Samoa to Noumea

Monday, 28 August 2017, 1430Hrs

22 16.7S, 166 26.4E, Port Moselle Noumea. Unfortunately we used way too much fuel looking for an anchorage to recover the main halyard, in fact one tank emptied whilst parking so despite doing everything possible not to stop it was inevitable. I Was prepared not to have any hot meals if the gas ran out (pre cooked and frozen 10 meals) Not sure how I would have enjoyed no coffee though.

Sunday, 27 August 2017, 1200 Hrs

22 07S, 167 55 E, Its around 40Nm to a passage amongst the reefs south of Noumea, currently with a light wind from the south east we will most likely sail through that passage and anchor amongst the islands to attempt to recover the main halyard from up the mast. All going well and provided the updated forecast still shows favourable winds we should be back into the Tasmam Monday evening pointed at Bundaberg.

Saturday, 26 August 2017, 1300Hrs

21 17S, 169 16E, Now its under 950Nm to Bundy, looking forward to the final turn to Starboard probably on Monday. A Large swell is coming from the North East, hopefully there is no low forming up near or beyond Fiji. Expecting to be under engine until Monday. All well.

Friday, 25 August 2017, 1500Hrs

Update

Oops, just as I’m about to hit send it appears the block on the mainsail halyayd has given way from the shackle sending the main to the deck. After Phil volunteered to try to retrieve it he managed to get quite a way up before showing off and swinging back and forth amongst the shrouds. Anyway that attempt has been aborted, based on the forecasts and having at least 48-60hrs of motoring ahead we have time to decide on sailing under Headsail alone (have done for a majority of downwind sailing so far) or perhaps anchor at the Isle of Pines or Noumea itself to remedy the problem.

1300Hrs

20 02S, 170 27E, Over half way now, 1092 Nm to go with 1145 Nm Behind, Yeah! Currently in light winds as expected from Duane s reports, we will probably be under engine for the rest of the weekend before getting some more (hopefully favourable) winds from early next week. Thanks for such a detailed report as well Duane, you have been spot on, your getting good at this !!

Thursday, 24 August 2017, 1300Hrs

18 58S, 172 07E, Around 1160Nm to Bundaberg so that’s about half way. The wind has gone a bit more easterly and dropped off from the 20-30Kts of 2 days ago. So since this morning we have had the main back up and are back on course. The weatherman tells us it will drop off further in the next few days and swing more east so we are expecting a good run until it drops out completely on the weekend.

Tuesday, 22 August 2017, 1300Hrs

17 09S, 176 17E, 600 Nm to the bottom of Noumea, making good speed but the seas are throwing us about a lot, SE winds at 20kts looks good on paper but add some sloppy waves puts incredible stress on the boat let alone me. Will be backing off now as fittings etc may start shaking loose under these conditions.

Monday, 21 August 2017, 1300Hrs

16 27S, 177 43E, Approximately one third of the way to Bundaberg now. There has been a little bit of rain around today so have now set up the water catcher again. Thanks for your messages Duane, I Hope you had a good extended weekend, please send my best regards to Sue.

Sunday, 20 August 2017, 1300Hrs

15 38S, 179 07 EAST, Yep on the right side of the world again, we have also adjusted our time to Fiji or NZ time so are now at UTC +12hrs. Back under engine since early this morning and currently running down the western edge of Fiji. Its 22 years since I visited the Yasawa island group which we will be passing very close to in the next 24hrs. Oh well next time maybe a revisit.

Saturday, 19 August 2017, 1400Hrs

14 40S, 179 09 W, The seas gradually dropped away allowing us to make speeds like we had hoped for.

Friday, 18 August 2017, 1400 Hrs

14 39S 176 43 W, Counting down (or up) again, 300Nm behind and 1900Nm ahead. The seas are up a bit on yesterday after having a southerly blow in for most of the night, but its now dropped back off and turning slowly more to the east. Not much else happening except a few dolphins yesterday. All well on board.

Thursday, 17 August 2017, 1400Hrs

14 38S, 174 43W, Had a fair bit of motoring overnight but currently under sail with a light Northerly. Hopefully this will last a while before the engine needs to fire up again as its a pleasant sail. Should we be able to maintain the current course we will probably keep to the North of Fiji as the weatherman suggests. The navigation will also be easier over the top. We definitely will however be making our way to the south of new Caledonia so as not to be caught with any winds south of SE to clear into Bundaberg. Also as Noumea is to the South its reachable should we need to stop for any unforeseen reason.

Hey Happy Birthday to Gemma!! Looking forward to you visiting OZ in October

Wednesday, 16 August 2017, 1400Hrs

14 04S, 173 02W Still not on the correct side of the dateline yet and just 84 nm behind us. Lots of rain overnight with wind at times but giving us a very varied course over the ground.

Tuesday, 15 August 2017, 2000Hrs

Underway, update in a few days. Australia here we come!

0900Hrs

Well I tried to get going over the weekend, Immigration assured me several times it would not be a problem so managed to clear out on Friday despite Phil not arriving in Samoa until Saturday night. Customs however would not have a bar of it so today in an hours time I will be back at customs for another attempt. Not much happened here in Samoa over the weekend, Sunday was Fathers day and absolutely everything has closed, yesterday Monday was a public holiday for the Fathers day so again nothing much happened. Will update again as we leave.