Minoru Saito Challenge 8: Week 4
Day 19 [Oct. 21, 0700 JST]
Position:
04 16N, 151 51E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 7.8%
Heading: 170
Boat speed: 5.0 kt (7-day average: 4.1 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 119 nm
Distance made good: 1,969 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 23,206 nm
Yokohama ETA: 242 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 193 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Solomon Islands (WP #1 / 3,000 nm) ETA: 13 days
Weather: Partly cloudy
Barometer: 1010 hPa
Waves: 1.5 m
Wind (from): 17 - 23 kt E (favorable)
Current: 0.5 kt from east
Engine: 6.0 hr @ 1,500 rpm
Generator: 8.0 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef
Staysail: furled
Genoa: 90%
Today's Report
The past 24 hours were good, once skies had cleared about noon yesterday. Trade winds are now out of the east at close to 20 kt steady, for a comfortable broad reach on a 170 heading. Current is out of the east so not opposing compared to more recently.
Our Inmarsat connection did not work today for some reason but the Iridium back-up phone served excellently. This is the first time we've had to fall back on the Iridium phone, but anticipate this will become more necessary in parts of the ocean where the higher bandwidth (thus clearer) Inmarsat phone does not have full satellite coverage. (The Inmarsat equipment was donated by Japan Radio Corporation, and the Iridium phone plus the comms fees by Clearpoint Weather.)
Added Comment
Clearpoint has added a web page dedicated to Saito Challenge 8 that makes it possible to see the weather at his position. The site is "interactive" allowing the selection of specific types of weather and sea condition information at his precise location.
We'll be writing more about Clearpoint Weather soon, and now there is a great website that puts it into perspective.
***
Bob Brumfield, Hunter's "baby brother," listened in on today's call via Skype on his mobile phone in San Antonio, Texas.
Bob, as a driver, was part of a 6-person search team that took a trip in 2007 by rental RV to Maine to check out a steel yacht that was up for sale. It was gorgeous and, unfortunately, too expensive. Nonetheless it helped us consider the absolute minimum that was needed for a westward circumnavigation, and the trip allowed Saito-san to renew some old BOC and Around Alone friendships in the Newport RI area.
Saito-san got a kick out of talking to Bob. He has a special affection for Texas, where he has several friends going back a number of years. One couple, ham radio operators, were daily voices to him as they cheered Saito-san along during the Atlantic portion of the 1990-91 BOC race. They finally could meet several years later and have stayed in contact since. Saito-san even carries a dried rattlesnake rattle they gave him for good luck.
Happy 50th, Bob!
Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 20 [Oct. 22, 0700 JST]
Position:
02 25N, 152 19E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 8.3%
Heading: 165
Boat speed: 4.8 kt (7-day average: 4.2 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 114 nm
Distance made good: 2,076 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 23,099 nm
Yokohama ETA: 229 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 192 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Solomon Islands (WP #1 / 3,000 nm) ETA: 11.5 days
Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, scattered thunderstorms
Barometer: 1010 hPa
Waves: 1.0 m
Wind (from): 11 - 16 kt E (favorable and steady tradewinds)
Current: 0.3 kt from east
Engine: 0 hr
Generator: 9.0 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef
Staysail: furled
Genoa: 90 to 100%
Today's Report
No success in getting the Inmarsat system back on line, after several trouble-shooting procedures were taken. Power, as shown by lighted LEDs, seems fine up to the Inmarsat handset, which is dark and silent. Questions about whether it was damaged by a lightning strike have been raised, though there is no immediately apparent physical evidence of that.
The back-up Iridium connection was very good and Saito-san could hear well.
He reported having a good 24 hours with winds steady and moderate seas. At one point a large thunderstorm approached but passed well off.
He said he expects open up the sails more later in the morning and was already clocking over 6 kt at the time of today's 0827 beacon report.
Added Comment
Saito-san bit into something hard yesterday and was dismayed to find "two, no wait -- three" teeth from an upper bridge had broken. "It's really bad," he rued, obviously contemplating 5 or 6 months of difficulty eating. This was not, he said, the same partial bridge his dentist replaced just a few weeks before departure. "Good thing you have lots of rice," we suggested. "Yes, I guess so," he said, laughing at some length.
Rice and boiled cabbage. His often-declared favorites, and as such part of our theory why only someone like Saito-san could relish 6 or 7 months apart from urban comforts, and thousands of miles from the nearest Big Mac.
***
At Day 20, he's cleared his second thousand miles, has just 160 nm left to the Equator, and about one-third of the distance remaining to the Solomon Islands, his first waypoint. He's edging back close to the 5 kt average under sails alone as the welcome tradewinds hold fair and stable out of the east.
Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 21 [Oct. 23, 0700 JST]
Position:
0 45N, 152 35E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 8.6%
Heading: 165
Boat speed: 4.4 kt (7-day average: 4.3 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 106 nm
Distance made good: 2,169 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 23,006 nm
Yokohama ETA: 223 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 190 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Solomon Islands (WP #1 / 3,000 nm) ETA: 9.5 days
Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, scattered thunderstorms
Barometer: 1010 hPa
Waves: 1.0 m
Wind (from): 10 - 12 kt ESE
Current: 0.3 kt from east
Engine: ? hr
Generator: 9.0 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef
Staysail: furled
Genoa: 90 to 100%
Today's Report
Still no success getting the Inmarsat comms system back on line, after more procedures were tried this morning with the help of James and JRC. There's growing concern of lightning damage to one of the components.
Winds moved back to contrary out of the ESE but for much of yesterday they were favorable.
Added Comment
Rei spoke with Saito-san and filed the following report:
There was a small thunderstorm last night. Squalls and thunderstorms in this area are not as large as those I had over past weeks. Even if you have strong rain, it will finish soon.
But they are still troublesome as they change wind direction very frequently. Once a thunderstorm starts, I become really busy running to grab sails, helming, etc. , and so I didn't sleep enough last night.
When I'm not having squalls, it is very quiet. I cannot see any birds, means there is no fish for them to eat. There is no dolphin either to play with, perhaps for the same reason.
Only one or two birds come towards the boat when I eat. They know I will give them some food. Very clever.
It is already 3 weeks since I left Japan, but I saw only a couple of beautiful sunrises.
Usually you can expect a bit more. Well, you can see things are always different on the sea
although you think you know the area very well.
This is where many typhoons are born in winter, but it is really quiet.
I'm expecting to cross the equator soon, hopefully this evening.
Color of the sea? it is still Black Current area.
Breakfast: (yesterday) last cheese & toast
(today) rice bread- this is really yummy!
Lunch (Rei could not hear him well because of noise from the non-Inmarsat connection)
Most vegetable have gone already. There are only a few onions, potatoes, carrots, and cabbages left.
Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 22 [Oct. 24, 0700 JST]
Position:
00 44S, 152 44E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 9.1%
Heading: 170
Boat speed: 3.7 kt (7-day average: 4.3 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 89 nm
Distance made good: 2,260 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 22,710 nm
Yokohama ETA: 220 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 189 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Solomon Islands (WP #1 / 2,875 nm) ETA: 6.0 days
Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, scattered thunderstorms
Barometer: 1011 hPa
Waves: 1.0 m
Wind (from): 10 - 15 kt ESE
Current: 0.6 kt from east
Engine: 9 hr @ 1500 rpm
Generator: 9.0 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef
Staysail: furled
Genoa: 90 to 100%, furled during thunderstorms
Today's Report
Saito-san crossed the Equator about 7 pm last night, for what is one of the highpoints in any oceanic sailing adventure.mThe celebratory practice by crews in the early sailing ships was a good dowsing in the bosun's chair for all Equator first-timers.
For him the event was welcome but just another in his storied sailing career. When he passed it last February on the trip down from Hawaii to Auckland he guessed he'd crossed the Equator "34 or 35 times."
And since then, he's done it twice more.
***
Saito-san reports three thunderstorms in the past 24 hours; though not bad, each requires pre- and post-squall sail modifications, tacking, course corrections, and constant vigilance for the next one. Saito-san seemed less tired this morning though said he could only catch brief naps.
Winds stayed contrary out of the ESE and will remain out of the ESE and occasionally SE (nearly head-on) for the next 2 days at about 10 kt. Saito-san reports a "strong" current that shows on Clearpoint as 0.6 kt out of the east.
He mentioned a return of the auto-pilot steering problems in which the helm swings as much as 20 degrees from the set heading for unknown reasons.
Added Comment
We made a waypoint alteration today as Saito-san clarified that he is planning to pass between Papua New Guinea (to his west) and the Solomon Islands (to his east).
This effectively cut the total distance for Waypoints 1 & 2 by 205 nm. Thus, the total circumnavigation route is being calculated as 24,970 nm, instead of 25,175. (Additional modifications are anticipated as he proceeds.)
Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 23 [Oct. 25, 0700 JST]
Position:
02 25S, 152 59E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 9.5%
Heading: 165
Boat speed: 4.3 kt (7-day average: 4.3 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 104 nm
Distance made good: 2,361 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 22,609 nm
Yokohama ETA: 219 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 188 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Solomon Islands (WP #1 / 2,875 nm) ETA: 5.0 days
Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, scattered thunderstorms
Barometer: 1012 hPa
Waves: 1.0 m
Wind (from): 17 - 21 kt ESE
Current: 0.6 kt from east
Engine: 8.5 hr @ 1500 rpm / 0.5 hr @ 2000 rpm
Generator: 9.0 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef
Staysail: furled
Genoa: 90 to 100% (furled during thunderstorms)
Today's Report
Saito-san crossed the Equator about 7 pm the night before last, for what is always a major highpoint in any oceanic sailing adventure. The celebratory practice by crews in the early sailing ships was a good dowsing in the bosun's chair for all Equator first-timers.
For him the event was welcome but just another in his storied sailing career. When he passed it last February on the trip down from Hawaii to Auckland he guessed he'd crossed the Earth's midline "34 or 35 times."
And since then, he's done it twice more.
Added Comment
An emailed question and the response:
How's he doing with his busted teeth? Is he not allowed to get even medical assistance except in life-threatening situations?
Boyd Gatlin
Starkville, Mississippi
Nope... even if he runs out of beer!
He's ok about it, typically stalwart about such things. In his last Around Alone he broke a finger of his left hand in the last two weeks and did the rest of the voyage truly "single-handed." That finger is pretty crooked now, but he can grasp lines.
He actually feels that non-stop circumnavigations are easier/safer because you don't need to make ports or go near land.
P.S.
Joking of course about the beer, but he does have a daily ration of one much-enjoyed cold can of Asahi, especially now that he is in the balmy climes of the Equator.
Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 24 [Oct. 26, 0700 JST]
Position:
02 38S, 153 49E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 9.6%
Heading: 180
Boat speed: 2.7 kt (7-day average: 4.2 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 64 nm
Distance made good: 2,389 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 22,580 nm
Yokohama ETA: 218 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 187 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Solomon Islands (WP #1 / 2,875 nm) ETA: 4.5 days
Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, scattered thunderstorms
Barometer: 1008 hPa
Waves: 2.0 m (3.0 - 4.0 m yesterday)
Wind (from): 17 - 20 kt ESE
Current: 0.6 kt from east
Engine: 8.0 hr @ 1500 rpm / 0.5 @ 1900 rpm
Generator: 9.0 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef / 3-pt during gale
Staysail: 50% during gale
Genoa: 90 to 100% (furled during gale)
Today's Report
Moderate gale durin the day yesterday, with winds up to 35 kt and 3 to 4 m seas. Required him to moto0sail into the winds/east for much of the day so not much progress was made on the route.
Added Comment
This was his worst weather and least progress made on the voyage so far, making 64 nm but only about 35 nm toward Waypoint 1. But the boat did well in the gale conditions. All sails in good shape, Saito-san reports. He reported a "wild" uncontrolled tack at about 2 am when the wind suddenly shifted, but he was able to recover quickly.
Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 25 [Oct. 27, 0700 JST]
Position:
04 01S, 153 44E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 9.8%
Heading: 170
Boat speed: 3.5 kt (7-day average: 4.0 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 84 nm
Distance made good: 2,470 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 22,500 nm
Yokohama ETA: 234 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 186 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Solomon Islands (WP #1 / 2,875 nm) ETA: 4.0 days
Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, scattered thunderstorms
Barometer: 1011 hPa
Waves: 1.0 m
Wind (from): 9 - 12 kt E
Current: 0.5 kt from east
Engine: 5.75 hr @ 1500 rpm
Generator: 9.0 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef
Staysail: 0%
Genoa: 90%
Today's Report
Conditions much improved today after yesterday's gale subsided. However, weak and variable winds are forecast for next 2 days.
Added Comment
A problem was discovered and fixed involving the autopilot linkage that was causing wide swings in the hydraulic steering. After the swings grew increasingly worse, Saito-san traced it to a coupling that had become disengaged, and was able to put it back on. A sensor rod had also become displaced and was re-positioned. Both issues were fixed with the assistance of Mike Seymour, after several Iridium "road calls" were placed to him from Saito-san. Mike is serving as the shore-based engineer and was on the sea trials just prior to departure.
Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Position:
04 16N, 151 51E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 7.8%
Heading: 170
Boat speed: 5.0 kt (7-day average: 4.1 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 119 nm
Distance made good: 1,969 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 23,206 nm
Yokohama ETA: 242 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 193 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Solomon Islands (WP #1 / 3,000 nm) ETA: 13 days
Weather: Partly cloudy
Barometer: 1010 hPa
Waves: 1.5 m
Wind (from): 17 - 23 kt E (favorable)
Current: 0.5 kt from east
Engine: 6.0 hr @ 1,500 rpm
Generator: 8.0 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef
Staysail: furled
Genoa: 90%
Today's Report
The past 24 hours were good, once skies had cleared about noon yesterday. Trade winds are now out of the east at close to 20 kt steady, for a comfortable broad reach on a 170 heading. Current is out of the east so not opposing compared to more recently.
Our Inmarsat connection did not work today for some reason but the Iridium back-up phone served excellently. This is the first time we've had to fall back on the Iridium phone, but anticipate this will become more necessary in parts of the ocean where the higher bandwidth (thus clearer) Inmarsat phone does not have full satellite coverage. (The Inmarsat equipment was donated by Japan Radio Corporation, and the Iridium phone plus the comms fees by Clearpoint Weather.)
Added Comment
Clearpoint has added a web page dedicated to Saito Challenge 8 that makes it possible to see the weather at his position. The site is "interactive" allowing the selection of specific types of weather and sea condition information at his precise location.
We'll be writing more about Clearpoint Weather soon, and now there is a great website that puts it into perspective.
***
Bob Brumfield, Hunter's "baby brother," listened in on today's call via Skype on his mobile phone in San Antonio, Texas.
Bob, as a driver, was part of a 6-person search team that took a trip in 2007 by rental RV to Maine to check out a steel yacht that was up for sale. It was gorgeous and, unfortunately, too expensive. Nonetheless it helped us consider the absolute minimum that was needed for a westward circumnavigation, and the trip allowed Saito-san to renew some old BOC and Around Alone friendships in the Newport RI area.
Saito-san got a kick out of talking to Bob. He has a special affection for Texas, where he has several friends going back a number of years. One couple, ham radio operators, were daily voices to him as they cheered Saito-san along during the Atlantic portion of the 1990-91 BOC race. They finally could meet several years later and have stayed in contact since. Saito-san even carries a dried rattlesnake rattle they gave him for good luck.
Happy 50th, Bob!
Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 20 [Oct. 22, 0700 JST]
Position:
02 25N, 152 19E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 8.3%
Heading: 165
Boat speed: 4.8 kt (7-day average: 4.2 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 114 nm
Distance made good: 2,076 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 23,099 nm
Yokohama ETA: 229 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 192 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Solomon Islands (WP #1 / 3,000 nm) ETA: 11.5 days
Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, scattered thunderstorms
Barometer: 1010 hPa
Waves: 1.0 m
Wind (from): 11 - 16 kt E (favorable and steady tradewinds)
Current: 0.3 kt from east
Engine: 0 hr
Generator: 9.0 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef
Staysail: furled
Genoa: 90 to 100%
Today's Report
No success in getting the Inmarsat system back on line, after several trouble-shooting procedures were taken. Power, as shown by lighted LEDs, seems fine up to the Inmarsat handset, which is dark and silent. Questions about whether it was damaged by a lightning strike have been raised, though there is no immediately apparent physical evidence of that.
The back-up Iridium connection was very good and Saito-san could hear well.
He reported having a good 24 hours with winds steady and moderate seas. At one point a large thunderstorm approached but passed well off.
He said he expects open up the sails more later in the morning and was already clocking over 6 kt at the time of today's 0827 beacon report.
Added Comment
Saito-san bit into something hard yesterday and was dismayed to find "two, no wait -- three" teeth from an upper bridge had broken. "It's really bad," he rued, obviously contemplating 5 or 6 months of difficulty eating. This was not, he said, the same partial bridge his dentist replaced just a few weeks before departure. "Good thing you have lots of rice," we suggested. "Yes, I guess so," he said, laughing at some length.
Rice and boiled cabbage. His often-declared favorites, and as such part of our theory why only someone like Saito-san could relish 6 or 7 months apart from urban comforts, and thousands of miles from the nearest Big Mac.
***
At Day 20, he's cleared his second thousand miles, has just 160 nm left to the Equator, and about one-third of the distance remaining to the Solomon Islands, his first waypoint. He's edging back close to the 5 kt average under sails alone as the welcome tradewinds hold fair and stable out of the east.
Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 21 [Oct. 23, 0700 JST]
Position:
0 45N, 152 35E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 8.6%
Heading: 165
Boat speed: 4.4 kt (7-day average: 4.3 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 106 nm
Distance made good: 2,169 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 23,006 nm
Yokohama ETA: 223 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 190 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Solomon Islands (WP #1 / 3,000 nm) ETA: 9.5 days
Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, scattered thunderstorms
Barometer: 1010 hPa
Waves: 1.0 m
Wind (from): 10 - 12 kt ESE
Current: 0.3 kt from east
Engine: ? hr
Generator: 9.0 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef
Staysail: furled
Genoa: 90 to 100%
Today's Report
Still no success getting the Inmarsat comms system back on line, after more procedures were tried this morning with the help of James and JRC. There's growing concern of lightning damage to one of the components.
Winds moved back to contrary out of the ESE but for much of yesterday they were favorable.
Added Comment
Rei spoke with Saito-san and filed the following report:
There was a small thunderstorm last night. Squalls and thunderstorms in this area are not as large as those I had over past weeks. Even if you have strong rain, it will finish soon.
But they are still troublesome as they change wind direction very frequently. Once a thunderstorm starts, I become really busy running to grab sails, helming, etc. , and so I didn't sleep enough last night.
When I'm not having squalls, it is very quiet. I cannot see any birds, means there is no fish for them to eat. There is no dolphin either to play with, perhaps for the same reason.
Only one or two birds come towards the boat when I eat. They know I will give them some food. Very clever.
It is already 3 weeks since I left Japan, but I saw only a couple of beautiful sunrises.
Usually you can expect a bit more. Well, you can see things are always different on the sea
although you think you know the area very well.
This is where many typhoons are born in winter, but it is really quiet.
I'm expecting to cross the equator soon, hopefully this evening.
Color of the sea? it is still Black Current area.
Breakfast: (yesterday) last cheese & toast
(today) rice bread- this is really yummy!
Lunch (Rei could not hear him well because of noise from the non-Inmarsat connection)
Most vegetable have gone already. There are only a few onions, potatoes, carrots, and cabbages left.
Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 22 [Oct. 24, 0700 JST]
Position:
00 44S, 152 44E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 9.1%
Heading: 170
Boat speed: 3.7 kt (7-day average: 4.3 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 89 nm
Distance made good: 2,260 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 22,710 nm
Yokohama ETA: 220 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 189 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Solomon Islands (WP #1 / 2,875 nm) ETA: 6.0 days
Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, scattered thunderstorms
Barometer: 1011 hPa
Waves: 1.0 m
Wind (from): 10 - 15 kt ESE
Current: 0.6 kt from east
Engine: 9 hr @ 1500 rpm
Generator: 9.0 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef
Staysail: furled
Genoa: 90 to 100%, furled during thunderstorms
Today's Report
Saito-san crossed the Equator about 7 pm last night, for what is one of the highpoints in any oceanic sailing adventure.mThe celebratory practice by crews in the early sailing ships was a good dowsing in the bosun's chair for all Equator first-timers.
For him the event was welcome but just another in his storied sailing career. When he passed it last February on the trip down from Hawaii to Auckland he guessed he'd crossed the Equator "34 or 35 times."
And since then, he's done it twice more.
***
Saito-san reports three thunderstorms in the past 24 hours; though not bad, each requires pre- and post-squall sail modifications, tacking, course corrections, and constant vigilance for the next one. Saito-san seemed less tired this morning though said he could only catch brief naps.
Winds stayed contrary out of the ESE and will remain out of the ESE and occasionally SE (nearly head-on) for the next 2 days at about 10 kt. Saito-san reports a "strong" current that shows on Clearpoint as 0.6 kt out of the east.
He mentioned a return of the auto-pilot steering problems in which the helm swings as much as 20 degrees from the set heading for unknown reasons.
Added Comment
We made a waypoint alteration today as Saito-san clarified that he is planning to pass between Papua New Guinea (to his west) and the Solomon Islands (to his east).
This effectively cut the total distance for Waypoints 1 & 2 by 205 nm. Thus, the total circumnavigation route is being calculated as 24,970 nm, instead of 25,175. (Additional modifications are anticipated as he proceeds.)
Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 23 [Oct. 25, 0700 JST]
Position:
02 25S, 152 59E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 9.5%
Heading: 165
Boat speed: 4.3 kt (7-day average: 4.3 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 104 nm
Distance made good: 2,361 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 22,609 nm
Yokohama ETA: 219 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 188 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Solomon Islands (WP #1 / 2,875 nm) ETA: 5.0 days
Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, scattered thunderstorms
Barometer: 1012 hPa
Waves: 1.0 m
Wind (from): 17 - 21 kt ESE
Current: 0.6 kt from east
Engine: 8.5 hr @ 1500 rpm / 0.5 hr @ 2000 rpm
Generator: 9.0 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef
Staysail: furled
Genoa: 90 to 100% (furled during thunderstorms)
Today's Report
Saito-san crossed the Equator about 7 pm the night before last, for what is always a major highpoint in any oceanic sailing adventure. The celebratory practice by crews in the early sailing ships was a good dowsing in the bosun's chair for all Equator first-timers.
For him the event was welcome but just another in his storied sailing career. When he passed it last February on the trip down from Hawaii to Auckland he guessed he'd crossed the Earth's midline "34 or 35 times."
And since then, he's done it twice more.
Added Comment
An emailed question and the response:
How's he doing with his busted teeth? Is he not allowed to get even medical assistance except in life-threatening situations?
Boyd Gatlin
Starkville, Mississippi
Nope... even if he runs out of beer!
He's ok about it, typically stalwart about such things. In his last Around Alone he broke a finger of his left hand in the last two weeks and did the rest of the voyage truly "single-handed." That finger is pretty crooked now, but he can grasp lines.
He actually feels that non-stop circumnavigations are easier/safer because you don't need to make ports or go near land.
P.S.
Joking of course about the beer, but he does have a daily ration of one much-enjoyed cold can of Asahi, especially now that he is in the balmy climes of the Equator.
Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 24 [Oct. 26, 0700 JST]
Position:
02 38S, 153 49E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 9.6%
Heading: 180
Boat speed: 2.7 kt (7-day average: 4.2 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 64 nm
Distance made good: 2,389 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 22,580 nm
Yokohama ETA: 218 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 187 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Solomon Islands (WP #1 / 2,875 nm) ETA: 4.5 days
Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, scattered thunderstorms
Barometer: 1008 hPa
Waves: 2.0 m (3.0 - 4.0 m yesterday)
Wind (from): 17 - 20 kt ESE
Current: 0.6 kt from east
Engine: 8.0 hr @ 1500 rpm / 0.5 @ 1900 rpm
Generator: 9.0 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef / 3-pt during gale
Staysail: 50% during gale
Genoa: 90 to 100% (furled during gale)
Today's Report
Moderate gale durin the day yesterday, with winds up to 35 kt and 3 to 4 m seas. Required him to moto0sail into the winds/east for much of the day so not much progress was made on the route.
Added Comment
This was his worst weather and least progress made on the voyage so far, making 64 nm but only about 35 nm toward Waypoint 1. But the boat did well in the gale conditions. All sails in good shape, Saito-san reports. He reported a "wild" uncontrolled tack at about 2 am when the wind suddenly shifted, but he was able to recover quickly.
Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
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Day 25 [Oct. 27, 0700 JST]
Position:
04 01S, 153 44E
Distance completed to Yokohama finish: 9.8%
Heading: 170
Boat speed: 3.5 kt (7-day average: 4.0 kt)
Distance in last 24 hours: 84 nm
Distance made good: 2,470 nm
Distance remaining to Yokohama: 22,500 nm
Yokohama ETA: 234 days (based on 7-day ave. boat speed)
Expected ETA: 186 days (assumes 120-nm daily ave.)
Solomon Islands (WP #1 / 2,875 nm) ETA: 4.0 days
Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, scattered thunderstorms
Barometer: 1011 hPa
Waves: 1.0 m
Wind (from): 9 - 12 kt E
Current: 0.5 kt from east
Engine: 5.75 hr @ 1500 rpm
Generator: 9.0 hr
Sails
Main: 2-pt reef
Staysail: 0%
Genoa: 90%
Today's Report
Conditions much improved today after yesterday's gale subsided. However, weak and variable winds are forecast for next 2 days.
Added Comment
A problem was discovered and fixed involving the autopilot linkage that was causing wide swings in the hydraulic steering. After the swings grew increasingly worse, Saito-san traced it to a coupling that had become disengaged, and was able to put it back on. A sensor rod had also become displaced and was re-positioned. Both issues were fixed with the assistance of Mike Seymour, after several Iridium "road calls" were placed to him from Saito-san. Mike is serving as the shore-based engineer and was on the sea trials just prior to departure.
Weather Forecast
Generated using ClearPoint Weather (a Saito Challenge 8 supporting sponsor)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
posted by ClearPoint Weather - Weather Decision Technologies Inc. at
11/10/2008 09:17:00 PM
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