exit the pass safely. We got the surprise of our life when we were met by standing waves in the pass but Faraway managed to motor out through them easily.  When we reached the open ocean we put the sails up and tried to point at Bora Bora but ended up more on an angle for Tahiti.  We put the whisker pole out and during the night we were able to get good speeds and changed our sailing course directly to Bora Bora.

 

Ian and I both slept in the cockpit last night and it was really cold out in the night air. We had thermal pants on and a jumper.  During the night I had to go below and bring out the sleeping bags as well.  We only saw one small fishing boat and apart from resetting our course a few times it was a peaceful night.  It helps when the sea state is only 2 meters high and the boat is only gently rolling along at 6 knots.  This is something we haven't experienced yet in the South Pacific.  So far on our journey the usual wave heights have been 3 to 4 meters!

 

Happy Birthday today to our friend in Saudi, Sharon Coleby!  I will make a chocolate cake to celebrate and I'm sure that Ian will eat most of it.  At least I won't be cooking on some unusual angle today and crashing around in the galley so that's cause for celebration as well.

 

We have activated 'Spot' again as we should now be back in an area of coverage.  Hopefully you will be able to see exactly where we are in the world soon.  For those following the blog I have added some photos of the manta rays and the anchorages in the Tuamotus.  Just click on 'older posts' and you will be able to view the photos.