753nm from Fiji, making good time on a broad reach now. Making great time now.
She’s talking about coming home early when they arrive instead of hanging around one of the most beautiful and friendly countries in the world - I think she misses Toronto air quality…
She is doing 8ish knots on the aft quarter still but the waves are from the south east at 9’ and the boat is taking them on the bow quarter - so lots of banging around.
Its quite possible she could be in NZ to start the gov’t inspection and decontamination process on 36 hours. The Kiwis are insanely (and rightly) very careful about their marine environment and every vessel must be reviewed in detail, I think with divers, to ensure they aren’t bringing in unwelcome life. The humane marine version of the US policy on people immigration.
Looks like the weather will continue to be favourable for the rest of the trip - aside from having roll over 9 swells.
Update from Lynn at 0606 this morning:
“Just got off an extended evening watch. Just as we finished dinner together and I was to be left on my own, the instruments went dark. I jumped to the helm and started hand steering - close reaching at at 8 knots - as darkness arrived. Fully overcast and no moon -DARK!! Only the chart plotter with little boat thingy and our track plus the waypoints. No indicators for wind, angle, speed, depth. Could not see the sails through the reflective dodger window. Before long couldn’t even see the horizon ahead of the boat. 2-3 meter waves. Staring at the magnetic compass, feeling the rise and fall of the boat and the shifting angle to the wind as MAKARA did her wave dance. Finally got in a groove and could keep her in a tight range with steady speed. Three hours. Tim got the instruments going again. Then we further reefed the main and also reefed more of the Genoa (less unfurling), anticipating the wind to strengthen. Already up to 25 knots true. Now a short sleep before I’m back on in a few hours. Whew! And fun.”
Of course she ends with ‘and fun’.