smithtribesailing: Equator Crossing

Vigilant watch for nets of the fishermen.
Two of the yachts sailing with us landed up in their nets.

2:30 am and I'm on watch. Sixth day at sea in the Pacific. Today we almost crossed the equator (that is how far south we had to tack), way to early mind you, due to our sad wind conditions. The sail from Panama to Galapagos is 850 miles and we've been assured, one of the best legs as far as sailing enjoyment goes.

Unfortunately we left it a bit late and are not sailing in the optimal month of March. On top of that, the wind is not behaving as the weather downloads show and what we would like it to be. We've sailed 600 miles down towards Equador so far, but are not half way to Galapagos yet. The wind at least has been consistent, CONSISTENTLY ON THE NOSE!

I feel like I'm sailing in some kind of race, tack, tack, tack, reef in, reef out, edging as close to the wind at all times, oh and did I mention some more tacking… our track looks like the zigzag patterns drawn by a toddler.

And now for some good news.. I am not immune to seasickness, I know, I know, what am I doing out here. I have asked myself that question many times. The fact that I'm typing this shows that I am now after 4 days of seasickness, an able bodied seaman… just a moment, got to tack…

Rourke getting a closer look

Layla and Sky. We were surrounded by a huge pod of dolphins who stayed with us for a long time.

Rourke, Layla and Skyla enjoying the dolphins somewhere in the Pacific

Ok, day 7 at sea (lost a couple of days) and the wind has finally swung in our favor, AFTER 7 DAYS, I think we've put in our final tack! We are coasting along at 8.5 knots and have only 230 miles to go as the crow flies (2 days sailing if the wind stays the same angle and strength).

Chris giving Rourke a hand with his catch

Rourke's first Mahi Mahi

We cross the equator later today and will give gifts to the gods of the sea Poseidon and his wife Amphitrite for safe passage, more about that later… Layla suggests a sand dollar as she learned in her Greek Mythology lessons that sand dollars broken in half and thrown into the ocean, cleanses it. Luckily we dived some of these out in San Blas and can please the Gods with this offering. I will sacrifice some herbs from my garden to add to the flavors of the sea.