Pacific Crossing, Part I— And We're Off!

We lifted the stern anchor and then the bow anchor, started the engine, said farewell to Andy and Sue on s/v Spruce and headed out of Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz. The winds are light today, about 4.5 knots, and are coming from SSW. Too little wind to sail, and of course, also from the wrong direction, as we are currently heading SSW trying to get a little further South to catch the right winds before changing course and heading directly West.

It is 9AM on April 3rd, 2013. We have at least 23 days before reaching land. It is a good feeling to be under way once again, even if we can't put up the sails. We will send the first of our position emails to Eric and Michelle in a couple of hours time. We agreed to report in every three days. We will be in contact again on Saturday sending our coordinates and Michelle will update our SEGWUN Facebook page and our Track My Tour app so everyone can see how far along we have gotten.

The wind picked up before noon and we had the sails up until just before sunset when they tapered off again. Oh, and what a glorious sunset it was. All shades of pinks, reds and yellows, contrasting with the blue sky and a last look at the Galapagos islands of Floreana on our port side and San Isabela, Quatro Hermanos and Tortugas on the Starboard.

I am on my first night watch. We decided to try six hour shifts with me taking the first watch since I find it hard to fall asleep so early. I will try and stay alert until midnight or so giving Jens at least six solid hours of sleep. Then I can sleep till daybreak and during the day we will take turns napping.

We have picked up a passenger this evening. He flew around the boat about six or seven times, trying out different roosting spots before settling for the lazy jack of the main sail. I'll have to remember to tell Jens not to raise the mainsail before he has finished sleeping and flown off again. I doubt he plans to travel to French Polynesia with us.