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Marquesas Update: The ship has come in! The supply ship that is, Aranui 5. Bigger than I thought and more hustle and bustle than I imagined. Lots of traffic, lots of containers, everywhere is restocked and people are in the prowl for newly arrived goods . Apparently an “every couple weeks” thing this time of year. It looks like I’ll get to haul out. The boss says OK. I hitchhiked into town… Read More
Here is another installment of A Flicka Sails Herself. This one shows the wind vane at work in the light air and the improvised bimini and weather cloths. And then nothing but the Big Blue. I saw a few cargo ships in the first days of the passage in the NE trades. Then it was weeks of seeing no other boats. Not even on the AIS. (When I was looking.) It wasn’t… Read More
39 days from La Paz, Mexico to Hiva Oa, Marquesas. Thanks to modern GPS navigation, it turns out to be pretty easy to navigate to a small Island in the middle of the ocean. Definitely the most physically and mentally grueling thing I have ever embarked on…so far. It’s a bit masochistic. I can’t say I would recommend it. It’s like a carnival ride (Tilt-a-Whirl?), or a bucking bronco, that never stops. Add… Read More
The solar charging system is working like a charm with spares to boot. Thank you so much to those who helped to contribute. I’ve ordered 16 SHOM (Service hydrographique et océanographique de la marine) paper charts of French Polynesia, printed on 02/06/2024 at $42US each on the credit card. They should arrive in a couple days. I mention this so you know how any near future donations will help Sampaguita and the expedition…. Read More
Small boats take extra careful consideration for everything. I decided I needed a self-steering mechanism but weight, space, and cost were all major considerations. After much research, measuring, and envisioning, I decided on a Windpilot Pacific Light. With a bit of luck to boot, the installation and fit seemed to have worked out so far. Everything is in exactly the only place it could go, but it seems to be good enough…. Read More
Here is a short video of Sampaguita, a 1985 Pacific Seacraft Flicka 20 sailboat, sailing under full main, drifter and a self-steering windvane in Port Townsend Bay, Washington.
sailingwithjosh
Sailing With Josh 