Tuesday July 12
S 0 38.883 W 136 58.754
561 miles from the East side of Hiva Oa
It appears that many folks are paying attention to my progress and position. I have even received emails from other boats sailing to the same destinations. A number of folks have asked about my speed and occasional lack OF. I am having to balance several issues unique to my boat and the fact that I am single handing. I have a leak in the Starboard bulwark so when I am heeled in the 15-20 deg range I am getting water into the cabin. My solution for the moment is to reduce my heel angle when possible. This equates to carrying less sail and going slower. Another is the cabin of my boat is asymmetrical, I am confined to sleeping in a berth on the Port side of the boat. I am held in the rather large berth by a Lee cloth, a piece of fabric stretched across the edge of the berth. With a good heel angle I am sleeping on the fabric. It is not very secure so when sleeping I prefer for comfort and safety sake to have less heel angle. Lastly the issue with my watermaker that I have mentioned before, I can’t sail normally on a Port tack and make water at the same time, it requires less heel and keeping the bow in the water = slower. I am fine with these compromises but I am slower than anticipated. I will address at least the watermaker and the leak in Tahiti. The design features will take a new boat to remedy.
Let’s talk about navigation a bit. My destination is almost due South of me. The winds are from due East. However there is a 1.5 kn current from the South East. If I were to steer 180 deg, Due South I would end up being set West. To solve this I have altered course to the East by 10-20 Deg to compensate. I am in a very dynamic environment, the wind direction varies by 20 or more degrees each side of East. When I hit a squall it can vary by lots
more. My self steering gear is not precise either so all together we must average all the variables out and adjust frequently to reach the destination.
Charts, all of my charts are electronic. My chart plotter has a base map of the world but this is not detailed. You have to purchase detailed electronic charts for each region that you wish to sail. I just switched out of my Western North America detailed charts for the South Pacific region charts as I approach Hiva Oa.
Ben Lindner, S/V DAWN
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