Yesterday was another nice sailing day. However, in the evening, the wind lightened up, and we had to turn the engine on to keep from slopping around so much. We got a little rain shower--almost enough rain to wash the salty mess off the decks and cockpit windows.

Around 3am we saw the first lights on San Cristobal. Right now we are motoring along the south end of the island, and will be in the harbor in about an hour.

We emailed our agent, Bolivar Pesantes, to expect us this morning, so hopefully he will be watching for our arrival.
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At 1/11/2010 12:33 PM (utc) our position was 00°57.47'S 089°37.11'W

Labels: Galapagos, On Passage

We have been having trouble receiving email through the Panama Sailmail station. Not sure what the problem is, and we're not positive our outgoing HF email has been getting out. I finally got the Iridium connected up and working, to send this update.

We have been making really good time with pleasant sailing conditions--with a double-reefed main and a tiny genoa, we've still been making 6-7 knots, and sometimes we've hit 8 knots when the wind comes up. Mostly the wind has been around 10 knots on the beam, and very pleasant.

Yesterday was warm and sunny and very pleasant all around. We put the fishing line out and caught a nice fat tuna, which became sushi appetizers and 'seared tuna' dinner, with plenty of left-overs. With full sun yesterday, we didn't even have to run the engine at all.

Today, we have a typical Ecuador low overcast, so having to run the engine while the refer runs.

We expect to arrive in San Cristobal tomorrow morning (Monday). Scott, our crew, has reservations to fly out next Saturday Jan 16, so we'll let him control our schedule until then. Then we'll try to hook up with our friends on Visions of Johanna, who are hanging out in Isabella. And we are also hoping that Mike and Sue on Infini will arrive soon as well. Visions says there is only one other cruising boat in the Galapagos, as it is very early in the season for sailors. So we'll have the whole place to ourselves.
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At 1/10/2010 3:42 PM (utc) our position was 00°46.86'S 087°37.20'W

Labels: Galapagos, On Passage

Our first night out was pretty 'boisterous'. Some of the crew got seasick, and we were all pretty miserable. Soggy Paws is a soggy salty mess. But we've all recovered now, and the wind has settled to a nice 12 knots on the beam. We've been sailing all night at around 7 knots, right on course for San Cristobal (Wreck Bay). The sun is out now, we've finally got the fishing pole out.

We are still not sure whether we'll arrive in San Cristobal late on Monday or early on Tuesday.
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At 1/9/2010 2:40 PM (utc) our position was 00°35.68'S 084°58.57'W

Labels: Galapagos, On Passage

We have had great wind (a little too much wind) and made good time all night. The crew is still getting their sea legs, but Soggy Paws is doing fine.

We expect the wind to ease up a little as today progresses.

We saw whales and porpoises yesterday, and a few fishing boats. Not much big shipping traffic.

We haven't been fishing yet--our freezer is too full for any fish.
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At 1/8/2010 11:42 AM (utc) our position was 00°27.48'S 082°20.55'W

Labels: Galapagos, On Passage

We got underway this morning promptly at 8am. The passage over the bar at Bahia was no problem (it was a really high tide, calm weather, and we had Carlos piloting us).

At a reasonable sailing speed (5 knots), we expect to arrive in the Galapagos on Monday or Tuesday. The weather forecast is 8-10 knots on the beam for the whole trip.
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At 1/7/2010 3:50 PM (utc) our position was 00°35.91'S 080°38.02'W

Labels: Galapagos, On Passage