Monoru Saito Challenge 8: Week 5

Day 26 [Oct. 28, 0700 JST]
Position:
05 42S, 153 33E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 10.2%

Heading: 145
Boat speed: 4.3 kt (7-day average: 3.9 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 102 nm
Distance made good: 2,552 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 22,418 nm

Yokohama ETA: 240 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 186 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Solomon Islands (WP #1 / 2,005 nm) ETA: 2.0 days

Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, scattered thunderstorms
Barometer: 1011 hPa
Waves: 0.5 m
Wind (from): 9 - 11 kt ENE
Current: 0.5 kt from east
Engine: 9.0 hr @ 1500 rpm, 0.5 @ 1800 rpm
Generator: 8.5 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef
Staysail: 0%
Genoa: 90%

Today's Report

Saito-san reports a rise in ship traffic as he approaches the Australian east coast, and with the narrowing of the sea lanes west of the Solomons. Last night he saw 5 large ships on radar and judges that one came to within 500 meters of him. He was hit by several brief squalls, followed by weak winds mainly out of the east. Winds had picked up again and become favorable out of the ENE at the time of his call.

Added Comment

Rei filed this report from her call received this morning:

I haven't slept enough. Am I always saying so? Yes.
It has been because of thunderstorms, but now the main reason is tankers. My boat is on the route for those main vessels since yesterday, and so I became busy checking the radar.
Tankers from the front, tankers from behind, well, just a lot.

Once I find something that can be a large vessel on the radar, I will not leave the radar until I can confirm the thing moves on the display and I can secure a safety route. This process usually takes about 30 minutes. Can you imagine? They cannot see me from a large vessel if my boat gets too close to it. So I have to make sure the boat is taking the right course.

This will last until I past Tasmania [in about 2,300 nm.]

Lunch: Sausage and boiled rice
Dinner: Instant noodle (miso) for the first time!
Occasionally: Rice bread -- they are really tasty!
During storms: Rice brei

There are still some vegetables left -- potatoes, carrots, leeks, and cabbage (but I accidentally dropped most of cabbage into the sea when cutting sausages for lunch).

These days, it is difficult to find supermarkets that sell leeks covered with enough dirt.
Same for potatoes. Do you know that such potatoes with dirt can be kept twice as long as potatoes already washed? You should keep them with mud on until you actually use them.
Maybe you don't need to think such things if you are not going to keep them for long time - but it is not a good thing that all vegetables are already washed when you buy them. Just not natural.

There are not many birds around here, which means I won't catch fish easily if I try. Usually you can find fish more when you get closer to the land.

***

Saito-san now completed 10.2% of Saito Challenge 8. He'll arrive at Waypoint 1 in 2 days, which he has plotted as 009S, 155E, a point 100 nm west of the Solomon Islands and 2,800 nm from Yokohama.


Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day 27 [Oct. 29, 0700 JST]
Position:
007 15S, 153 47E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 10.6%

Heading: 200
Boat speed: 4.0 kt (7-day average: 3.8 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 96 nm
Distance made good: 2,648 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 22,322 nm

Yokohama ETA: 244 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 185 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Solomon Islands (WP #1 / 2,800 nm) ETA: 1.5 days

Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, scattered thunderstorms
Barometer: 1013 hPa
Waves: 0.5 m
Wind (from): 7 - 9 kt ESE
Current (from): 1.1 kt W
Engine: 11.0 hr @ 1300 &1500 rpm, 0.5 @ 1800 rpm
Generator: 8.5 hr
Sails
Main: 3-pt reef
Staysail: 0%
Genoa: 90%

Today's Report

Saito-san bemoaned the weak and variable winds that forced him to mainly motor at fuel-conserving low speed, as he also dealt with a westward current of 1 to 1.5 kt. Usually this is an area where cyclones arise, he said, "but now, nothing." [Clearpoint shows below him about 150 nm orange patches of stronger winds the past 48 hours but they are gradually dissipating.] He seems to be wishing for something that would break the pattern of the last week that has dropped his average speed to under 4 kt.

He said 4 ships passed him in the night but none came close.

Added Comment

He will reach his first waypoint in about 1.5 days, which he has plotted as 009S, 155E, a point 100 nm west of the Solomon Islands and 2,800 nm south of Yokohama, his start point.

***
A clarifying question from Dr. John P. in Baltimore, Md.

When giving "speed," is it in "knots per hour," or is that implied by the term "knots"?

Thanks, your landlubber friend . . . John

A knot is 1 nautical mile per hour, so it is a big no-no to say "knots per hour."

1 n.m. = 1.15077 mi. OR 1 mi. and 265.3 yd

Thanks for asking...!

Click here for nautical mile conversion.

***
The close proximity of islands in the Solomon Group (140 - 200 nm to his east and others to the south) are compressing and directing the currents in several directions. Clearpoint shows a south-going current of about 1 - 1.5 kt starting 40 nm from his 0700 position. We suggested he steer for it at a 160 degree heading to break out of the westward current he is in. Saito-san said his present wind direction would make that heading difficult, but he would try.

This current would give him a "down-hill" ride that, with winds expected to turn favorable soon out of the NE, would accelerate his forward progress between 10 to 20 nm over the next 24 hours. We'd like to see his average speed at 5 kt or a bit better to make up some lost time.


Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Day 28 [Oct. 30, 0700 JST]
Position:
008 31S, 153 54E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 10.9%

Heading: 140
Boat speed: 3.2 kt (7-day average: 3.7 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 77 nm
Distance made good: 2,725 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 22,245 nm

Yokohama ETA: 251 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 184 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Solomon Islands (WP #1 / 2,800 nm) ETA: 0.5 days

Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, scattered thunderstorms
Barometer: 1013 hPa
Waves: 1.0 m
Wind (from): 7 - 12 kt ENE (return to favorable)
Current (from): 0.4 kt W
Engine: 3.75 hr @ 1500 rpm
Generator: 8.5 hr
Sails
Main: 3-pt reef
Staysail: 0%
Genoa: 90%

Today's Report

Weak and variable winds continued, though after the 3rd thunderstorm since midnight, winds came around to favorable this morning about 6 am but still not much help as he ghosts along at about 3 kt. He's trying to use the engine less to conserve fuel so progress is reduced as he nears Waypoint No. 1.

He said 3 large ships passed him in the night, with ship traffic that seems to be lessening.

Added Comment

He will reach his first waypoint about mid-afternoon today. As judged from his track, he will pass it to the west about 40 nm distant. He had plotted the waypoint as 009S, 155E, but apparently is satisfied to follow the wind rather than make for what is actually an arbitrary spot on the open ocean, as opposed to a particular cape or island, etc.

We'll discuss his next leg tomorrow.


Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Day 29 [Oct. 31, 0700 JST]
Position:
009 49S, 154 40E

Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 11.4%
Heading: 135
Boat speed: 3.8 kt (7-day average: 3.7 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 90 nm
Distance made good: 2,852 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 22,118 nm

Yokohama ETA: 249 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 183 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Tasmania (WP #2 / 2,233 nm) ETA: 25 days

Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, numerous thunderstorms
Barometer: 1012 hPa
Waves: 1.0 - 1.5 m
Wind (from): 18 - 22 kt ENE (return to favorable)
Current (from): 0.6 kt W
Engine: 10.0 hr @ 1500 rpm
Generator: 9.0 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef
Staysail: 0%
Genoa: 80%

Today's Report

Saito-san passed Waypoint 1 at 1600 yesterday, a point on the ocean at approximately 008 55"S, 154 5"E between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

The last 24 hours were marked by numerous thunderstorms -- "I think 5," Saito-san said, wearily. But everything is going well as he makes for his next waypoint just below the Australian island of Tasmania.

Added Comment

On the next leg he'll pass through the Coral Sea, then the South Pacific Ocean, past Brisbane following the east coast of Australia on a fairly straight shot to Tasmania, 2,280 nm distant. He is expected to reach Tasmania in about 22 to 25 days.

Here are the stats for his first leg (Yokohama to Solomon Islands WP 1):
Days: 28
Distance from Yokohama start: 2,800 nm (rhumbline distance)
Actual distance traveled: 2,888 nm
Daily average distance: 103 nm
Average boat speed: 4.3 knots
No. of gales: 1
Top reported winds: 28-30 kt gusts, 22-25 kt sustained


Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Day 30 [Nov. 1, 0700 JST]
Position:
011 07S, 154 34E

Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 11.6%

Heading: 155
Boat speed: 3.5 kt (7-day average: 3.7 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 84 nm
Distance made good: 2,890 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 22,240 nm

Yokohama ETA: 250 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 182 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Tasmania (WP #2 / 2,175 nm) ETA: 25 days

Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, scattered thunderstorms
Barometer: 1013 hPa
Waves: 1.0 m
Wind (from): 18 - 22 kt ESE
Current (from): 0.9 kt NE
Engine: 9.5 hr @ 1500 rpm
Generator: 8.5 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef
Staysail: 0%
Genoa: 90%

Today's Report

Strong winds accompanying thunderstorms reached 35 knots yesterday. At least three squalls came through beginning in the morning and tapering off by mid-afternoon, one lasting 2 hours and causing several changes in wind direction. During these times sails were reduced to a 3-pt reef on the main and totally furled (rolled up) on the genoa headsail.

Added Comment

These tests of the genoa under storm and variable wind conditions have been reassuring, following the mishap early in the voyage from Auckland in the spring.

In the first week a three-day gale destroyed a brand new genoa, after it became wrapped and stuck open in a partially furled condition. Forty-knot winds reduced the flapping sail to tatters and weeks later it could be cut down only with some difficulty at dockside in Yokohama.

A new sail was ordered and cut slightly longer along the sail's leading edge to reduce the possibility of "halyard wrap," a problem with headsail furling systems in which the sail can become tangled in its own lines and sail cloth. With a crewed boat this is largely an inconvenience as they rush to fix the problem; with a struggling solo sailor, it can cause sail damage or worse if he cannot get it furled in time as the wind builds.


Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Day 31 [Nov. 2, 0700 JST]
Position:
012 51S, 154 37E

Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 12.0%

Heading: 170
Boat speed: 4.3 kt (7-day average: 3.8 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 104 nm
Distance made good: 2,988 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 22,142 nm

Yokohama ETA: 243 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 181 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Tasmania (WP #2 / 2,074 nm) ETA: 23 days

Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, scattered thunderstorms
Barometer: 1014 hPa
Waves: 1.0 - 1.5 m
Wind (from): 15 - 22 kt ESE
Current (from): 0.5 kt W
Engine: 9.5 hr @ 1500 rpm
Generator: 8.5 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef
Staysail: 0%
Genoa: 90%

Today's Report

Continuing scattered thunderstorms with otherwise steady trade winds out of the southeast and east. Clearpoint is showing reduced squalls over the next few days, down from yesterday's 80% down to 10-30%.

Added Comment

When the winds are out of the east Saito-san can steer on a heading of about 160 degrees, which sends him southerly direction (but also toward the south-southeast (SSE), which is ideal for his desired route). When the wind turns to more out of the southeast (as it was at 0700 this morning) he is forced to turn more toward the west to keep the sails properly oriented with the wind, motor, or both. This keeps the boat on a beam reach.

From Wikipedia:

Reaching
When the boat is traveling approximately perpendicular to the wind, this is called reaching. A 'beam' reach is with the wind precisely at right angles to the boat, while a 'close' reach is halfway between beating and a beam reach, and a 'broad' reach is a little bit away from the wind.

See here a graphic for the points of sail.

And here for a concise but informative discussion on sailing.


Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Day 32 [Nov. 3, 0700 JST]
Position:
014 20S, 154 35E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 12.3%

Heading: 135
Boat speed: 3.7 kt (7-day average: 3.8 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 89 nm
Distance made good: 3,069 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 22,061 nm

Yokohama ETA: 242 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 184 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Tasmania (WP #2 / 1,979 nm) ETA: 23 days

Weather: Overcast, scattered thunderstorms, clearing
Barometer: 1015 hPa
Waves: 1.5 - 2.0 m
Wind (from): 14 - 15 kt SE
Current (from): 1.5 kt W
Engine: 0 hr
Generator: 8.5 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef
Staysail: 0%
Genoa: 70%

Today's Report

Winds were strong yesterday but largely unfavorable. Saito-san has been countering a westward current that is threatening to push him into areas northeast of Brisbane populated by small, dangerous reefs. To the south is the Great Barrier Reef, which Saito-san said he is planning to stay well to the east of.

The forward anchor chain locker has developed a leak that allows water from bow waves to enter. He believes it fixed, but spent time after midnight emptying accumulated water from the bilge.

Added Comment

The Saito 8 shore crew will assist in a Nicole BMW promotional effort today, and will man a Saito Challenge Publicity Booth. Thanks go to volunteers Eiko Brumfield, James Hayashi, and Mike Seymour, as well as Nicole BMW's Oliver Witte for their help on a Japanese national holiday.

Weather looks much improved over the next several days, with winds steady and fair out of the east.


Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)