Wednesday, October 12, 2011
It's a beautiful day
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
From the Captain
Thanks for the note. Underway and the boat is going like it's on rails.
Doing a steady 5k in about 8 k wind on the beam with a low 1 m sea.
I've got all three sails set, with a single reef in the main.
Saw a whale do the full breech thing not far away - neat.
Take care
Dad
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At 11/10/2011 8:02 AM (utc) our position was 21°46.97'S 175°24.79'W
Saw a whale do the full breech thing not far away - neat.
Take care
Dad
-----
At 11/10/2011 8:02 AM (utc) our position was 21°46.97'S 175°24.79'W
From the Captain
The engine and transmission are OK now. The mechanic came and took
things apart and we found the prop shaft dragging. I dove to check
again, but this time with scuba so I could take my time. Found a piece
of small rope wrapped tight and drawn into the cutlass bearing, the
water lubricated bearing just before the prop. I managed to pull that
out and that was the binding. It also turned out that the alignment was
off and one of the engine mounts had worked loose, so, altogether it
was, perhaps a fortunate event since that could have led to another
bearing failure.
So, no damage to anything, learned something - besides the fact that I was wrong with where I thought the problem was, and once more have come to appreciate mechanics. I motored across the harbor and I'm now anchored off a small island, ready to head out in the morning. The boat is full of mosquitos - wish I knew why / how they came in. Didn't seem to be any around at the dock. Anyway, I spent a bunch of time cleaning the bottom of the boat so hopefully NZ quarantine people will be appeased enough not to be really difficult.
Not much else to add, leaving tomorrow in company with a couple of other boats but they are bigger than I, with crew, so they'll leave me behind quickly. Other boats leaving tomorrow - there's a stream of boats now heading to NZ. Hopefully the weather will hold.
All in all, I'm not looking forward to this passage, and I'll be really glad when it's done.
Take care
Love Dad
-----
At 09/10/2011 4:26 AM (utc) our position was 21°08.34'S 175°11.06'W
So, no damage to anything, learned something - besides the fact that I was wrong with where I thought the problem was, and once more have come to appreciate mechanics. I motored across the harbor and I'm now anchored off a small island, ready to head out in the morning. The boat is full of mosquitos - wish I knew why / how they came in. Didn't seem to be any around at the dock. Anyway, I spent a bunch of time cleaning the bottom of the boat so hopefully NZ quarantine people will be appeased enough not to be really difficult.
Not much else to add, leaving tomorrow in company with a couple of other boats but they are bigger than I, with crew, so they'll leave me behind quickly. Other boats leaving tomorrow - there's a stream of boats now heading to NZ. Hopefully the weather will hold.
All in all, I'm not looking forward to this passage, and I'll be really glad when it's done.
Take care
Love Dad
-----
At 09/10/2011 4:26 AM (utc) our position was 21°08.34'S 175°11.06'W
From the Captain
It started late Friday I suppose... I was visiting another yacht and left
my plastic sandals on the step of the boat. One got kicked overboard I
guess with the coming and going of people. Saturday morning I was
getting ready to pull out to head for NZ. Tarp down, stuff away, engine
running fine etc. released the two stern ties and hauled up the
anchor. Motoring towards the fuel dock a few hundred meters away and
there is a screech and the engine quit. I managed to drift down onto a
moored yacht (dead calm conditions, no one about) tie on and dove on the
prop. A line had wrapped around. One of the stern lines had fallen
back in the water, I'd left it attached to use as a spring at the fuel
dock. Engine started, transmission went into gear and off I went - for
about 60 seconds. Nasty noises, quick shut down and drifted to the fuel
dock. Transmission is damaged, I'm pretty sure.
Got tied in, engine runs fine in neutral and reverse. Forward and there are nasty noises. I think I know what the problem is but not what to do about it. Called the mechanic, doesn't work Saturday but will come on Monday. I'm checked out of the country and my visa is dead by Tuesday at best. Filled up with fuel anyway. I'd ordered 220 l of duty free figuring I'd take 170, but somehow put 250 aboard. I can see maybe the 220 at a stretch but I think their meter is tweaked. Can't argue, but out of Tongan cash. So, now I sit. It's Sunday and it's DEAD. Quiet as a tomb and HOT. Woke up with a headache, and the Inet I had is not available. I think the cafe changed the password, which makes sense. So, I'm internet deprived as well, and even if I had some cash, the place is closed.
Just to add insult to injury, my glasses broke. The bolt in the hinge has corroded through and it didn't just fall out. It left a cylinder of metal in the hole in the arm, and another in the lower hole of the hinge on the frame. Lovely, can't get the metal out without a jeweler's drill and vice. So, it's the toothpick, nylon thread seizing and epoxy repair. Works.
So, hopefully the mechanic will show in the morning and we can Mickey mouse a fix that will give me about 10 or more hours of run time - enough to get me out of the harbor and clear of the island, and enough to dock at NZ. I don't think there's a hope of parts here and I really don't want to sit around for a couple of weeks waiting for parts, which is the experience.
Hope you're having a good time, smile. It's not so bad - I'm comfortable etc., just I don't like sitting and waiting especially since I was "on my way". Shades of Eureka.
Take care
DAD
-----
At 08/10/2011 8:15 PM (utc) our position was 21°08.33'S 175°11.06'W
Got tied in, engine runs fine in neutral and reverse. Forward and there are nasty noises. I think I know what the problem is but not what to do about it. Called the mechanic, doesn't work Saturday but will come on Monday. I'm checked out of the country and my visa is dead by Tuesday at best. Filled up with fuel anyway. I'd ordered 220 l of duty free figuring I'd take 170, but somehow put 250 aboard. I can see maybe the 220 at a stretch but I think their meter is tweaked. Can't argue, but out of Tongan cash. So, now I sit. It's Sunday and it's DEAD. Quiet as a tomb and HOT. Woke up with a headache, and the Inet I had is not available. I think the cafe changed the password, which makes sense. So, I'm internet deprived as well, and even if I had some cash, the place is closed.
Just to add insult to injury, my glasses broke. The bolt in the hinge has corroded through and it didn't just fall out. It left a cylinder of metal in the hole in the arm, and another in the lower hole of the hinge on the frame. Lovely, can't get the metal out without a jeweler's drill and vice. So, it's the toothpick, nylon thread seizing and epoxy repair. Works.
So, hopefully the mechanic will show in the morning and we can Mickey mouse a fix that will give me about 10 or more hours of run time - enough to get me out of the harbor and clear of the island, and enough to dock at NZ. I don't think there's a hope of parts here and I really don't want to sit around for a couple of weeks waiting for parts, which is the experience.
Hope you're having a good time, smile. It's not so bad - I'm comfortable etc., just I don't like sitting and waiting especially since I was "on my way". Shades of Eureka.
Take care
DAD
-----
At 08/10/2011 8:15 PM (utc) our position was 21°08.33'S 175°11.06'W
Friday, October 07, 2011
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
*kisses fingertips*
Circumventional navigation
defn: The art of getting things done despite office politics, all the while convincing key players that it was their brilliant idea in the first place.
defn: The art of getting things done despite office politics, all the while convincing key players that it was their brilliant idea in the first place.
Some days
This dreary weather that makes everyone else apathetic and suicidal, folds itself around me. Bringing back memories of being warm and dry, albeit in fully decked out in raingear... standing and eating piping hot oatmeal with a stellers jay sitting on my arm stealing raisins from my bowl pot.
It was magical
It was magical
Monday, October 03, 2011
Little bit of awesome
The coolest thing ever happened, the lady in front of me in the drive through at Timmy's just paid for my coffee and breakfast sandwich.
It made my day. In fact I'm still smiling.
So I gave the girl at the window $4 for the guy behind me *grins*
It made my day. In fact I'm still smiling.
So I gave the girl at the window $4 for the guy behind me *grins*
Sunday, October 02, 2011
From the Captain...
I've got to eat the home canned food before NZ or else they trash it, so tonight it was a jar of beef.
BTW - I've been cracking an egg over rice for breakfast, along with some raisins - not bad in lieu of oatmeal. Egg in or over oatmeal works to, and you get some protein for breakfast without any additional time or pots! Cook on top or stir in usually for the last 3 or 4 minutes of cook time - depends how I'm feeling. You might try it. Add raisins, fruit etc. + herbs and spice for variety.
Meals have been a bit rugged of late. I'm really not interested in cooking.
Made the passage from the Vava'ul Group where the cruising grounds are down to Nuka'alofa at the south end. Tactical error. First, the earliest I can probably leave is in two weeks - and second, there's not much scope here for things interesting. In fact, there's very little and the place has a slow dying feel about it. It was a bit tough getting here. I misinterpreted the forecast and ended up with light winds. Plan A was to stop in the Hapai group which is supposed to be nice but a bit tricky with reefs etc. A smell of diesel exhaust around the nav station suggests a leak so rather than mess around, I decided to stay outside and sail as much as possible. As it was I ended up going slow, then to add insult to it all got becalmed. Sat out in the middle of the ocean in dead calm, sails furled and slept for 8 hours.
The day before that was slow sailing with a lightning light show all around. Spooky. I put the engine on and motored the last 8 hours. The approach to the port is long - nealry 30 nm through shallows with almost no nav markers - follow the GPS route and thank goodnes for the chart plotter - paid for itself today. The fog and poor visibility didn't help. Did see a couple of whales and the most beautiful neon blue fish swam by the boat for a bit. About a meter long, brilliant blue irridesent color and bright orange tail - the water is fairly clear and he swam about 3 m away and about 1 m deep. Saw another similar fish leaping a ways off which was neat. Wide variety of birds including an albatross I think. Anyway, felt my way into the harbour and across to where a couple of yachts were anchored so I got the hook down and managed to get on the air and talk to Mom. Just made the sched. She could hear me fine, her signal was a bit light. Talked to Gerry after and then did a quick dive on the anchor - OK. Finally checked into the Pacific Sea Farer's Net to confirm I was fine.
That net is a good one. They are well organized and with their shore relay system there is almost always a good contact for everyone involved. If you get the chance, listen in on 14300 at 3:00Z for the warm up and 3:25 for the actual net / roll call. They also have a web site where they post contacts, so Mom can check there to see if I've checked in even if she can't make contact. Good people too, several of the operators are ex-cruisers with help, advice and cheerful insightful comment. I called in at 3:00 when they just started asking to give my report then instead of at roll call because I was shutting down because of lightning. Done, no hassle and a word of companionship about being spooky with lightning about and you're the biggest thing in sight with a big aluminum stick pointing at the sky. Tonight, different net controller when I checked in but a comment about things to do here 'though not much to say for the anchorage". Sums it up - I was assured I'd have a good time. So, see what happens.
That's about it. I hang in here until the weather opens up for the dash to NZ. I've got some clean up to do before I move and I've got to review the weather contacts. Winlink is being difficult as well - hope I can get something happening there.
Dad
-----
At 01/10/2011 6:13 AM (utc) our position was 21°07.50'S 175°09.69'W
BTW - I've been cracking an egg over rice for breakfast, along with some raisins - not bad in lieu of oatmeal. Egg in or over oatmeal works to, and you get some protein for breakfast without any additional time or pots! Cook on top or stir in usually for the last 3 or 4 minutes of cook time - depends how I'm feeling. You might try it. Add raisins, fruit etc. + herbs and spice for variety.
Meals have been a bit rugged of late. I'm really not interested in cooking.
Made the passage from the Vava'ul Group where the cruising grounds are down to Nuka'alofa at the south end. Tactical error. First, the earliest I can probably leave is in two weeks - and second, there's not much scope here for things interesting. In fact, there's very little and the place has a slow dying feel about it. It was a bit tough getting here. I misinterpreted the forecast and ended up with light winds. Plan A was to stop in the Hapai group which is supposed to be nice but a bit tricky with reefs etc. A smell of diesel exhaust around the nav station suggests a leak so rather than mess around, I decided to stay outside and sail as much as possible. As it was I ended up going slow, then to add insult to it all got becalmed. Sat out in the middle of the ocean in dead calm, sails furled and slept for 8 hours.
The day before that was slow sailing with a lightning light show all around. Spooky. I put the engine on and motored the last 8 hours. The approach to the port is long - nealry 30 nm through shallows with almost no nav markers - follow the GPS route and thank goodnes for the chart plotter - paid for itself today. The fog and poor visibility didn't help. Did see a couple of whales and the most beautiful neon blue fish swam by the boat for a bit. About a meter long, brilliant blue irridesent color and bright orange tail - the water is fairly clear and he swam about 3 m away and about 1 m deep. Saw another similar fish leaping a ways off which was neat. Wide variety of birds including an albatross I think. Anyway, felt my way into the harbour and across to where a couple of yachts were anchored so I got the hook down and managed to get on the air and talk to Mom. Just made the sched. She could hear me fine, her signal was a bit light. Talked to Gerry after and then did a quick dive on the anchor - OK. Finally checked into the Pacific Sea Farer's Net to confirm I was fine.
That net is a good one. They are well organized and with their shore relay system there is almost always a good contact for everyone involved. If you get the chance, listen in on 14300 at 3:00Z for the warm up and 3:25 for the actual net / roll call. They also have a web site where they post contacts, so Mom can check there to see if I've checked in even if she can't make contact. Good people too, several of the operators are ex-cruisers with help, advice and cheerful insightful comment. I called in at 3:00 when they just started asking to give my report then instead of at roll call because I was shutting down because of lightning. Done, no hassle and a word of companionship about being spooky with lightning about and you're the biggest thing in sight with a big aluminum stick pointing at the sky. Tonight, different net controller when I checked in but a comment about things to do here 'though not much to say for the anchorage". Sums it up - I was assured I'd have a good time. So, see what happens.
That's about it. I hang in here until the weather opens up for the dash to NZ. I've got some clean up to do before I move and I've got to review the weather contacts. Winlink is being difficult as well - hope I can get something happening there.
Dad
-----
At 01/10/2011 6:13 AM (utc) our position was 21°07.50'S 175°09.69'W
From the Captain...
I checked out of Neiafu today and I'm now at anchor in a cove just
south. The anchor chain talks. When the boat drifts about, occasinally
the chain drags over coral and the rumble is transmitted up the chain
right to the boat. It's weird because I always thought that the grumble
/ rumble was associated only with dragging but with solid chain rode,
it's every time the boat swings you hear this noise.
It's calm. Some tuna were sort of jumping near the boat in the dark. There are no mammals like seals and otters. I suppose there might have been a thousand years ago or so, but with people moving in they got hunted out pretty quick. I never realized just how many people these islands supported pre-Europeans. The populations were 100 or more times what they are today. That's a lot of people on small land base, being fed and supported by the local resources. Not only just surviving, but living well with time and energy and resources for comfort, art and war. The implications are really somewhat staggering when you think about it.
Such is life. I broke the oar I made - the local hardwood turned out to be trash. Waste of money and a day. So, I am oar challenged. I hesitate cutting down my long good oar to match the short oar I bought but it may come to that. In the meantime, I have got the electric outboard to behave reliably. I modified it a bit. I cut off the battery connectors, automotive post style of lead that in the salt water formed a non-conductive oxide quickly, and installed some ring connectors - the deep cycle batteries have studs as well as lead posts. These are easy to clean, and being tinned copper aren't affected by the salt water as much. Also they are easier and faster to put on and take off. So, all round, works better.
I just need to add a fuse to the circuit - the one was incorporated into the battery post and that's gone now. The fuse supplied was a bad choice anyway because it's fusible link is corroding fast because it's exposed. I'll get a blade type in a water proof holder. Irony is that I had one in the spares box but I used it already. The other thing is the use of lots of silicone non-conductive anti-corrision grease on all the connectors, espcially the control / instrument sockets. This has helped a lot and something to file away in your head. You can use it in all kinds of places where an eletrical connection is made in a wet environemnt. Works great on your car battery terminals, use it for bulbs on trailers (eg boat trailer tail lights that get wet, ham radio equipment etc. etc. Most things don't really need it but if you have an electrical contact in a challenging environment, it helps.
I think I mentioned I had a great couple of scuba dives here. I'm told the diving is good in Fiji too, so that might be inducement to go that way next year if I sail again.
Take care - love you.
Dad
-----
At 25/09/2011 7:23 AM (utc) our position was 18°39.83'S 173°58.88'W
It's calm. Some tuna were sort of jumping near the boat in the dark. There are no mammals like seals and otters. I suppose there might have been a thousand years ago or so, but with people moving in they got hunted out pretty quick. I never realized just how many people these islands supported pre-Europeans. The populations were 100 or more times what they are today. That's a lot of people on small land base, being fed and supported by the local resources. Not only just surviving, but living well with time and energy and resources for comfort, art and war. The implications are really somewhat staggering when you think about it.
Such is life. I broke the oar I made - the local hardwood turned out to be trash. Waste of money and a day. So, I am oar challenged. I hesitate cutting down my long good oar to match the short oar I bought but it may come to that. In the meantime, I have got the electric outboard to behave reliably. I modified it a bit. I cut off the battery connectors, automotive post style of lead that in the salt water formed a non-conductive oxide quickly, and installed some ring connectors - the deep cycle batteries have studs as well as lead posts. These are easy to clean, and being tinned copper aren't affected by the salt water as much. Also they are easier and faster to put on and take off. So, all round, works better.
I just need to add a fuse to the circuit - the one was incorporated into the battery post and that's gone now. The fuse supplied was a bad choice anyway because it's fusible link is corroding fast because it's exposed. I'll get a blade type in a water proof holder. Irony is that I had one in the spares box but I used it already. The other thing is the use of lots of silicone non-conductive anti-corrision grease on all the connectors, espcially the control / instrument sockets. This has helped a lot and something to file away in your head. You can use it in all kinds of places where an eletrical connection is made in a wet environemnt. Works great on your car battery terminals, use it for bulbs on trailers (eg boat trailer tail lights that get wet, ham radio equipment etc. etc. Most things don't really need it but if you have an electrical contact in a challenging environment, it helps.
I think I mentioned I had a great couple of scuba dives here. I'm told the diving is good in Fiji too, so that might be inducement to go that way next year if I sail again.
Take care - love you.
Dad
-----
At 25/09/2011 7:23 AM (utc) our position was 18°39.83'S 173°58.88'W
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
That warm gooey karma center
Just this morning I was bombing up to work and saw a grizzled older looking guy standing on the corner decked out in super high-vis neon yellow sweatshirt and orange reflective vest... holding a huge "Lost Dog" sign. Having just seen a lost-looking retriever yesterday leaving work, I pulled a u-turn and stopped to check... unfortunately he was looking for a husky cross.
Almost late for work, and facing the wrong direction I waffled back and forth on hitting up Timmies... My pre-caffeine indecision chose for me with the failed execution of a mid-u-turn-mind-change spanning both lanes that was definitely ticket worthy.
Just as I was grabbing my coffee I received a "Don't get a coffee text" from a wonderful co-worker of mine, and it occurred to me that coffee tastes way better when someone else has given it to you. With that thought in mind, and knowing it was only two degrees out, I stopped and gave the one I'd just bought to the guy looking for his dog.
When I got to work and told her my story of the morning she said "Aw that's so cool, I feel like I even had a part in it" which of course she totally did. *smiles* I'm not sure where all the floating karma is going to settle this morning, but of all the places it could... well, I really hope he finds his dog.
Almost late for work, and facing the wrong direction I waffled back and forth on hitting up Timmies... My pre-caffeine indecision chose for me with the failed execution of a mid-u-turn-mind-change spanning both lanes that was definitely ticket worthy.
Just as I was grabbing my coffee I received a "Don't get a coffee text" from a wonderful co-worker of mine, and it occurred to me that coffee tastes way better when someone else has given it to you. With that thought in mind, and knowing it was only two degrees out, I stopped and gave the one I'd just bought to the guy looking for his dog.
When I got to work and told her my story of the morning she said "Aw that's so cool, I feel like I even had a part in it" which of course she totally did. *smiles* I'm not sure where all the floating karma is going to settle this morning, but of all the places it could... well, I really hope he finds his dog.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
From the Captain
I checked out of Neiafu today and I'm now at anchor in a cove just
south. The anchor chain talks. When the boat drifts about, occasionally
the chain drags over coral and the rumble is transmitted up the chain
right to the boat. It's weird because I always thought that the grumble
/ rumble was associated only with dragging but with solid chain rode,
it's every time the boat swings you hear this noise.
It's calm. Some tuna were sort of jumping near the boat in the dark. There are no mammals like seals and otters. I suppose there might have been a thousand years ago or so, but with people moving in they got hunted out pretty quick. I never realized just how many people these islands supported pre-Europeans. The populations were 100 or more times what they are today. That's a lot of people on small land base, being fed and supported by the local resources. Not only just surviving, but living well with time and energy and resources for comfort, art and war. The implications are really somewhat staggering when you think about it.
Such is life. I broke the oar I made - the local hardwood turned out to be trash. Waste of money and a day. So, I am oar challenged. I hesitate cutting down my long good oar to match the short oar I bought but it may come to that. In the meantime, I have got the electric outboard to behave reliably. I modified it a bit. I cut off the battery connectors, automotive post style of lead that in the salt water formed a non-conductive oxide quickly, and installed some ring connectors - the deep cycle batteries have studs as well as lead posts. These are easy to clean, and being tinned copper aren't affected by the salt water as much. Also they are easier and faster to put on and take off. So, all round, works better. I just need to add a fuse to the circuit - the one was incorporated into the battery post and that's gone now. The fuse supplied was a bad choice anyway because it's fusible link is corroding fast because it's exposed. I'll get a blade type in a water proof holder. Irony is that I had one in the spares box but I used it already. The other thing is the use of lots of silicone non-conductive anti-corrision grease on all the connectors, especially the control / instrument sockets. This has helped a lot and something to file away in your head. You can use it in all kinds of places where an electrical connection is made in a wet environment. Works great on your car battery terminals, use it for bulbs on trailers (eg boat trailer tail lights that get wet, ham radio equipment etc. etc. Most things don't really need it but if you have an electrical contact in a challenging environment, it helps.
I think I mentioned I had a great couple of scuba dives here. I'm told the diving is good in Fiji too, so that might be inducement to go that way next year if I sail again. Mom is making some noises about wanting to dive again, but remember the hassle and pain diving at home with the cold, weight and gear - and how nice it was snorkeling in Tahiti. I suggested that maybe moving the boat to Mexico or the Caribbean might be a thought. I can see pros and cons, but we'll see what she thinks / says. I'm not sure quite how I'd want to route the boat there - it's awkward and "up hill" all the way. It might almost be worth while to keep going east round S. Africa and then across the Atlantic. I'm not thrilled about the distances and I'm seriously thinking there's a lot of nice places I'd like to look at on the BC and perhaps Alaskan coasts. Lets just see what Mom comes up with.
Anyway, time to try and see if I can get out on Winlink. Hope you had / have fun with your friends that are visiting.
Take care - love you.
Dad
-----
At 25/09/2011 7:23 AM (utc) our position was 18°39.83'S 173°58.88'W
It's calm. Some tuna were sort of jumping near the boat in the dark. There are no mammals like seals and otters. I suppose there might have been a thousand years ago or so, but with people moving in they got hunted out pretty quick. I never realized just how many people these islands supported pre-Europeans. The populations were 100 or more times what they are today. That's a lot of people on small land base, being fed and supported by the local resources. Not only just surviving, but living well with time and energy and resources for comfort, art and war. The implications are really somewhat staggering when you think about it.
Such is life. I broke the oar I made - the local hardwood turned out to be trash. Waste of money and a day. So, I am oar challenged. I hesitate cutting down my long good oar to match the short oar I bought but it may come to that. In the meantime, I have got the electric outboard to behave reliably. I modified it a bit. I cut off the battery connectors, automotive post style of lead that in the salt water formed a non-conductive oxide quickly, and installed some ring connectors - the deep cycle batteries have studs as well as lead posts. These are easy to clean, and being tinned copper aren't affected by the salt water as much. Also they are easier and faster to put on and take off. So, all round, works better. I just need to add a fuse to the circuit - the one was incorporated into the battery post and that's gone now. The fuse supplied was a bad choice anyway because it's fusible link is corroding fast because it's exposed. I'll get a blade type in a water proof holder. Irony is that I had one in the spares box but I used it already. The other thing is the use of lots of silicone non-conductive anti-corrision grease on all the connectors, especially the control / instrument sockets. This has helped a lot and something to file away in your head. You can use it in all kinds of places where an electrical connection is made in a wet environment. Works great on your car battery terminals, use it for bulbs on trailers (eg boat trailer tail lights that get wet, ham radio equipment etc. etc. Most things don't really need it but if you have an electrical contact in a challenging environment, it helps.
I think I mentioned I had a great couple of scuba dives here. I'm told the diving is good in Fiji too, so that might be inducement to go that way next year if I sail again. Mom is making some noises about wanting to dive again, but remember the hassle and pain diving at home with the cold, weight and gear - and how nice it was snorkeling in Tahiti. I suggested that maybe moving the boat to Mexico or the Caribbean might be a thought. I can see pros and cons, but we'll see what she thinks / says. I'm not sure quite how I'd want to route the boat there - it's awkward and "up hill" all the way. It might almost be worth while to keep going east round S. Africa and then across the Atlantic. I'm not thrilled about the distances and I'm seriously thinking there's a lot of nice places I'd like to look at on the BC and perhaps Alaskan coasts. Lets just see what Mom comes up with.
Anyway, time to try and see if I can get out on Winlink. Hope you had / have fun with your friends that are visiting.
Take care - love you.
Dad
-----
At 25/09/2011 7:23 AM (utc) our position was 18°39.83'S 173°58.88'W
From the Captain...
It's been a quiet day today. It's evening and despite the fact that I
got the mosy screen up on the door there's at least one little bugger in
the boat. For the most part bugs has not been a problem at all, but I
guess it's not surprising tonight given how calm it is and being near
shore. The great debate in my mind is when to move south etc. - seem
like it might as well be sooner as later since my enthusiasm for
exploration is low.
There are a variety of anchorages, all duly numbered by the local boat charter company who kindly distribute their guide and charter map to yachts. It's a good idea since the local names are essentially impossible for western minds and tongues. So, the VHF chatter is "meet you at 16 because we really liked the snorkelling there" refers to anchorage 16. Each anchorage has a write up etc., they are all quite beautiful and somewhat unique. There's typically some form of small village or cluster of houses etc. nearby because there are only so many places to bring a boat in and that's where both the locals and tourists will be. It generally works out fine. Each is unique but there is a sameness as well. Deep green vegetation to the shore, snorkelling in the coral etc. with the fish - different places are a bit different and some unique features but consistent is many ways. From a yacht point of view, some places are better protected than others or easier to get secure. I'm getting jaded.
I've got in some excellent diving here with some spectacular coral. Not a lot of big fish (sharks, dolphins, rays etc.) excluding swimming briefly with whales again. The big draw, I think, for diving is the coral - extensive live reef systems with hard and soft coral, huge fans and other structures. They also have limestone caves, a swim through etc. for a bit of variety.
The town and indeed the people are third world. I've also heard it said time and again that things are going downhill economically and you can see it. I went to a talk by a Tongan man, roughly my age, who left here 30 years ago as a young man and has returned. He stated that back then, growing up, people had more money freedom relatively though they didn't have cars, electricity, roads, TV's etc. The islands had a positive import balance and were not reliant on 'remittances' - money sent home by Tongans working away. Coincidentally, the owner of the dive operation said much the same thing - he's away part of every year and comes back and "things are little worse" with businesses going under or changing hands, infrastructure a little worse etc.
Wandering around town the houses are fairly dilapidated, indeed some of the sheds and shacks are deplorable that people are in but they seem healthy and happy. The cost of almost anything is silly and given the annal average income is only $2500 to $4000 (and I thing that's Tongan, which is 60% of CAN$) I don't really see how locals manage. Granted the housing need is minimal and there's not much need for heating etc., and with a garden and someone in the family doing some fishing combined with the pigs and chickens wandering around loose everywhere, I suppose needs are met.
If you were to rely heavily on what grocery stores there are, and what little is stocked, feeding would be very costly. The locals do shop, and there is an extensive local market with fruit and veg etc., but the prices are high. How does it all work? I don't know. Apparently the problem is the cost of freight - everything is shipped in - combined with a very high import duty ranging between 100% and 200%. The latter is a sting but I can see it given it's probably the only realistic tax target the government has. I also suspect there's a certain amount of inefficiency / corruption involved combined with what amounts to userism by the freight handlers (both marine and air).
I've talked to yachties who needed a part flown in and a small box has cost in the order of $1000 to get here. So, it's interesting and again makes me appreciate how well off we are at home. I used to think that our relatively low costs for food and 'stuff' was on the backs of the third world - not so certain that's the case. It seems to me that both classes of items are, in themselves, not expensive anywhere but get expensive by the chicanery of the local system. If the system is reasonably well run by a reasonably straight and financially solid administration, then there is some efficiency gained and costs are controlled. Here, there is no efficiency, and costs are silly.
Another example, this is a small town of perhaps 5000 - within 2 blocks there must be 20 small places all stocking and trying to sell the same basic tinned food stuff, fishing stuff, a few items of clothing and hardware and paper products etc. None of them are well stocked, none do anything well. All of them move too little product to get decent pricing from any supplier. And if someone needs something the least bit off "basic, basic" they're SOL. I need an oar - despite hundreds of yachts and hundreds of local boats, there is one to be had. A short (6') oar that they want T$187.50 (about C$115). I didn't buy it. There is no chandlery. The local sailboat charter company imports all there own stock from NZ because they get only what they need - the duty on excess kills them) It's seems like a no win situation which will gradually wind down the population to the point of no return. The place has some promise but how to make it work with the current set up, people and of course the church is beyond me. It will stagger along for another bunch of years and go broke in several different ways. It's sad.
Never the less, it is beautiful to visit if you don't look to hard at the people questions. The environment is beautiful, the weather is pleasant at this time of year. The people are friendly if a bit standoffish.
So, what's next? I'm checking out of here tomorrow and then working south through the next island groups down to Nuku'alofa the capital of Tonga. There I'll do my final checks, take on some groceries and wait for the weather window for NZ. It's about a 10 day trip and there's a high probability of getting clobbered by at least one blow along the way. I chose not to go to Fiji simply because I was trying to avoid a passage. The time from there to NZ is the same as from Nuka'alofa though arguably the trip is a little easier because you're already further west.
Take care
-----
At 25/09/2011 5:30 AM (utc) our position was 18°39.83'S 173°58.88'W
There are a variety of anchorages, all duly numbered by the local boat charter company who kindly distribute their guide and charter map to yachts. It's a good idea since the local names are essentially impossible for western minds and tongues. So, the VHF chatter is "meet you at 16 because we really liked the snorkelling there" refers to anchorage 16. Each anchorage has a write up etc., they are all quite beautiful and somewhat unique. There's typically some form of small village or cluster of houses etc. nearby because there are only so many places to bring a boat in and that's where both the locals and tourists will be. It generally works out fine. Each is unique but there is a sameness as well. Deep green vegetation to the shore, snorkelling in the coral etc. with the fish - different places are a bit different and some unique features but consistent is many ways. From a yacht point of view, some places are better protected than others or easier to get secure. I'm getting jaded.
I've got in some excellent diving here with some spectacular coral. Not a lot of big fish (sharks, dolphins, rays etc.) excluding swimming briefly with whales again. The big draw, I think, for diving is the coral - extensive live reef systems with hard and soft coral, huge fans and other structures. They also have limestone caves, a swim through etc. for a bit of variety.
The town and indeed the people are third world. I've also heard it said time and again that things are going downhill economically and you can see it. I went to a talk by a Tongan man, roughly my age, who left here 30 years ago as a young man and has returned. He stated that back then, growing up, people had more money freedom relatively though they didn't have cars, electricity, roads, TV's etc. The islands had a positive import balance and were not reliant on 'remittances' - money sent home by Tongans working away. Coincidentally, the owner of the dive operation said much the same thing - he's away part of every year and comes back and "things are little worse" with businesses going under or changing hands, infrastructure a little worse etc.
Wandering around town the houses are fairly dilapidated, indeed some of the sheds and shacks are deplorable that people are in but they seem healthy and happy. The cost of almost anything is silly and given the annal average income is only $2500 to $4000 (and I thing that's Tongan, which is 60% of CAN$) I don't really see how locals manage. Granted the housing need is minimal and there's not much need for heating etc., and with a garden and someone in the family doing some fishing combined with the pigs and chickens wandering around loose everywhere, I suppose needs are met.
If you were to rely heavily on what grocery stores there are, and what little is stocked, feeding would be very costly. The locals do shop, and there is an extensive local market with fruit and veg etc., but the prices are high. How does it all work? I don't know. Apparently the problem is the cost of freight - everything is shipped in - combined with a very high import duty ranging between 100% and 200%. The latter is a sting but I can see it given it's probably the only realistic tax target the government has. I also suspect there's a certain amount of inefficiency / corruption involved combined with what amounts to userism by the freight handlers (both marine and air).
I've talked to yachties who needed a part flown in and a small box has cost in the order of $1000 to get here. So, it's interesting and again makes me appreciate how well off we are at home. I used to think that our relatively low costs for food and 'stuff' was on the backs of the third world - not so certain that's the case. It seems to me that both classes of items are, in themselves, not expensive anywhere but get expensive by the chicanery of the local system. If the system is reasonably well run by a reasonably straight and financially solid administration, then there is some efficiency gained and costs are controlled. Here, there is no efficiency, and costs are silly.
Another example, this is a small town of perhaps 5000 - within 2 blocks there must be 20 small places all stocking and trying to sell the same basic tinned food stuff, fishing stuff, a few items of clothing and hardware and paper products etc. None of them are well stocked, none do anything well. All of them move too little product to get decent pricing from any supplier. And if someone needs something the least bit off "basic, basic" they're SOL. I need an oar - despite hundreds of yachts and hundreds of local boats, there is one to be had. A short (6') oar that they want T$187.50 (about C$115). I didn't buy it. There is no chandlery. The local sailboat charter company imports all there own stock from NZ because they get only what they need - the duty on excess kills them) It's seems like a no win situation which will gradually wind down the population to the point of no return. The place has some promise but how to make it work with the current set up, people and of course the church is beyond me. It will stagger along for another bunch of years and go broke in several different ways. It's sad.
Never the less, it is beautiful to visit if you don't look to hard at the people questions. The environment is beautiful, the weather is pleasant at this time of year. The people are friendly if a bit standoffish.
So, what's next? I'm checking out of here tomorrow and then working south through the next island groups down to Nuku'alofa the capital of Tonga. There I'll do my final checks, take on some groceries and wait for the weather window for NZ. It's about a 10 day trip and there's a high probability of getting clobbered by at least one blow along the way. I chose not to go to Fiji simply because I was trying to avoid a passage. The time from there to NZ is the same as from Nuka'alofa though arguably the trip is a little easier because you're already further west.
Take care
-----
At 25/09/2011 5:30 AM (utc) our position was 18°39.83'S 173°58.88'W
From the Captain...
Had a couple of great dives here - the coral structures are incredible.
Swam with whales again but not so well as at Nuie. Broke an oar, my
dive computer packed it - hope it's a battery but it is under warranty.
It's been pouring rain and windy - and I'm snug and warm on a mooring!
I assume mom will forward the missive I sent her with details - I'm
tired and need to sleep. BTW apparently Mom made the front page of the
newspaper regarding our use of ham radio to keep in touch. I wonder now
what impact that will have both the ham club and on people who I sort
of know who might be added to the trip watchers out there. I really am
not doing this to gain attention, hopefully mom didn't put the blog
address out there.
Love
Dad
-----
At 23/09/2011 7:21 AM (utc) our position was 18°39.83'S 173°58.88'W
No Dad, it's okay Mom didn't put the blog address out there, in the local paper... it's just on the internets ;)
Love
Dad
-----
At 23/09/2011 7:21 AM (utc) our position was 18°39.83'S 173°58.88'W
No Dad, it's okay Mom didn't put the blog address out there, in the local paper... it's just on the internets ;)
Sunday, September 25, 2011
From the Captain
An update - it's raining. I spent a couple of days on the hook off a
small island and generally poking around. I think I got the fuel system
working properly now and some fixes in mind. I
moved back to the harbour to catch a talk Tuesday night and tonite,
Thursday there's a film on regarding the impact of intense US culture
invasion on one island they set up works on. Should be interesting.
I've lined up a couple of dives with a local dive charter operator for
Saturday.
It was funny in that I couldn't get any info on where they dive and what they see from the front office people but I wandered down the dock at the end of the day with a tank that needed a new O ring and filling and spent an hour or so chatting with the owner / operator while giving him a hand fixing and outboard. So, Saturday's dive is set up, the tank is fixed and filled and a lot of info exchanged.
The talk on Tuesday by the Tongan man basically said people were better off 30 years ago before "development" took a major hold. Part of that stems from the fact that there was some local industry and export agriculture that is largely been killed by over production in the developed world. So 30 years ago, Tonga paid it's way with a positive trade balance. Today, "remittances" keep it afloat - Tongans that have moved away but send money to family here.
This paired up with the Dutch chap who operates the dive business. Basically, it runs 3 to 4 months which is just enough to pay the bills but doesn't get ahead so he work "at home (Europe)" for part of the year. He's been doing this for nearly 20 years and his comment is basically that every year he comes back and things are more run down. Businesses change hands as "palangi" (foreigners) come to make their fortune and leave discouraged and broke.
It's a tough place to work, despite being very beautiful. The local people are caught in a cycle of change they are trying to manage, while the industry and life styles change. Similarly to Nuie where the population has gone from 20 or 30 000 to the current 1700 and dropping. Beautiful place, but doesn't fit the western capitalistic model that is sweeping the planet. Until we take into account values in the eoconmic model that aren't and can't be evaluated in dollars we are doomed both at a personal and national level. Indeed, the international level.
To some exent, we, the family have done that. For example you're in Vernon because it has values (not big city, good access to lakes and hills etc, and ski facilities) that balance for you the fact that you could make more $ in Calgary or Vancouver. Granted your living costs would be higher. So, you're taking into account a 'happiness index' as well as the cash values - which is good. Mom and I did the same to live in Nanaimo, and here I am "wasting" my most lucrative working years bobbing around in a boat!
It was funny in that I couldn't get any info on where they dive and what they see from the front office people but I wandered down the dock at the end of the day with a tank that needed a new O ring and filling and spent an hour or so chatting with the owner / operator while giving him a hand fixing and outboard. So, Saturday's dive is set up, the tank is fixed and filled and a lot of info exchanged.
The talk on Tuesday by the Tongan man basically said people were better off 30 years ago before "development" took a major hold. Part of that stems from the fact that there was some local industry and export agriculture that is largely been killed by over production in the developed world. So 30 years ago, Tonga paid it's way with a positive trade balance. Today, "remittances" keep it afloat - Tongans that have moved away but send money to family here.
This paired up with the Dutch chap who operates the dive business. Basically, it runs 3 to 4 months which is just enough to pay the bills but doesn't get ahead so he work "at home (Europe)" for part of the year. He's been doing this for nearly 20 years and his comment is basically that every year he comes back and things are more run down. Businesses change hands as "palangi" (foreigners) come to make their fortune and leave discouraged and broke.
It's a tough place to work, despite being very beautiful. The local people are caught in a cycle of change they are trying to manage, while the industry and life styles change. Similarly to Nuie where the population has gone from 20 or 30 000 to the current 1700 and dropping. Beautiful place, but doesn't fit the western capitalistic model that is sweeping the planet. Until we take into account values in the eoconmic model that aren't and can't be evaluated in dollars we are doomed both at a personal and national level. Indeed, the international level.
To some exent, we, the family have done that. For example you're in Vernon because it has values (not big city, good access to lakes and hills etc, and ski facilities) that balance for you the fact that you could make more $ in Calgary or Vancouver. Granted your living costs would be higher. So, you're taking into account a 'happiness index' as well as the cash values - which is good. Mom and I did the same to live in Nanaimo, and here I am "wasting" my most lucrative working years bobbing around in a boat!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Way to go Mom! (where some of my nerdy comes from)
Woman becomes radio expert to stay in touch with seafaring hubby
Tamara Cunningham,
Daily News
Published: Wednesday, September 21, 2011
"This is VA7DSW," she says Tuesday morning, listing her call name to an operator at the Nanaimo Amateur Radio Association. "Did you hear from David last night? Go ahead."
A voice crackles over the radio: "All is well. He couldn't talk for long, but he's making his way through the islands and will reach his destination within a couple hours. Go ahead."
 |
Donna Sweeney earned her ham radio
|
"Talking over radio is a huge peace of mind," she said. "I look forward to hearing about his adventures and knowing he is OK."
Sweeney and Vincent met 35 years ago at the University of British Columbia as teenage science students. His imagination had been captured then by sailing tales of people like Sir Francis Chichester, who travelled the globe in nine months. He had the fever, Sweeney said, "but we got married and had children and he never talked about it again. I didn't think it was ever on his mind."
Two years ago when her husband retired, he announced he was going on an adventure. He'd head to San Diego with one of their daughters and then go solo towards Fiji and New Zealand.
"It was the first time in 35 years he mentioned it. I was shocked," Sweeney said.
She wasn't sure she understood the need to go, but realized he wouldn't be happy until he did.
He invited her to on the trip, but she has never sailed well on the open sea. She prefers staying close to shore. She spent eight weeks earning her radio licence, so they could talk throughout the trip. She also joined the NARA, a local network of 88 radio operators.
Her husband left Sept. 11, 2010, touching base nearly every night to update her about his travels.
The couple has a communications room in their garage, where Sweeney tracks the voyage.
"He is going wherever the wind takes him and having the time of his life," she said, He swam with a pod of humpback whales, snorkelled with sharks and explored "third-world like" communities on remote islands. His adventure is being blogged by his daughter.
Vincent is on the Tonga Islands and expects to be in New Zealand within the next two weeks.
The trip has no end date, but Sweeney expects it will be soon. He's starting to sound homesick, she said.
TCunningham@nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4230
© The Daily News (Nanaimo) 2011
Heh
Some days you just start out with your up arrow going down. At least I can fix my day, that poor box has to sit there until someone takes pity on it and flips the right way up!
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