June 24, 2008

Current Position (as of 8:17pm PT):



http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=26.3491,-128.8544&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1



First of all, thank you to everyone who is concerned about what I am eating and if I'm eating. As a former linebacker I have never been one to skip meals. I have worked hard to gain and maintain my weight. Out here, however, I just have not felt very hungry. I am not seasick. Just not hungry. The constant motion of the boat makes me kinda sleepy and lazy feeling. Not that I am being lazy. So today I have been eating beef jerky, a few Cliff bars, a Balance Bar, a few oranges and a can of clam chowder soup. I eat less out of hunger and more out of discipline. I know that I need to keep up my strength. I do feel a little weak from not excercising. Mom is finding some elastic bands that were recommended for excercise at sea. She is also researching the solar ovens that were recommended. Thank you to everyone who sent money for my meal(s) in Majuro. I am still thinking about them...in fact someone from Majuro wrote to tell me of the best restarants there!

A few people have asked if I have a daily routine. As I wrote down what I do each day, I realized that I do have a routine, sort of. When I wake up in the morning the first thing I do is check the bilges for water. I do this several times a day but always first thing. It is normal for boats to take on a little water. I have several bilge pumps that pump this out when it reaches a certain height. If too much water is getting in then you have to search and figure out where it is coming from. Next I clean up the boat. Still don't know how it gets so messy! Then I brush my teeth and go out to check the sails. I check the radar and scan for ships. I call my mom every morning to give her an update. Then I eat breakfast and read. Time goes by quickly as by the time I am getting sleepy from reading, it is usually about 2:00pm. After my nap I check email, watch a DVD, check my course and make dinner. I usually go to bed between 7:30 and 9:00. I call home most nights to check over the boat with my dad, talk to my siblings and give mom another update. The days go by quickly and I have never been bored yet. This is probably because in between all these things I am checking and tweaking sails and lines, checking my course and the boat.

After winds as much as 25 knots yesterday day and evening, my wind dropped today into the low teens. That with the slap of those swells has made holding my course more difficult today. I have had to head up off course a little to keep the boat from bashing around. The forecast calls for more wind so I hope it comes soon. I liked making 6 knots steady. Today has been more like 4.5 knots average. Because I have been on the same tack (heading or direction) for awhile I went on deck to set up the running back stays. This is an added line that runs from the middle of the mast to the back of the boat deck to give extra support to the mast that is being stressed by constant pressure. It is pretty wild up on deck but fortunately it didn't take too long. I was wearing my inflatable life jacket that was sponsored by SailingPFD.com. It has a built in harness that attaches to a line that is attached to the boat so if I slip and fall, I won't fall overboard. The inflatable part is activated by contact with water. They are much more comfortable than regular bulky life jackets. This jacket also has a pocket that my Spot transponder fits into. This is a water proof device that can send out an emergency beacon to rescue authorities world wide if I need help. It transmits my coordinates so I am 'easy' to find. It is how I am sending my daily coordinates as well as it has an OK button that just lets people know I'm OK and where I am.

That's it for now. Until tomorrow.
Zac