Day 7 Pacific Crossing

Day 7 Date: Thursday, April 19th, 2018 Time: 17:00 UTC Location: 11° 09.9’N 116° 06.0′ W COG: 210° T SOG: 4.5 knots 24 hour distance traveled: 128 nm Distance to the Marquesas: 1880 nm
Things are looking up today. We have the spinnaker out in smaller and less rocky seas. We caught our first fish, a small mahi mahi. We caught this on a reel given to us by the Bernheardt family and a lure given to us by the Duval family. So we had lots of help! Thank you!
Last night we had some 20 – 30 knot winds pushing us south and west. I’m not sure what our top speed was because we don’t keep all our instruments on all night to conserve power, but I know I saw an 8.5, which is a big number for little ole Banyan. This was punctuated by moments where the wind totally died and the wind indicator spun around in circles while I tried to keep the boat on track and wait for the next big blow. Despite the sea state, we have been making good times the last few days and it looks like we may have a great window for crossing the ITCZ. This is an area around the equator of low winds peppered by squalls. Another name for this area is the doldrums or the horse latitudes. The size of this area depends on all sorts of factors but it looks like, from the GRIB files we download via our sailmail account using the SSB or the sat phone depending on propagation, we may get lucky and as Jeff from SV Luminesce said today over SSB, “I think a portal is opening up for a quick passage through the ITCZ”. This is thrilling as the ITCZ can claim a shocking amount of time or fuel depending on how you plan to traverse it. That is all for today. Girls are well – squeezing orange juice from the last of our oranges, I’m feeling better with these easier seas and Cameron is happy as a clam. We have been getting good sleep, drinking lots of water and eating quite well. This is SV Banyan, signing off. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBERT MCKENDRY!

10 comments

  1. sandy ednie says:

    A fish! and a MahiMahi at that! Arent its colors amazing when you first pull it aboard! Like the loveliest of all jewels.
    It has all that value a human can injest. Hope the girls were fascinated to witness its beauty.
    PS.We hope to celebrate with Robert!
    Sandy Ednie

  2. Nancy Kossack says:

    Wonderful to hear all details of trip. You are a great storyteller. We have been praying extra for all of you. For health & safety. God speed. ❤️

  3. Janis and Fred Blue says:

    How lucky we are to be able to share this adventure with your family. We love you so much and pray for safe traveling. Smooth sailing!

  4. Kathy Lord says:

    Just love reading your posts! What an incredible journey. I can see a book on the horizon for you Ms. Anne. Sail on Vawter family. You are all so blessed. Much love❤️

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