Sailing to Hawaii News

On the 65' MacGregor Chris and crew at Vancouver B.C. readying for the sail toward Hawaii.

Day 1 SailBlog 8/29/08

hi folks, welcome to sail blog #1 the voyages of Orisha

first is info on Wim's sat phone:

Iridium phone. Here are instructions on how to get a hold of me for the next few weeks..

Goto: www.iridium.com

Click on " Send a Satellite Message

In the "To" field put the number: 8816 314 24078 (the first 4 digits are prefilled)

In the message field, type your message. Press "send message"

Making or receiving phone call on the Iridium phone is expensive. but these messages are FREE.

Orisha left Vancouver this morning in rainy overcast, motoring out into English Bay. Tom, Mike's Dada followed us along shore, waving and taking pictures.

We found some SW wind and sailed south on Strait of Georgia, eventually backing to NW and Sunshine, taking out the genoa we made good although headed by the current , becoming overpowered after time and back to cutter jib only. We made landfall at Sturdies Bay after dodging ferries and picked up Ole Ann Rockefella. Then continued south in the evening sun sailing through a pod of orcas to arrive at Bedwell Harbor Pender Island for the night. A musical sorte by sunset finished the day with Wim on accordion and Chris fishing for notes on saxophone.

You can track our progress and position at YOTREPS.com by our ssb call sign WDE5410

Please keep any messages to us short and no file attachments or forwards as our baud rate is very slow over ssb sailmail.

Got to go, we still have much organizing and preparations for heading to Sooke tomorrow, Looks like we have a good weather coming for heading out on Sunday into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

8/30/08

we left Bedwell with the tide at 6:30 am , motoring south on Haro Strait, making good speed at 11 knots overground. About 2 hours later the engine overheat alarm came on, we shut it down and as we drifted south with the current Chris and Gordon dove into the engine problem, observing that no fresh cooling water was exiting the exhaust, and exploring the usual sceneries, eventually replacing the fresh water impeller at some elbow effort, at the same time Chris directed Wim and Mike to start up the dingy motor and tow Orisha several miles to Oak Bay directly west. Ole assisted with navigation. By the time we arrived in Harbor we had almost finished the impeller replacement, thanks to Gordon's mechanical savvy. Gordon jumped into the cold water to check the water intake through hull which was clear, perhaps the offending seaweed had fallen off. After repaired we ran the engine which confirmed the issue had been resolved, hopefully for good :) We decided to spend the remainder of the day at anchor as we had lost the tide, and finished offshore preparations and boat organization. Storm sails were put up and harness jack lines run. Chris made salad for all and While Chris changed engine and transmission oil, Gordon worked on trysail sliders, Wim,Mike, and Ole went to town for last minute provisions.

Goal tomorrow is head out and make as much westing on Juan de Fuca, and pending conditions will either continue for the ocean or overnight in Sooke.

It may occur that we cannot receive/send sailmail if we have poor ssb reception, usually due to a cold front or clouds/rain. If we should miss a sail blog please do not be overly concerned.

8/31/08

Today we left Oak Bay early, after 20 minutes of motoring overheating problem reoccurred. after shutting down the engine we "dingyed" back (tied dingy to side of boat and crawled along with outboard) to Oak Bay with some help from light wind and Genoa. Calls were made to find a mechanic, and after reaching one discussed over the phone and found some other solutions, which was pull of exhaust side of water at exhaust elbow, found it caked with calcium deposits which were causing exit flow restriction that back upped the raw water system, chris rode 6 miles each way on bike to get clr cleaner, pipe cleaner, and other supplies, wim and gordon did the elbow on this while chris changed fuel filter. ole and mike made nachos which were quickly devoured by all. nice sun sitting on the boat watching all the other sailboats sail by... Engine back together ran at idle for some time with no problems. Will try again tomorrow under load at speed heading west on Juan de Fuca. crossing fingers this time...otherwise will call in the mechanic to the boat.

9/1/08

We discovered this morning unfortunately that our repairs to the engine did not resolve the overheating issue and so have calls out to mechanics to hopefully come out tomoorw, this being a holiday weekend. Very possibly it may involve parts ordering etc. and so we are delayed in Oak Bay, perhaps for a week since we have missed our nice weather window for departure this week and by thrusday/friday a new gale will be offshore and so after hopefully resolving engine issue this week our plan is to depart perhaps by beginning of next week. Oak Bay is quite a nice anchorage spot to be stranded, friendly folks at the marina lent us keys to shower and washer/dryer. Had nice conversations with the folks at whale watch today, confirming more sightings of orca pods today on Haro Strait, quite possible the same pod we sailed through several days ago. Gordon went back to Vancouver for a few days to try to continue to sell his motorcycle and attend to perhaps a new moorage possibility for his boat there. Wim went for a walkabout to Victoria today. Chris enjoyed a nice nap on deck. Ole and Mike spent some time decorating the cabin and practicing knots, then went to shore for the sunset.

9/2/08

today we received very sad news, Wim's father passed away suddenly. Wim is leaving for Holland tonight. He may or may not rejoin us after the funeral. I have some emails/calls out to some another crew prospects, although we still have enough required for voyage. In meantime we limped over to Cadburo bay several miles where we can get engine worked on by mechanic perhaps today. A gale has moved in anyway suddenly offshore which we may have been caught out in had we left earlier.

9/7/08

Ok, I am sitting here watching all the sailboats sailing around me in Cadboro Bay, little boats with 10 year olds, lasers and 420's with teenagers and older folks with young hearts, and bigger boats heading out and back...beautiful sunny sailing days..10-15 knots, but there is a chill in the air of fall, and evenings and mornings are colder now. Time to head south to tropical waters.

welcoming new crew member Ron Hofmann, a 54 year old elementary school teacher from Surrey BC on sabbatical. He sailed from Vancouver to Hawaii and New Zealand some years ago, now excited to do it again, and perhaps get on another boat in Hawaii heading south....

Tomorrow they should be finishing up the engine work, unless can't get last minute gasket until Tuesday morning. Crew coming back out and provisioning and then we will run drills, storm sails again, and pack everything away snugly. All working out, looks like next offshore weather window out the Strait of Juan de Fuca is wed and Thursday, and we may head out as soon as ready perhaps with the tide on Tuesday for Sooke only 30 miles. Another boater here just came in with a 20 lb salmon they caught off of Sooke, so Gordon our fisherman should be excited about those prospects. Fresh fish for our dinner is sounding pretty good already, hoping to catch tuna also as we get offshore..

Wim left us the SAT phone, here is information again for sending very short messages. We miss him, but he is with us in spirit as we will be running his conscientious safety list - Hopefully he will join up in Hawaii soon :)

9/10/08

"Finally" mike says, so we are off again, after engine work which is now happily resolved to my great satisfaction, although it was financial setback ($3,000) I hadn't planned on, it is a good investment in the future and my confidence in the boat. I worked alongside the mechanic (Joel) learning and also saving on any labor I could do under his direction, he was a great young man who worked diligently to get us on our way. He came out and did a sea trial with us just to be sure we had no more overheating issues. We also installed a temp and oil gauge so we can now closely monitor before sounding any alarms.

It was a good break though for others, Gordon was able to make better moorage arrangements for his boat, and also sold his motorcycle. Ole and Mike had fun with friends and also helped Ole's sister move into a new place in Victoria. I did lots of laundry and washed all sleeping bags too. Lornet was able to make a quick fun trip up on the Victoria clipper and we did the town over the weekend, enjoying an amazing and funny street juggler who did various tricks including juggling a chain saw and fire sticks. His jokes were the best part, quite goofy..

Gordon is really looking forward to getting back to Hawaii.

Ron says he hasn't had a beer taste so good in ten years, Wim's favorite, Boddington's!

Ole & Mike made a great guacamole and later an amazingly good (thai green curry) Coconut Chicken Vegetable over Rice dish, which used up our aging veggies.

SO after much organizing today, safety preparations and going over our list, we motored back over to Oak Bay to top off on fuel to find that the pump was closed earlier now for fall hours. We sat there pondering our plan of how we were going to get an important last 15 gallons before the ocean and here came the girl who was coming out to check on something else and she said it was our "lucky day" and she opened up the pump and we got our fuel, what good fortune.

So tomorrow we head over to Sooke, final provisions, stow "zoom" our dingy tender/motor and prepare for a very early departure Thursday am, weather permitting of course which looks favorable at this point. High pressure is in good location, although we may have a bumpy ride getting offshore and some strong breezes to power us along.

9/10/08

so we are having more adventures o a boating kind, had nice trip yesterday from Oak Bay, motored several hours and then sailed slowly while Gordon tried fishing, salmon running in the area. No luck there we headed into Sooke, anchored and I napped while everyone went to town for last provisions. Then we packed everything up, ding motor aboard and dingy stowed, storm sails up, final rigging and lines done, then packed away..was 11pm before bedtime. AT 4 am I heard scurrying of little feet on deck, came up to see half dozen what we are calling "minks" about a foot long rat looking things in the cockpit, they were as startled as I and scurried back into the water, where I noticed another dozen swimming about leaving phosphorescent trails...went back to sleep fitfully for another several hours, heard them again come aboard. So the swim steps are quite inviting...

last night we decided to re anchor as drifted too close to a crab pot bouy and when anchoring noticed problem shifting boat into gear, bad sound coming from transmission, investigated further to find that dipstick had broken off at top threads, apparently the mechanic who was last checked this over tightened and broke the plastic fitting as when I just checked it it just kept spinnning and then just pulled off. some fluid had come out the top when under pressure, hopefully not too much to do any permanent damage..but enough to prevent smooth shifting...we are crossing our fingers. Have ordered a new dipstick, may take several days...so fate is telling us to enjoy this beautiful weather in sooke, hiking trails await and even more time to further organize the boat and relax before offshore challenges. weather windows look ok for another week out.

9/11/08

"Finally," says everyone, Orisha is departing Sooke early tomorrow morning and heading out for the wild blue yonder! A calm forcast on the Strait bodes well. Mechanical issues resolved we are now more focused and ready for what nature will bring us, which looks favorable. Gale today offshore is dropping tomorrow, leaving us with fresh breezes over the next few days for a good offing and to sail due west for several hundred miles.

Pacific Marine found a new dip stick and drove it over meeting us at the fuel dock at Sunny Shores on Sooke basin, which is the last fuel, water and civilization including an ice cream bar. Sooke basin is salt water about the size of north Lake Washington, we were one of perhaps several sailboats boats out there today. A very shallow (11' min today) and narrow several mile passageway connects it to the outer Sooke moorage area. An old tug listing aground on the mud bar stands as sentinel reminder of navigational foolishness.

Today Ole fixed the head which was clogged with sea grass which abounds. We are all glad!

We are awaiting eagerly the attack of the sea rats (minks) tonight, but Chris is going to bed.

Gordon is out there in the dark now crabbing!

9/12/08

ok, yesterdays blog should have been 9/11, today is Friday 9/12, I was living in UTC time code which is usually a day ahead here!

currently at 48 25 97 by 124 19 31 middles of Strait of Juan de Fuca. Heading west taking broadly out the strait.. We left around 1pm originally heading motoring for Port Renfew, wind picked up and decided to continue out tonight. After an hour of motoring went to sail and decided not to stop as Conditions are good, 15-20 knots NW, 2 foot wind waves, and 4 foot swell. We are making 5 -7 knots with 1 reef in main and staysail. WInd has dropped lately to 10 - 15 and Current is now with us adding a boost. Had fog this morning very thick, and reports of small craft advisory offshore, waited until fog lifted and advisory was changed to end this evening, and then offshore flow will start tomorrow and good window of NE and N winds to make a beam reach west god speed. Fog still off to the north and can't see Vancouver Island.

put on a scopalimine patch this morning, feeling ok right now. getting evening weather faxes. Gordon and Ron are up on duty, Ole and Mike on from 8p-12a. I'll see them on for a bit and then head for a nap myself. There are some ships passing, AIS shows them great! and radar too!

Wonderful sunset right now and clear sky out to the west as forecast for tonight, no fog in that direction, and we'll have a waxing moon on this trip to see us through for the next week.

9/13/08

reporting from 48 25 39 by 125 33 82 about 35 miles off Cape FLattery. Last night on strait wind died and to avoid wallowing there in the 5 foot swell we motored slowly over to Port San JUan and anchored around 1am. also had problems with furler on staysail, would not roll properly, so had to drop sail on deck, in the morning light motored over to port renfew dock, topped off with water,and Mike went up the mast in bosun chair and helped resolve problem the jamming at top. we did some more final organizing, topping off tank with 3 of the fuel jugs, and left around 1pm, motoring west eventually into fog for several hours, some confused seas at mouth of Strait of Juan de Fuca and some pounding into waves that washed over the bow, every 7th or so was quite large. as soon as we cleared the cape seas mellowed and fog cleared to a wonderful sunset sail bearing 230* in 10-15 knots flying all sails making 6-7 knots average. in a few hours we will turn and head south a for a while as see forecast higher seas more offshore. looks like high pressure is breaking up soon and we need to get clear of the new low coming...we are just squeaking by on the last of this good September weather.

very nice sailing by moonlight right now and making good speed.

9/14/08

Greetings from the Pacific Ocean, we are off Portland approx. 120 miles. Conditions are breezy 20-25 knots and we are flying downwind at speeds up to 11 knots, swell is wavy and 2 - 3 meters. Looks like we are making good time in following seas on the quarter. We are settling into a watch routine.

Last night had sailing by moonlight with the occasional faint lights of a fishing boat on the horizon, otherwise all we can see is water and waves.

Currently have only main up in some gusty conditions, heading downwind at 150* off the wind from the north, forecast is for winds to drop some by nighttime. Today's 24 hour run est. is 150 miles.

9/15/08

Midday Sunday we have tacked back towards coast heading 152* we are making 7.1 knots and enjoying smoother 6 foot seas and 10-15 knots of wind , high overcast with sun breaks ,so much more relaxing :) we will be taking down this 129* line today. Last night was nightmare of gusty winds shearing from different directions and 10 foot confused seas breaking as a cold front passed with dark rainy squalls obscuring our full moon, causing several unexpected jibes :( we all were waiting for the dawn

New weather info shows low approaching our position and smoother seas and gentler winds towards the coast in a few days:)

the high pressure we need to sail to Hawaii has moved far south :(

given this information our plan is hugging coast out 50 miles in na few days as if heading to San Francisco as bail out for a week unless new high fills in from east and southern high pressure dissipates providing an alley of wind to Hawaii. No one aboard wants to motor through the high to get there. We are also watching a low off southern CA, pending possible development of new gales pattern of CA coast,downside of this is we get trapped in San Francisco waiting for another weather window , we will know more in 48 hours as weather updates

Much of the weather predictions we have had have not always been entirely the case, so we are on guard for exploring our options at every weather update and positioning ourselves for best outcome, its like playing chess blindfolded.. Several folks (Wim and Jeff B) are also forwarding friendly info and analysis which we ponder as sage advices we look over the weather faxes and make decisions, much thanks!

Gordon says I like it squiggly

Ron says "Ah geez, wishing you were here?"

Ole and Mike say "snore" this is their day off to sleep

Chris says when can I get 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep? reminds me of baby daze.

9/16/08

We are becalmed about 300 miles off Oregon coast rolling mercilessly in the swell. Considering motoring,(expensive) waiting for some wind.

Had nice sailing last two days, 10-15 knots heading south between 129 and 130. thenwind died, light rain now but Sunshine today earlier, Gordon and Mike dove into the sea to wash off. Making water right now, I'd prefer a shower since I saw a dorsal fin earlier. Not sure if a killer whale or shark. Water is deep blue in color. Saw an albatross, and also little birds that fly like bats, looked like bats to me. Fullmoon now, sailing at night enjoyable. Just waiting for some wind...

We have decided to motor 180 due south to hopefully make wind and better weather at 40N, estimate will take 20 hours @9 knots and use up approx 60 gallons or 1/3 of our fuel.

We see low pressure storm system coming soon and want to be out the way, also southerly winds coming too which would cause us to beat to weather,and perhaps take too long and miss better weather window at 40N, better motoring over smooth and gently rolling seas now that we are at speed much more comfortable then wallowing in the swells, perhaps we may pick up wind sooner.

9/17/08

Currently 268 miles due west of a shoreline point about halfway between Crescent City and Eureka. We have made it to California!

After motoring all night southeast through fog and squalls and away from the doldrums, the merciless rocking and rolling, and the encroaching low pressure zone we were successful in finding wind and smooth sailing by morning, as well as optimistic future weather reports for our weather window to Hawaii. We will continue southing at the 129-130* corridor, currently beating with southerly 10-20 knot winds in smoother seas with 2 foot wind waves. Seems like just a nice day sail on the lake or Saratoga passage except no land in sight! Looks like 4 -5 more days of hopefully this easy southing and eventually the wind will be on the beam and then over the rear quarter for the run west closer to 20*.

Had some sunshine today. People were in good spirits. Corn beef and hash is on the menu for dinner!

9/18/08

updated and sent 9/19 am due to transmission difficulties evening of 9/18

We are approx 130 miles off Northern CA, sailing slowly south with a SE wind and small-moderate swell.

Last 36 hours has been quite an endurance, running away through messy seas from a surprise near gale that we just escaped, caused by a low that moved down on us as we were heading south along 130 longitude, previously hoping to make a corner at 30* and head sw for Hawaii, that option closed we are now planning a run south approx between 50-100 miles offshore with light southerly winds for 48 hours then northerly winds beginning saturday, hoping this ride continues downwind with these the offshore flow and rounding high pressure at 27* and then the trades ...

9/21/08

38 n07.88

126 w 29.83

heading 220

7.7 knot ave run today

Sunshine! After what seems like days of dreary cold pacific weather overcast rainy fog stormy etc. we have glorious Sun!

We turned SW today away from the coast hopefully for good, looks like red carpet of glorious 10 -15 knot wind and smooth 1 meter seas for near future, and the corner to reach to trades is coming, perhaps at 35n, and yes warmth, spirits lifted. we are sailing into a beautiful sunset. we are truly blessed!

we had movie time today "Top Gun" also was a morale lifter!

9/22/08

after 150 miles on one glorious tack for 24 hours we tacked back to 155 for one more night southing

the high has moved north so tomorrow we make sw for the trades, 400 miles perhaps, great news, great weather

we are watching a small low pressure disturbance south of baja mexico to see if it becomes any threat of cyclone in region, but has not reached that status.

nice weather now