Skip to main content

Weeeeeeeeee!

We're absolutely flying today! Averaging a steady 7 to 7.5 knots, thanks in part to the Volvo (those engine hours are creeping up nicely) and a fantastic push from the following wind. Gusts of up to 24 knots keep things exciting, and every now and then, we catch a wave that propels us forward at a thrilling 10-12 knots – surfing on the open ocean, what a feeling!

The wildlife sightings are picking up, too. Yesterday, a pod of dolphins entertained us with their playful antics, and we even spotted a whale cruising by, maybe 150 meters from the boat. The lack of birds, however, is a bit concerning. It always makes me wonder if overfishing has depleted the food sources in these areas.

With the absolute game changer of starlink we had a quick chat with the folks at the marina yesterday, and they assured me they'll be waiting with open arms (or maybe an open limo and a brass band, if I'm lucky?). The best part? A noticeable improvement in temperature! Looks like my complaints about damp socks will soon be replaced by grumbles about the heat. Such are the sailor's woes!

One minor caveat to our otherwise perfect day – the wind. While it's a welcome push south, it's currently blowing almost due north, which means it's also trying to nudge us a little too close to those "rudder chomping beasts" I'd rather keep at a distance (you know, the ones with the big teeth). To avoid any unwanted encounters, we'll likely gybe the boat later today, adjusting our course slightly to maintain a safe distance from our toothy friends.

Here's to a smooth gybe, continued good weather, and maybe even a slightly less enthusiastic welcome than a brass band (although, who am I kidding, that would be pretty cool). 
Yacht Delivery Solutions specializes in delivering sailing yachts adhd power boats of all sizes. Whether you need a performance cruiser, trawler or any other vessel moved, our dedicated team ensures a safe and efficient passage. Contact us for your yacht delivery needs.

Popular posts from this blog

A New Adventure Begins

Location: Departing Denarau, Fiji And so it begins! The journey from Fiji to Southport is officially underway. I arrived in Fiji yesterday and had a fantastic handover from Karl, the boat's owner. It was a proper, detailed session, which is always a treat and makes the whole process so much smoother. It's rare to get a handover at all so that level of thoroughness was a huge help and saved a lot of time, and I'm very grateful for it—it makes a huge difference to a delivery skipper. This morning was all about final preparations. We filled the tanks with a massive 15,000 litres of duty-free fuel. By midday, customs and immigration were on board to complete the paperwork, and with their stamp of approval, we were good to go. The moment you first take the helm of a new boat is always a mix of excitement and a little bit of nerves. No matter how much you've been briefed, you're never quite sure how she'll handle. Will she respond to the helm? How will she behave in t...

Motoring

We've officially crossed the halfway point on our journey to Darwin, and things are looking good. The weather continues to cooperate, offering us smooth motoring so far. However, forecasts predict a shift in wind direction sometime tomorrow, with easterlies potentially changing our arrival time. The stronger the easterlies, the later we'll pull into Darwin. It's going to be time to transfer fuel later and the only pump available in Singapore was a rickety, hand-cranked contraption that leaked like a sieve . Transferring fuel has been a nightmare. It turned a simple task into a full-blown mission, complete with showers for everyone involved afterwards and a thorough boat cleaning session. Thankfully, things are much different now. Thanks to Rhona's keen eye, we snagged a fantastic electric transfer pump in Lombok. This beauty is a dream come true – just two hoses and a simple switch, and we can effortlessly pump 250 liters of fuel in a matter of minutes! Needless to say,...

Racing the Clock to Brisbane

                          A ship at 2.5nm  We are now officially heading south down the coast of Queensland, and while I know Australia must be somewhere to our starboard side, it’s currently impossible to tell in this persistent gloom. It’s that final, stage of a long passage where the land is close, but not quite visible. The good news is the wind didn't increase as much as the forecast suggested. We're still getting some movement, but I am certainly pleased to be getting some shelter from the vast landmass now. In fact, I'm especially happy the wind stayed mild, as I washed the boat down a few days ago, and I'd been bracing for the PC52 to be immediately caked in salt again. A small victory to end a long journey! Now, the final stressful race: clearance. It's touch and go whether we can get cleared in today, and honestly, it’s looking a little doubtful. We still have around 70 nautical miles to cover, a...