Today's Report
April 25/10 0800 JST / 1700 local
Position:
01°11'S, 94°37'W (South Pacific Ocean, toward the Galápagos)
Clear skies on flatter seas but weaker winds saw Saito-san move 100 nm closer to the Galápagos during the period. The weather is "beautiful, really beautiful" he reported, but his slow speed under sails against the unrelenting west-bound current forced him to motor for half the day.
At his morning call JST he was 270 nm of Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. That should put him in Puerto Aroya in about 2 1/2 days.
***
He continues to sound rested, after the hydraulic leak virtually stopped and the potential for suddenly losing steering seemed to be over. He asked us for information about whether to expect anchorage or buoy mooring when he arrives. We told him we would get that question answered.
We also began discussion on the several waypoints he should follow, since his navigational chart of the area does not show much detail for the islands or the approach.
We set WP1 to have him clear Isla Isabella to the south about 10 nm. That point was exactly 200 nm east of his position at 1700 local time, and after that it's just 70 miles more to Puerto Ayora.
We set WP1 to have him clear Isla Isabella to the south about 10 nm. That point was exactly 200 nm east of his position at 1700 local time, and after that it's just 70 miles more to Puerto Ayora.
***
Distance to Puerto Ayora: 270 nm
Heading: 100
Reported boat speed: 5.5 kts (motoring)
Average boat speed. 4.2 kts
Weather: Clear
Temperature: 27.0° C
Barometer: 1007 hPa (steady)
Wind (from): 9-10 kts, SSE expected to be 10-12 S for next 19 hours
Current (from): E at 1.0 - 1.5 kt (unfavorable)
Engine rpms: 12 hrs, 1800 rpm
Generator: 0.0 hrs
Sails: Genoa 100%, staysail 0%, mainsail 1-pt reef
Position Map (click to enlarge)
