daily satphone report sunday 13/1/13 1400 hrs
Position - 14*50.8'N
                 70*.07'W
Course 240 degrees True at 7 knots
Wind E 19
A cheerful Katie reports wind has picked up to 19 knots, the wind has gone more Easterly so the gib is no longer goosewinged on the opposite side to the mainsail, they have taken down the jib pole and are sailing on port gybe a little faster.  She is feeling tired but not seasick anymore, Gary is sounding very cheerful and confident, they are seeing dolphins every day, and saw baby dolphins today.  3 container ships sighted today, and they can see a yacht ahead (slowly getting bigger as they overtake her).
Looking forward to reaching half way point tomorrow morning sometime - in the family tradition Gary must organise a captains party to celebrate; Katie hopes she'll be invited!
Forecast for steady 20 knot easterlies.

Daily Satphone report Saturday 12/1/13 1400 hrs

Position : 15* 59' N; 67*34.2'W

Course 240*
Speed 6.6 knots
Wind 15 knots ENE
Moderate swell

A reasonably cheerful Katie reports the wind is a bit light and so Toodles is rolling along in the swell.  With the wind almost behind the sails don't hold her steady and there is not enough wind to really get going.  She was seasick last night but recovering today.  Everything going well on board.  Katie is off watch and heading back below for some sleep.
Forecast is for the same conditions through tonight and tomorrow, then hopefully the wind will pick up to around 20 knots.
Posted by Andrew.

Friday 11/1/13 Daily satphone report 1400 hrs:

Position 17*48.35' N; 65*11.0' W
Course 225* true
Speed 6.5 Knots
Wind ENE 12 -14 Knots
Sea - slight, moderate swell.
A very cheerful Katie reports great weather, wishes she had more wind, St Croix disappearing behind, Puerto Rico just visible to starboard (the last sight of land for the next 6 days or so);  got off to a great start at 6am sailing at 8 knots in 20 knot winds and flat water between the virgin islands, but has slowed down since with lighter winds and more swell.  Forecast is for the wind to increase back up to 20 knots.
Have seen two ships pass close by and spoke on the radio to them, a third ship passed close and kept altering course but did not respond to the radio - passed close enough to wave to the helmsman in the wheelhouse.
Very comfortable sailing - no problem going below and cooking.
Really great sailing - fingers crossed it stays good for the next 6 days or so!


(posted by Andrew Eaglen, Kate's Dad)

Almost on Our Way Home

We have been a bit delayed in our passage to Panama, waiting on our insurance company to renew our policy to cover ocean passages, as well as one thing and another.  The weather has also been rather unsettled lately with 30, gusting 40knot winds at times.

We are now all prepared to leave Friday morning our time (Saturday night NZ time).  The trip should take about 7 days.  Here is a wee chart of where we are and where we are heading.

The weather is looking good for heading off Friday morning, a steady 20 knots and more consistent.

We will endeavor to get a position update on the blog each day, but if you don't get it, don't be alarmed.  We will probably be a bit busy throwing up over the side, clinging on for dear life, or whoohooing from the helm.

Our starting position is:  18*25.43North - 64*37.06West (*=degrees)

Wish us luck!

Jaunt to Jost Van Dyke

With only days left in the BVI before our trip down to Panama, we decided to head to Jost Van Dyke, the only island in the BVI we had yet to visit.  

We are really enjoying the BVI, that has to be one of the best (if not the best) cruising grounds in the world.  The islands are perfectly placed, with only an hour or so voyage between the closest and 3 hours between the furthest.  This means that it is easy to make day trips to here and there and back again.  Every island is as picturesque as the last, and there is a bar in every bay...perfect!

We make good time from Norman Island to Jost Van Dyke in 25kts of breeze with full sail, practicing for our Caribbean Sea crossing.  

Of course the first thing we do upon arriving is to head ashore to the bar.  We wander the main street/beach and decide to stop at Foxy's, which is a bit of an institution here.  Foxy's is decorated in memorabilia left from past party goers from T-shirts to flags and business cards.    We order some mango smoothies, kick back and enjoy the view.

Cooper Island Beach Resort

Happy New Year!

We had a fairly uneventful one, going out to dinner at Norman Island Pirates Bight, then heading back to the boat for the final yahoo.  

We had a wonderful lunch out today at Cooper Island Beach Resort, and I just wanted to share some pictures of the recent redesign with you.

Snorkeling at the Caves on Norman Island

A bit of underwater photography care of Gary and his extraordinarily long flippers.