Near, but not near enough

Posted on September 2, 2009 by Nick

The voyage so far has not been exactly as I expected. But I guess there in lies the problem: Expectation… As mentioned in my last post from out here, the wind shadow created by the Big Island sheilded us from big seas and strong winds, yet the shelter didn’t last long before Constellation was flying amongst rather large walls of water. Eventually things calmed, and then calmed a little too much, until the big sea remained, and the wind disappeared… Being becalmed is hard enough, but being becalmed in a swell is enough to want to make you jump off the ship. The wind did return, went away, returned, the sea flattened, and I watched DVD’s to pass the time, with stars reflecting on a glassy ocean.

Surrounded by odd weather systems, and Tropical Storm Hilda hovering around to our east, the weather as I’ve been trying to explain has been unpredictable, and frankly not what I expected. Not to mention the fishing: Are there any fish left, may I ask? Or have the great Tuna clippers drained the Pacific? I’ve seen the pictures in Kontiki, as Thor hauled fish after fish aboard: I’ve hauled nothing aboard except an empty line. Not only have I not seen fish, I’ve not really seen anything at all. Not a ship, not a plane, just a few bits of rubbish, and a coconut drifting by.

There is however, no point displaying disappointment in all this, because it is what it is, but I guess I just expected steady trades all the way down to Palmyra, and a fish or two to keep my cans of beef stew unopened… And so, with 280nm to go, the wind is predicted to shift right onto my nose, and I have no idea when we might make landfall…

For those interested, I’m in the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) right now, which is a band of strangeness (yes, I am a meteorologist…) hovering near the equator, creating hot, humid and squally conditions. It’s too hot outside to enjoy the cooling breeze, and down below it feels like the chart table is melting and my mind is turning to mush. There is no escape… And yes, I have seriously considered redirecting to British Columbia.

[Sorry folks, this should have gone up a few days ago, but it got spam-trapped for some reason. - Marty.]

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  • Nina

    It’s so funny that every day on my way in to work, I look out over the ocean and think “Freedom!” with a deep inhale and a huge sigh. Then, I read this and a few other ocean adventure blogs and I think, “No, no. It’s not like that at all. You can’t be right.” Thanks for doing what you are doing and for sharing it with the world. Despite the heat, humidity, and calm seas, I still want to try it.

    Much Success,
    Nina

  • haidan

    Well that sucks… weathers nice up here in BC, wind warm (enough) and still no rain. You’re welcome anytime I’m planning on making my first trip to Vancouver in a week or so. maybe I’ll see you there.

  • anne

    Hang in there, mate! This reminds me of a 6 week trip from the Solomons to Fiji – against very light trade winds and massive swells. I was so sick of the boat and the daily nothingness that my diary of those weeks is still boring me shitless – on land, years later! Mind you, at the moment I would give a lot to be able to cruise around for just a day. Or two. in the swell and heat. so can you do this for me: Enjoy one day just for anne. And then the next one you can get back to being annoyed about being almost immobile! Thanks heaps. I feel more relaxed already! Kia Kaha

  • alex

    Thats the beauty of sailing, unavoidable suffering brings utmost pleasure when things go right! Suffering make people more human, because everything is so numb and safe nowadays.

    Enjoy every second for us, we will be coach saling with you. We might even try the same some day, because you tried and finished your goal ..

  • Jen

    Pics look awesome! Blog is great, as are the updates.

    Very best of luck for the next leg to Samoa, hope you get some decent sailing in before you hit home. That’s what it’s all about after all =)

    Hoping you get some wonderful weather and wishing you happiness for this leg.

    =)