Sunday Island Day 3 Galapagos to Marquisis

6 March 2024
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> We have spent the last three days motor sailing SE to the latitude of the trades 5*S. Unfortunatly the trade winds are not settled and a localised weather system is playing havoc with our wind. This morning at sunrise we hoisted our largest and lightest Code-O sail, and set the autopilot to helm Sunday Island according to the True Wind Angle (TWA) of 100* off the wind. The engine is off and with 7kts of wind from the S to SE we are ghosting along to the Westn at speeds of 3-4kts, our course changing depending on the light variable wind direction. We do hope to make more ground to the south to dip into the stronger and more reliable trade winds, so occasionally when the wind tends to the East we leave the course set to TWA 100, and head south. I post a midday posiiton and t can be viewed at: http://cms.winlink.org:444/maps/positionreports.aspx?callsign=vk7hew >
> I have a blister on my thumb from hooking and hauling in a “sail fish” yesterday. It must have been 70 or so KG! too heavy to haul on deck, and way too heavy for my rod! I fought the fish for over 45 minutes and got it close enough to the boat to reaslise it was the size of a fully grown man. When it lept from the water it was an incredible sight. To bring the fish onboard I would havd needed to attach a halyard to its tail. There is no way I could lift it without mechanical assistance. So when the lure some how made its way along the line, Emilie grabbed it and cut away the hook, allowing the huge Marlin sail fish to swim free. Today I made up a new lure but no bights as yet. >
> We have a swallow tailed gull who has taken residence on our solar panel. It is so tame you could reach out and grab it, allowing Max and Issy to study this big bird at close range. Unfortunatly birds poop, and the poop is on my solar panels and driping onto Emilies cushions the bird must go, but despite shoowing it away every 5 minutes, it is determined to remain. >
> Kids activity’s are becoming adventurous, including spelling treasure hunts, bird drawing, and building a vet shop for sick penguins, birds and owls. The facility also treats hammer head sharks, Narhwals, and Orcas. >
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