Skip to main content

Windy - The App

The past few days have been a dance with the weather gods. A deep low pressure system lurked south of us, threatening rough seas, while whispers of another one forming next week loomed large. Heading straight into that mess wasn't an option. 

But the tide, as they say, has turned! A window of opportunity has cracked open, allowing us to make a dash east and hopefully reach Darwin by Friday. We're motoring along at a steady 8 knots, the engines humming a familiar rhythm. When the wind cooperates, we unfurl the headsail, catching that extra push that makes a little bit of difference.

It's a welcome change from the Java Sea. Here, under the vast expanse of the night sky, there's not a single ship or tugboat in sight. The only company we have are the distant glows of a few fishing boats, a stark contrast to the constant stream of vessels we encountered back there. In the Java Sea, the absence of traffic often meant a different story: either it was pouring rain and visibility dropped to zero, or many boats simply didn't bother with lights, creating a nautical navigation nightmare.  It was definitely a chance to test your skills. 

If you take a peek at my windy app usage, you'd see the evidence of my obsession! Just this past Saturday, while formulating this escape plan, I spent a whole hour glued to the screen, meticulously analyzing the forecasts. Every squall, every shift in wind direction, dissected and debated. Hopefully, those hours spent staring at weather charts will translate into a smooth ride to Darwin by Friday! 

And now, with the sun just popping up over the horizon (it's 6 am!), it's time for my ritual – a check of all the yacht's systems. Making sure everything that's supposed to move is moving, and everything that should stay put remains still. 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Last 24hrs

This is our last full day and night at sea. Tomorrow, we'll be tied up in the marina in Tahiti , and I'll be turning off the engines for the last time. The main and headsail will be dropped and stowed away, and I won't be touching the sheets or halyards again. It feels peculiar to think that Namarie and I have kept each other safe throughout this incredible journey, and in a few days, I'll be on a plane heading home. On this yacht delivery Namarie and I started in the Bay of Biscay and headed south into the Atlantic, getting to know each other along the way. We made a brief stop in the Canary Islands, our last contact with Europe before heading further south and leaving footprints in the red dust of Cape Verde. We left West Africa behind and headed further west across the Atlantic, dodging hurricanes and grabbing fuel and provisions in the southern end of the Caribbean. From there, we pushed onwards through the Caribbean Sea to Panama and the canal. Pretty soon after, ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Off We Go

The dream of a seamless yacht delivery aboard the Fontaine Pajot 47 seemed like a solid plan. However, life, with its unpredictable currents, threw us a curveball. My trusted crewmate was struck by the ever-present Covid! Even though he's as tough as old sea boots, it definitely slowed him down. The pre-departure days were a delicate balancing act. While the initial concerns about a sick crewmate were undeniable, a strong sense of purpose took hold. Provisioning, finalizing paperwork, and familiarizing myself with Namarie became a mission with Craig putting in 110% effort despite his 20% health. Constant communication with my recuperating crewmate ensured a smooth handover of duties, keeping the team spirit alive despite maintaining physical separation and wearing masks. Stepping aboard Namarie, the initial awe at her sleek lines and luxurious interior was palpable. However, the euphoria was tempered by a healthy dose of respect for the vessel's complexity. The sophisticated na...
Post a Comment
Read more

Jobs Done!

We made it! Namarie is now safely tied up in the marina in Tahiti, and we're about to do the handover and fly home. I couldn't have done this without the help of two absolutely fantastic crew members who each sailed a quarter of the way around the world. Throughout the entire trip, there hasn't been a single harsh word spoken, and everyone has been eager and enthusiastic to do whatever was necessary. Craig and Adam have been invaluable, contributing their positive energy and good humor. I'm incredibly grateful for their commitment to this adventure. I've learned a lot on this voyage and am extremely grateful for not only the company but also the can-do attitude and support. The blog will be taking a break for a while, as will I. However, I plan to share occasional updates until the next delivery. By then, I hope my creative juices will be topped up and ready to go.
Post a Comment
Read more