Today's Report
June 12/11 0800 JST
Position: 20°32'N, 175°56'E
Remaining to Yokohama finish: 2,404 nm / 8.8% (ETA: 27 - 30 days)
Nearly ideal sailing conditions prevailed on slightly rising seas with strong and steady winds that pushed NBSDIII along at an average speed of 3.8 kts for the period. At the time of his call, Saito-san reported a boat speed of 5.0 kts. Considering the drastically shortened main that was cut down to 3pt-reef size to remove weather-weakened areas in Hawaii, this is more than might be expected on a downwind tack. He's also keeping the genoa at 80% to reduce strain on the mast.
Saito-san expressed delight during the morning's call over the 92 nm of DOG, which measures 84 nm toward Yokohama on Google Earth. Since he re-entered the Trades 2 days ago he has knocked 161 nm off the distance to Yokohama, now 2,404 nm away. He expects to follow a route directly west for 1,500 nm, then sharply north at the 150th longitude where he wants to catch a ride on the fast-flowing Kuroshio (Black) Current that sweeps up and past Japan.
He reported the winds have increased to 12-18 kts and, according to ClearPoint Weather, they should stay like that for at least the next several days.
He jibed after sunup to bring his heading to 285°, and expects to jibe every day or two to stay within a roughly 80-nm easterly wind band falling between latitudes 20° and 21.5° N.
[Click to enlarge]
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Distance in last 24 hours: 92 nm DOG
Total distance completed: 25,872 nm
To Yokohama: 2,404 nm (measured)
Average daily DMG over last 2 days of sailing: 80 nm (measured)
ETA: 27 days
Heading: 285
Reported boat speed: 5.0 kts
Average boat speed: 3.8 kts
Weather: Overcast; occasional rain; warm
Temperature: 26.5° C
Barometer: 1017 hPa
Wind (from): 12-18 kt ENE
Waves: 2.0 m
Sails: Genoa 80%, staysail 0%, mainsail 3pt reef
Engine: 0 hrs
Generator: 8 hrs
[Weather and wind forecasts are from ClearPoint Weather, a Saito 8 contributing sponsor.]
