Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
communicate as long as the earth's curve does not blanket out receivers. That distance is
about thirty to fifty miles I believe. Line of sight from sea level is two miles.
I am hoping to get a weather report today. Yesterday there was a tropical depression warn-
ing in Vanuatu, so I must watch that. I am reading now the classic solo circumnavigation
of the seventy two year old Sir Francis Chichester on “British Steel” (His was a fifty-five
footer and obviously very strong. He had been rolled over in the same sea as I was sailing
in now at the same time of the year. This didn't bolster my confidence too much.)
15
th
Mar: Just another day, squalls up until a few hours ago. Drifted and sailed way north.
Wind now coming from east-southeast, ten to fifteen knots. Maintaining radio contact with
Olivia only. They are closer now to me according to my noon fix and their satellite fix.
Barometer fell three millibars today. I expect the wind to swing to the north soon.
17
th
Mar: Wild seas and grim sailing last night, rain and no sleep. Finally hove to for a
few hours sleep. The bloody wind is strong out of the southeast now, twenty-five knots at
least. Right out from where I am trying to sail, damn!
Rough sailing. Took a sight and found I had sailed due south, have lost radio contact with
Terry and Lynne. Feel all alone now. Dizzy and weak.
18
th
- 19
th
Mar: Fifteen knots still from the southeast! Slept all night. Aware that she
heeled over a lot even with triple reefed main and number two working genny (Genoa).
Yesterday's plot was dismal. Our progress is pathetic. I am now sailing over shallow wa-
ter, about one hundred feet deep. Rough and large powerful craters in the ocean. The boat
is sucked around and into them completely at their mercy.
My compass course is between fifty and sixty degrees magnetic. I am still several days from
New Zealand. Still no contact with Olivia. I am now reading Joshua Slocum's epic book,
Sailing Alone Around The World. What a good sailor, good man, bald as a bone too! Wind
is freshening now to twenty knots.
20
th
Mar: Wind still from the southeast and moderating. It swung slightly north in the
early morning hours. I am now on the port tack. One hundred and forty degrees magnetic
towards New Zealand, still four hundred miles away as the crow flies. That was the west
coast of New Zealand; I am heading for the east coast and have yet to sail around the north
shore.
I set the staysail, free flying, to give us a bit of a lift. I think it helps the general cause. It
sure looks nice. This little sail is set between the main and Genoa; it changes the descrip-
