Nelson May 2011
We are still in Nelson.
We have been waiting for a wind shift for the past 16 days. As it was last year at this time we are stuck between two stationary high-pressure systems. This generates a series of complex lows over New Zealand that form and dissipate.
The results are northerly winds coming from the direction we are trying to sail. We just received a weather analysis from Bob McDavitt, New Zealand's weather guru. He advises a departure of next Wednesday 18 May. There will be 25-knot sou-westerly wind with 4-metre sea. That would have us over North Cape in 3 or 4 days. Way cool.
Alvei is sporting fresh coats of paint to hull and masts. The bulwarks and hatches have been renewed. Four months of food and bosuns stores have been loaded and stowed. Fuel and oil have been topped up and a new RFD Surviva 20-person life-raft is mounted on the fore deck. All fourteen people on board are looking forward to the pending voyage. The crew composition by nationality are: 3-Yanks, Evan, Megan & Dan, 3-Swedes, Anton, Jonas & Eric, 2-Germans Franzi & Ulf, 2-Brits, Dai & Shelly, Belgian Jay, French Canadian Kim-Danielle (AKA Kanuk), French Kim and Kiwi Lachlan.
This passage will take us up the Tasman Sea and over the top of North Cape. We plan to sail east toward the Kermadec Islands, then shape a course for the centre of the Lau Group of islands in Fiji to Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji. It will be a voyage of 1800 to 2000 nautical miles and 4 to 5 weeks duration.
Evan
We have been waiting for a wind shift for the past 16 days. As it was last year at this time we are stuck between two stationary high-pressure systems. This generates a series of complex lows over New Zealand that form and dissipate.
The results are northerly winds coming from the direction we are trying to sail. We just received a weather analysis from Bob McDavitt, New Zealand's weather guru. He advises a departure of next Wednesday 18 May. There will be 25-knot sou-westerly wind with 4-metre sea. That would have us over North Cape in 3 or 4 days. Way cool.
Alvei is sporting fresh coats of paint to hull and masts. The bulwarks and hatches have been renewed. Four months of food and bosuns stores have been loaded and stowed. Fuel and oil have been topped up and a new RFD Surviva 20-person life-raft is mounted on the fore deck. All fourteen people on board are looking forward to the pending voyage. The crew composition by nationality are: 3-Yanks, Evan, Megan & Dan, 3-Swedes, Anton, Jonas & Eric, 2-Germans Franzi & Ulf, 2-Brits, Dai & Shelly, Belgian Jay, French Canadian Kim-Danielle (AKA Kanuk), French Kim and Kiwi Lachlan.
This passage will take us up the Tasman Sea and over the top of North Cape. We plan to sail east toward the Kermadec Islands, then shape a course for the centre of the Lau Group of islands in Fiji to Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji. It will be a voyage of 1800 to 2000 nautical miles and 4 to 5 weeks duration.
Evan