Dec 15th (this side of Dateline - 14th on U.S. side)
Hi all.
Just another quick note that we are almost to Opua, New Zealand. We've been going through a Gale the last 24 hours. It is just now letting up. Top winds were 40 knots. Seas were steep and breaking - 12 to 14 feet. This low was worse than advertised. Oh well.
We should get in after dark, and make our way to the Quarantine dock. In a couple days we should be somewhat rested and able to look into internet, laundry and the other necessities.
Hope everybody is well back home, and that our sailing friends are also well - wherever they may be.
Owen, Carrie, Griffyn & Tamsyn
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This is the blog for SV Madrona and her crew Griffyn, Tamsyn and their parents Carrie and Owen, as we navigate new waters for our family.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Big seas enroute to New Zealand
December 11th (on our side of the dateline)
Just a quick update. we are 300 miles out from Minerva Reef with some 480 miles to go on this jump. we had 25 knot winds and 3 meter seas all night. Things have calmed a bit this morning, but it is still blowing 18 knots, with a mixed swell of 2.5 meters.
Nobody feels seasick - which is good. The folks on Fugue, a bit ahead of us, are quite seasick. There are seven boats strung out between Mineva and New Zealand. We are in the middle of the pack right now, but two boats behind us are fast "cats" so they will pass us in the next two days.
We crossed the 180th meridian yesterday - so we are now all "Golden Dragons."
Still getting some stretches of very cold water but mostly it is in the seventies.
All is well.
S 28 03.1
E 178 40.6
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radio email processed by SailMail
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Just a quick update. we are 300 miles out from Minerva Reef with some 480 miles to go on this jump. we had 25 knot winds and 3 meter seas all night. Things have calmed a bit this morning, but it is still blowing 18 knots, with a mixed swell of 2.5 meters.
Nobody feels seasick - which is good. The folks on Fugue, a bit ahead of us, are quite seasick. There are seven boats strung out between Mineva and New Zealand. We are in the middle of the pack right now, but two boats behind us are fast "cats" so they will pass us in the next two days.
We crossed the 180th meridian yesterday - so we are now all "Golden Dragons."
Still getting some stretches of very cold water but mostly it is in the seventies.
All is well.
S 28 03.1
E 178 40.6
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Wednesday, December 7, 2011
24 hours out from Minerva Reef - On the way to New Zealand
Just a quick update. We've been sailing n light winds for just over 24 hours, and our wind is very variable; sometimes dropping as low as 6 knots. As a result we've come only 80 miles. 700 to go.
We don't want to arrive sooner than the 14th, as a big low pressure system will be slamming Opua that day... so maybe a day or two later. We're kid of dodging weather systems on the way south.
During our night watches last night we had water temperatures that got as low as 28 degrees F. For hours the water was 35 degrees, and we could feel the cold coming off the surface. Must be due to deep water up welling from the oceanic trenches over which we are sailing.
All are well aboard - though tired.
Owen, Carrie, Tamsyn, Griffyn
S 24 44.9
W 179 29.04
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We don't want to arrive sooner than the 14th, as a big low pressure system will be slamming Opua that day... so maybe a day or two later. We're kid of dodging weather systems on the way south.
During our night watches last night we had water temperatures that got as low as 28 degrees F. For hours the water was 35 degrees, and we could feel the cold coming off the surface. Must be due to deep water up welling from the oceanic trenches over which we are sailing.
All are well aboard - though tired.
Owen, Carrie, Tamsyn, Griffyn
S 24 44.9
W 179 29.04
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Saturday, December 3, 2011
Arrived at Minerva Reef
We arrived at North Minerva Reef yesterday safely. Our transit only took 3 days and 3 hours. we are one of seven boats now waiting here for the next good weather window to strike out for New Zealand.
Our jump from Tonga to Minerva was marked mostly by big seas and booming trade winds. Lots of water over the bow as we made 9.5 knots for some stretches - about 2 knots over our "hull speed." This afternoon we now sit in a ring of reef, with the roar of pounding surf beyond. Inside the water is relatively calm, and many shades of blue and aqua.
We have full batteries and full fuel, and full fresh water tanks - so all is good. Preliminary weather forecasts suggest that we will wait at least 3 to 4 days (maybe more) before heading out. If so, we will celebrate Tamsyn's 9th birthday at Minerva Reef. Quite a location. And in addition to S/V Fugue, there are other boats we know; Two Ticks, Northern Rose and Baroness, so we may have quite a few folks over to have cake.
When we get to New Zealand we will celebrate again, and be able to find more fun presents. More later. Time to snag some weather forecasts.
Owen
S 22 37.710
W 178 53.747
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Our jump from Tonga to Minerva was marked mostly by big seas and booming trade winds. Lots of water over the bow as we made 9.5 knots for some stretches - about 2 knots over our "hull speed." This afternoon we now sit in a ring of reef, with the roar of pounding surf beyond. Inside the water is relatively calm, and many shades of blue and aqua.
We have full batteries and full fuel, and full fresh water tanks - so all is good. Preliminary weather forecasts suggest that we will wait at least 3 to 4 days (maybe more) before heading out. If so, we will celebrate Tamsyn's 9th birthday at Minerva Reef. Quite a location. And in addition to S/V Fugue, there are other boats we know; Two Ticks, Northern Rose and Baroness, so we may have quite a few folks over to have cake.
When we get to New Zealand we will celebrate again, and be able to find more fun presents. More later. Time to snag some weather forecasts.
Owen
S 22 37.710
W 178 53.747
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Thursday, December 1, 2011
Getting cloe to Minerva Reef
Hi all,
Just touching base. We are still plowing through 12 foot seas, and 24 knots of wind. Right now it's raining.
We are only 60 miles from Minerva - a circular reef atoll without an island. Just a reef and a lagoon. There's a narrow entrance to the lagoon on North Minerva, and we should anchor in about 30 feet of water.
Owen
22 degrees 49 minutes south
178 degrees 02 minutes west
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Just touching base. We are still plowing through 12 foot seas, and 24 knots of wind. Right now it's raining.
We are only 60 miles from Minerva - a circular reef atoll without an island. Just a reef and a lagoon. There's a narrow entrance to the lagoon on North Minerva, and we should anchor in about 30 feet of water.
Owen
22 degrees 49 minutes south
178 degrees 02 minutes west
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Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Leaving Tonga - On the Way to New Zealand
Hi all,
As of Thursday December lst (this side of the dateline)we have left Tonga 36 hours ago, and are now 200 miles southwest of our starting point. We are sailing fast in rough seas. we are averaging 7 knots, but have seen 9.5 knots.
The seas are mixed swells about 10 feet high, coming from two directions - making the sea much like a washing machine. we are buddy boating along with S/V Fugue. It's strange to see a sail nearby on the horizon 24 hours a day. We just have to make sure we don't crash into each other.
Kids have been a bit green around the gills - especially Tamsyn. A few drips coming in as we are taking big seas over the bow and burying the rail frequently. We hope to reach Minerva Reef in 36 hours or so. There we can rest in the lagoon, and wait for a good weather window to continue the rest of the way to New Zealand.
To Jennifer & Aaron - please make a blog comment giving your email addresses (we won't publish the comment. We can't find yours and would love to visit.
Miss you all.
Owen, Carrie, Tamsyn & Griffyn
S 20 58.502
W 176 13.1188
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radio email processed by SailMail
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As of Thursday December lst (this side of the dateline)we have left Tonga 36 hours ago, and are now 200 miles southwest of our starting point. We are sailing fast in rough seas. we are averaging 7 knots, but have seen 9.5 knots.
The seas are mixed swells about 10 feet high, coming from two directions - making the sea much like a washing machine. we are buddy boating along with S/V Fugue. It's strange to see a sail nearby on the horizon 24 hours a day. We just have to make sure we don't crash into each other.
Kids have been a bit green around the gills - especially Tamsyn. A few drips coming in as we are taking big seas over the bow and burying the rail frequently. We hope to reach Minerva Reef in 36 hours or so. There we can rest in the lagoon, and wait for a good weather window to continue the rest of the way to New Zealand.
To Jennifer & Aaron - please make a blog comment giving your email addresses (we won't publish the comment. We can't find yours and would love to visit.
Miss you all.
Owen, Carrie, Tamsyn & Griffyn
S 20 58.502
W 176 13.1188
----------
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Monday, November 21, 2011
Update Tonga & A Relaxing Day, Sparky & the Barleys (May 17th)
Hi,
Still in Tonga. Having a good time. Visiting many islands and people. I've been working a lot - finishing up a couple projects.
We are getting ready for our jump to New Zealand, and so are watching for a weather window. Hope everyone has a good
Turkey Day! We will probably watch The Wizard of Oz with the kids and have our dinner with Bob & Sue on S/V Fugue.
Hugs to everyone.
Owen
Carrie's post "A Relaxing Day - Sparky and the Barleys" (May 17th) was posted retroactively. Enjoy
http://svmadrona.blogspot.com/2011/05/relaxing-day-sparky-and-barleys.html
Still in Tonga. Having a good time. Visiting many islands and people. I've been working a lot - finishing up a couple projects.
We are getting ready for our jump to New Zealand, and so are watching for a weather window. Hope everyone has a good
Turkey Day! We will probably watch The Wizard of Oz with the kids and have our dinner with Bob & Sue on S/V Fugue.
Hugs to everyone.
Malo,
Owen
Carrie's post "A Relaxing Day - Sparky and the Barleys" (May 17th) was posted retroactively. Enjoy
http://svmadrona.blogspot.com/2011/05/relaxing-day-sparky-and-barleys.html
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