Panama to Galapagos Passage: Day 4

Author: Pete
Location: 03º 51.412N’ 81º 36.720W’
Date: 17:00 March 12 to 17:00 March 13

 

Day 4 at sea.

 

Several hours of good wind yesterday. Okay, by good we mean ‘some’. Kept us cruising at 3 or 4 knots without motoring, a welcome quiet after 21 hours of becalmed air. Took turns jumping off of the bow of the boat, floating between the hulls and out the back where we had two long lines with floats attached to grab onto and pull ourselves back up the sugar scoops. Lots of fun. We always had two aboard in case we had to go pick someone up. The boat wasn’t moving fast, so it was fun to be repeatedly run over by Tayrona with nothing but 3000 feet of water under you.

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Played Settlers of Catan while we bobbed along this afternoon and had a cold beer! What a treat!

Wind died again just as we reached Isla Malpelo.

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Couldn’t stop at the flora and fauna sanctuary on the island. We are trying to outrun the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), a 60 mile wide snake of squalls and poor winds that runs roughly east-west and slides north and south like an elevator. It’s farther north and to avoid its adverse conditions we are trying to scoot on through to better weather while it is happily north of us.

Sir fry for dinner! Get the veggies while you can! Puppy chow for desert!

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Stars are out in force and the moon has yet to rise. Calm seas.

 

Panama to Galapagos Passage: Day 1

Author: Pete
Location: 07°54.559N’   79°18.846W’
Date: 17:00 March 9 to 17:00 March 10

 

Day 1 at sea.

 

Dawn breaks on our first full day at sea! Left the shelter (and chaos) of Panama City yesterday afternoon and sailed southwest into the sunset.

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Miranda saw night dolphins on watch last night! Heard their breathing before seeing them, and at 1:00 am when you think you’re the only thing awake for miles, it can be a little startling. Also saw a lot of ships. Too many ships. No dodging required, but still requires careful watch. By our AIS, looks like we were right in the middle of the shipping lanes. Boats headed south to our starboard, northbound on the port (our heading is straight south).

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Light winds and calm, following seas made for comfortable sailing… and sleeping! Now that we’re out of the planning mode we have time to relax! It’s freeing to know that no more prep work can be done- now we just concentrate on sailing and enjoying the tranquility of the sea.

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Weather ahead looks good. The ITCZ  is farther north than normal, which should decrease our chances of squalls.

Off we go into the Pacific.