Oh Ship!
I had a great night last night. I only had 3 small squalls that I didn't have to get up for. I actually had a decent night's sleep. I got on the Rag on the Air radio net this morning and spoke with Moana who are still living it up in the Solomon Islands. This will be the last time I am able to talk to them. I am getting too far away to get good reception. I can't remember what frequency the Sheila Net is on so if someone knows, please post it as a comment or email to zacsworldadventure@yahoo.com which is my land-based email address.
I made some oatmeal and wrote a list of jobs for the day:
clean up salon (living room)
clean up water on salon floor
unlog scuppers (drains) in cockpit
sort out lines on deck
clean out combing boxes
clean out Vberth
get easy, quick food ready for Torres Strait passage
check email - I found the power supply, Mike. Thanks!
Unfortunately, I spent a lot of today watching out for the 7 ships that came across my path. I had to tack and beat into the wind for awhile to avoid colliding with one ship. All of my cleaning up in the salon was undone.
Spent the rest of the day studying and troubleshooting systems with Dad on the phone. It is vitally important that all systems are fully functioning. I had trouble starting my engine during a routine check last week. It fixed itself which is not very encouraging because I don't know when it will unfix itself.
Cheers,
Zac
I made some oatmeal and wrote a list of jobs for the day:
clean up salon (living room)
clean up water on salon floor
unlog scuppers (drains) in cockpit
sort out lines on deck
clean out combing boxes
clean out Vberth
get easy, quick food ready for Torres Strait passage
check email - I found the power supply, Mike. Thanks!
Unfortunately, I spent a lot of today watching out for the 7 ships that came across my path. I had to tack and beat into the wind for awhile to avoid colliding with one ship. All of my cleaning up in the salon was undone.
Spent the rest of the day studying and troubleshooting systems with Dad on the phone. It is vitally important that all systems are fully functioning. I had trouble starting my engine during a routine check last week. It fixed itself which is not very encouraging because I don't know when it will unfix itself.
Cheers,
Zac
posted by Zac at
9:04 PM
57 Comments:
Zac, I've got one word for your salon: stow. My captain made us keep everything stowed away and our salon stayed neat and clean and we could find stuff when we needed it. And squalls and beating didn't matter. Of course she had where everything went marked with a label maker too. It was good knowing that in an emergency we could find those pliers we needed.
Best of luck in the Torres Strait! It's been great fun reading about your adventures.
Here goes what I have been able to find:
Coral Sea "Sheila Net" 8161
Darwin Net 6516
More to follow, for now, good idea about the quick food. Navigation is going to start to seem like a video game with all the ships and obstacles. Hang Tough, glad to hear you got sleep.
Kate
Hello Zac!!
Lists are great. I like checking things OFF the list best.
I agree with Scott, keeping everything stowed is the best way to keep that salon neat and tidy. Those see through plastic totes with lids are just right for the job, along with an index card that has contents listed and you'll be golden...........OK so now my OCD has been exposed....LOL!!!
Too bad you won't be in contact with Monoa much longer, I'm sure you both liked the company.
Well, get that quick food put together, and sail on through to Oz!!!
God Speed
Anita
Captain SV "Wombat"
Hi, Zac. Well, between the ships and Torres Strait, it sounds like you're going to be very busy over the short term. You'll be great. Hope you've got a good supply of Clif bars and stuff. Just take your time and do what you know has to be done. We're all behind you every nautical mile and every second of your trip.
Scott
Captain Zac,
Unclog those scuppers and study those currents. Here's to safe passage through the Strait.
You are doing great. Keep your chin up.
Thinking of you,
Tammy
Hey Zac, It does this old Father good to know you've gotten the rest you needed.....so I won't bug you about it anymore.
The comment from Scott points out the need for strict organization and planning, yet it might not be the strongest male instinct ever. But one that is a great idea given the complexity of your task at hand.
Keep up the good work, stay vigilant and alert.
We'll all breathe a little easier when you're thru the Torres! Right Mom?
Zac, I'm not a radio type, but I did find this with Google: "Shiela Net operates at 21:00hrs Z from March to January on 8467Mhz" I hope that helps...
Good you got some rest! And I hope you get some more before Torres. I imagine one of your biggest obstacles now will be traffic as you move on in towards Oz.
Rest up so you can stay alert and stay safe!
Cheers!
willy
milford, ohio
Good morning Zac!
All the books I've read, about others doing what you are right now, the motors always seemed to give up the most, something to do with salt water ya' think? :/
God bless your sail today!
Tamara
Hello Zac & Everyone,
Well it's great that you received quite a few hours of sleep again. I'm sure this will make you feel much better knowing you slept well especially with the passage coming up.
I'm sure Mom can relate with cleaning up and a few hours later seeing it back the way it was before you started cleaning. I'm sure Mom is smiling right now. The traffic will start to get a little more congested the closer you get to Australia. Please make sure that you are aware of all the danger and steer clear of those ships.
Glad to hear that you and Dad are getting Intrepid in tip top shape for the passage upcoming. Hopefully the engine won't have a problem starting again. I'm sure you know that the engine will require a 50 hour service. Hopefully you'll be able to do this at one of the ports when you're getting close to those service hours.
Anyone out there if you haven't watched the movie White Squall I would encourage everyone to rent this movie. The leading actor is Jeff Bridges. This is a must see movie especially if you're following Zac's Adventure. You will learn what it's like out there in the middle of the ocean. It also demonstrates how kids from many different backgrounds must all come together and become a team. Great movie and it teaches so many good lessons.
Take care, navigate safely, get plenty of rest, and study your land marks and passage in. I'm sure you hear this all the time but everyone here cares about your adventure and all of us would all like to see a perfectly safe passage all around the world.
Sail On,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
YEA for good night's sleep!! Happy for you.
Are you sure your engine wasn't manufactured by Microsoft somewhere along the way? I work with computers...sometimes they stop working and start working like that. :P
Well, it must be good to see some boat traffic - I guess - then you know you are approaching land and humanity again, right? Encouraging?
Take care in all your prepararations. The Lord walks with you, Cap'n Zac! Ahoy!
Kate nailed it with her "navigation is going to seem like a video game" comment...
Unfortunately, it's going to be a 3-4 day 7x24 adventure...
I sail the SE Florida and Bahamas the most, in the Gulfstream and the Florida straights it's not uncommon to see 10-15 ships in a night crossing...
It will be interesting to see what Zac's day and night ship count will be...
Daveh
Hi Marianne.
Does Zac has a GPS he can use in the cockpit with his waypoints on it?
Thanks for the info
Axel
You are approaching some very famous waters. Once you turn East, you will be paralleling the tracks of three historic voyages.
First, of Captain Bligh and his men who were cast adrift in the Bounty's launch by Fletcher Christian and the mutineers near Tofua in the Tongas. Bligh and his 17 men, in the 23 foot launch, made it from the Tongas to Timor, living on about an ounce of hardtack per man per day. Still considered one of the most heroic open-boat voyages in history.
Second, of Captain Edward Edwards in HMS Pandora, sent out to recover the Bounty, on her way home after arresting 14 of the mutineers in Tahiti and many weeks of searching the islands from Tonga to Samoa. He didn't make it. He made a fatal, most say stupid, error. He had one of the ship's boats out ahead of the ship as pilot and night was coming on. The wise course would have been to lie to for the night and find his boat in the morning. But Edwards had already lost two boats during the search, the Pandora's jolly boat with four hands and the ship's tender with nine, and fearful of losing yet another he put on sail and almost immediately hit a reef. It took the Pandora many hours to sink but he still managed to lose 32 of his own men and 4 of the prisoners. They had salvaged four of the ship's boats and Edwards ultimately got his remaining men and the ten prisoners home, but they never gave him another ship.
Third, that tender that had been presumed lost. It was in fact a 30 foot schooner built by the mutineers on Tahiti and outfitted and put into service by Edwards. Not lost, but merely separated near the Island of Upolu in the
Samoas, the Matavy Tender, Captained by 20-year-old Master's Mate William Oliver, sailed from the Samoas to Java and was there waiting when Edwards and his survivors arrived. (They had been under some suspicion by the local authorities. Nine ragtag British sailors in a boat built of Tahiti wood? Mutineers!)
So, Zac, a little history while you're making history. While you're cleaning, think of Bligh: What if your boat were 13 foot shorter and you had 17 men to help you? When you're throwing something together to eat, think of Oliver and his crew, living on cocoa nuts and yams, yams and cocoa nuts.
And think of this: One day it will be written, 'This way too went Intrepid, Captain Zac Sunderland, youngest to circumnavigate the globe.'
Sail on, Zac. God be with you.
Zac,
Glad you are getting yourself and the boat ready for the Strait. Sounds like a stopped up scupper would be a bad thing.
Stay strong!
Steve
Birmingham, Alabama
Sounds like organization skills will really pay off in the next week - a challenge you meet well it seems. Have fun in the Torres - if you're like all the other teens, video games and navigation is your thing. I'm sure you'll have fun and relish the challenge - it's right up your alley.
For insurance though, I'll still be praying.
Tell those ships to get the **** out of your way - you've got a world record going on here and you own the ocean right now (just kidding).
Hi Zac,
Sounds like this leg has been quite a challenge. I proudly wore my Zac t-shirt this weekend in Newport RI and I was stopped by a few people who asked about it so you may get a few new visitors to your blog. One person whom in particular was interested worked at www.vanderwal.com which is a gallery of Onne Van der wal's sailing inspired photography. When you have time check out the website as the photographs are quite amazing. Who knows maybe he will get a chance to photograph you.
Be safe.
Larry B.
To WillyBoy, Axel and Daveh...
Thank you very much for answering my question regarding GPS coordinates and quickly!
What a great team Zak has watching out for him! It is just wonderful!
God Bless you folks!
Cheryl
Good luck Zack. Pulling for you from Washington DC.
Best,
J
http://adventuresinvoluntarysimplicity.blogspot.com/
Zac,
I'm so glad to hear you got some good rest.
I wonder if any of the ships you are passing have heard of your adventure? Do they ever try to contact you?
Stay safe,
Mona
Tucson, AZ
P.S. To Douglas,
After your original posting (a couple of Sunday's ago) about the movie "White Squall" I went to my local blockbuster but unfortunately they did not stock it. But after you mentioning again how good it is, I will pursue it further and find it somewhere.
Love the title of today's blog! Always happy to see a good sense of humor.
from Iowa
Be prepared Zac. Your skills will be tested in a variety of ways. It is clear that you are keenly aware of this basic fact. And, if you are reading this it probably means that you are not cleaning or preparing yourself or Intrepid in some way...Okay, now back to the stuyding of charts, cleaning an organizing of space, supplies etc.GO GET EM!Melanie in Torrance
i am going to take the liberty of declaring labor day--zac sunderland t-shirt day----let's all wear our "zac shirts" where ever it is we go --to the beach, a picnic, bar b q, the hollywood bowl, or sailing, of course!....SAILING.
have a great and safe labor day, one and all!.
john baker/w hollywood/ca/USofA
jbaker1226@aol.com
Hi Zac,
This is my very first post and I have really enjoyed following your adventure since late May of this year. I, like many others also remember Robin Lee Graham's voyage and inspiration when I was a teenager. I could barely wait for each of the issues of National Geographic Magazine to arrive with the continuation of his voyage.
After all those years, I finally took sailing lessons and bought a Catalina 30 back in 2000. My family and I have enjoyed it immensely with many trips to Catalina Island - our small slice of heaven.
And now, once again just like Robin Lee Graham, I find myself inspired by Zac Sunderland's adventure of a lifetime. There are so many of us who would really enjoy being on that boat with you. Fortunately we have the next best thing and can live the adventure through your posts. I look forward to them whenever they're available. You are a very brave and competent young man with a wonderful family. Accolades to Your Mother and Father for completely educating and supporting you to attempt such an incredible adventure.
One thing about the uncertainty of your engine. I'm hoping and am sure that you've already prepared your anchor and rode for quick deployment if needed. I was coming back into the Long Beach breakwater under power and Main sail when I looked down and noticed my engine overheating. I shut it down immediately but there was no wind. So I was now drifting toward the Queens Gate entry of the breakwater about 300yards away. This situation was something I never expected to happen, but there it was. I quickly went below and closed the seacock on the engine salt water intake hose and disconnected the other end from the strainer. I extended the hose upward above the waterline, and opened the seacock back up and luckily blew out an obstruction. I connected everything back up and started the engine and we went on our way. It was quite scary there for a moment, but I knew I could always deploy my anchor to stop the drift.
It can be very scary having no motor and wind in a bad situation, and sometimes in the panic you can forget about your options, so please make sure that your ground tackle is ready to deploy in an emergency.
Fair winds & calm seas
Malcolm
Chino Hills, CA
Correction to my previous post: Once you turn West, repeat West. What, he says, turn East? I'm not turning East! Sorry.
Hello Mona,
Thanks for trying to rent the movie White Squall. I didn't have any problems picking it up but I use Blockbuster's On-line Service. Believe me when I tell you this movie is well worth the searching you'll do to get it. The movie isn't that old and I'm guessing around 4 or 5 years at the most. You might want to call some of the smaller video stores in Tucson or another Blockbuster Video near you.
I spent a lot of time in Tucson and even purchased a brand new home in 2005 in a gated community just of Speedway.
I hope everyone reading this blog will rent this movie White Squall with Jeff Bridges and enjoy it as much as I did. It's worth your time and energy, I promise.
Mona, good luck finding White Squall. If you need any of the movie specifics you can always send me a email.
Take Care,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
If somebody is interested in checking the current wind situation Zac is in - her is a link:
http://www.grib.us/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx
I just found it. It's free but you need to register
Axel
White Squal is one of the best movies I've ever seen... True story also, trial was in my home town of St. Petersburg Florida...
Great Story for sure...
You can find Dove (Robin Grahams circumavigation) movie on Amazon, BUT, you must select VHS and type in Dove in the query or it won't show up...
They are all used copies of course...
Daveh
I am glad you got some sleep Zac. Your voyage is really something to read about, the journey of a lifetime. You will never know how much it means to those of us who will never get a chance to do something like this to read about your adventures.
I guess you are in an area with a lot of ships. Stay cool and keep the faith, you are doing great. I will always remember reading your journal and watching the Olympics, what a great combination! Take care.
Zac,
Looking at your track so far on Google Earth, I can just imagine you giving directions to a novice sailor on how to get from Hawaii to Darwin:
"...... then you turn sharp left at Marshall Islands ....."
Axel!!! Incredible find for FREE... I'm used to paying $$$ for weaterfax, etc...
The animation is great, he's stilling getting a SOLID 20-25kts, but it's a SE wind, quarter stern, should be a nice sleigh ride for Zac, my favorite position of sail 1/4 to 1/3 off the stern...
A frind of mine wrote the book "Gentlemen never sail to weather"... Zac would make him proud today...
Great find Axel...
Daveh
I added some info on White Squall a while back - excellent movie, IMO. It's a bit older than you think, Douglas - came out in 1996. Here is the Internet Movie Database info on it:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118158/
And if you're in the mood to buy it, here is the link at Amazon:
http://tinyurl.com/6pulo4
And the book the movie is based on (even better than the movie if you are a reader):
http://tinyurl.com/5tja5a
It is a tragic story, and worth watching. May Intrepid and her Captain Zac never see such tragedy.
Cheers,
willy
Thanks to Axel's Grib website he found...
Even though Zac is still making way to Australia, I pondered the winds of Western Australia to East Africa / Madagascar....
Sooo.... I've posted a new image on www.temphost100.com that shows the winds between those two Continents...
Intersting winds currents...
I'm considering creating a website that is easier to remember, maybe something like www.zacsblogimages.com and getting it more organized by category, month, and a brief narration for each image we discuss here on the blog and that I post...
I threw together the temphost100 site on a whim one night late to help out, I think it started with "Oceans Currents" and it's not that useful to "newly arrived" follower's of Zac's Adventure...
Hummm....
Daveh
Hello Willyboy,
Thanks for all the White Squall information. I looked at all your links. I actually found White Squall on DVD and it says Brand New. Not like the age of the movie I guessed was no more than 5 years old but released in 1996.
To Mona, if you go to Ebay you'll find a copy of White Squall on DVD for .01 cents and $4.95 for shipping from a seller in Texas. The bidding ends tomorrow around 15 hundred hours. You may want to look at the trailer also on the first link that Willyboy sent. You'll get a little feel for this movie.
Have fun watching,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
Daveh and Axel,
The UGRIB site is fascinating, especially with the animation. However, I couldn't find a legend (or help area) for the little icons, and I don't know that they mean. Some are read, green, aqua and blue and they look like little sideways and upside-down "F"s. I'm sure you sailors who are always looking at charts know the translation, but as a novice, I haven't the slightest idea how to read it. Can you translate for those of us who aren't familiar with charts like those?
Marilyn
Woodland Hills
Loved the title of your blog! And so glad you are getting some rest. You will need it in the days ahead.
I will certainly rent White Squall. Thanks for the suggestion.
Best of luck through the Torres Strait, Zac. You remain in my prayers. You are such an incredible inspiration!
Blessings,
Jennifer
Sherman Oaks, CA
Just a note from some folks in Palm Springs sending you love and good thoughts! We're stickin' with you all the way my friend! Peace!
White Squall is available for delivery now on netflix. I just added it to my queue.
ZAC, GLAD YOU GOT SOME GOOD REST. I CAN TELL IN YOUR WRITING IT DID YOU SOME GOOD!! I KNOW YOU WILL MISS TALKING TO THE MONA, GOOD LUCK CONTACTING THE SHELIA NET, I SAW SOMEONE GOT YOU THE INFO. I'M SURE ITS NICE TO TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE THATS OUT THERE WITH YOU. HANG TOUGH! HOW'S THE FISHING THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS. THINKING ABOUT YOU ALWAYS AND REMEMBERING YOU IN MY PRAYERS!!
DAVID
zac,
great stuff. why do you see more boats in the evening and night than in the day?
Bill
Minneapolis
Sir Zac, You are the MAN
you are doing so so excellent...
"Thank you LORD", for answered prayer for Zac
being vigilent and adapting to the situation...
being forward thinking... not reactive but proactive...
"A" pluses for you...
we've been having hurricanes stateside...
these mountains you've been climbing are just in preparation for what lies ahead of you...
know your boat 'Intrepid", the feel of her and the sounds, pay attention to the sounds ... use all of your senses and intuitiveness...
as far as the engine spray wd 40 around the electricals... it acts as a sealant if your boat is wet and smelly so is the engine compartment... do it after things have dried out... get x'tras cans in oz land, and that little red tubie thingy, to direct the spray.
as you're heading down under remember you're transitioning from their winter to spring...
as far as the "organization" of things get lots of open net sacks of different sizes... great for fruit cause they can breathe and not mold as fast, they'll act as a gimble when you heel over... and you can find things easier... especially the dirty clothes ...LOL
becareful what you hang them off of you dont want sharp things you can bump into and get hurt by you need to be learning how to tie various knots, different size lines are paramount to have... nylon as well as cotton...
glad the scuppers are clean, remember water is gonna seek it's lowest level... get into the bilges and make sure they are dry... and "what" clogged the scuppers??
as mentioned before about learning how to use a sextant handheld, and having one and a good book about constellations...
just in case the electricals go out.. having basic back up...
just being prudent...
pretty incredible Zac you're leaving the Pacific and heading towards the Indian ocean, about a third of the distance completed...i think you're already settng records...
phenominal, and you still have 96 days before your birthday,
how about a birthday wish list for the ZacPac, you've surely earned it... and we can forward it to Oz land...
"shall we throw another shrimp on the barbie for ya"
yeah i loved they idea of everyone wearing their ZacPac crew t-shirts...for labor day..
enjoy the incredible handiwork of THE MASTER...
be in THE WORD, wise men still seek HIM..
"listen for I wil speak noble things".. proverbs 8:6a
in our prayers and thoughts
"constantly"
mark n adino, vicksburg,mississippi
My own copy of Dove arrived in the mail today. I happened across the book last winter and read it for the second time (1st was as a teen in the 70's). I didn't even know about Zac, last winter. Sort of serendipitous, I think. So now I've bought a copy for my kids to own and read. They also enjoy Zac's updates. We'll add White Squall to our entertainment list, too.
Hang in there Zac. So glad for your inspiring adventure.
Kathy V.
Provo, UT
Hey, I sail my boat in Marina del Rey and I'm 17.I love reading about your trip knowing that you're my age. (I have your blog bookmarked on my phone. =). )
I just wanted to let you know when I was in Pasadena last weekend, they had a dozen or so "wish trees". Everyone wrote their wish on a tag and tied it onto the branch. So i wanted to let you know that in Pasadena there is a tree branch sharing your story and wishing for your safe passage home.
What kinds of sea life have you seen out there? Anything besides flying fish?
Wish you good luck. I hope nothing bad happens. I will be unhappy if there are lots of storms. I hope you make it. I've only been on a ship 2 times and that's true, but compared to yours the ship was a bit bigger. On a trip from Catalina at night it was really cold. I wish I could compare that to you.
From Lauren (Calabasas Lupin - Hill first-grader).
I wish you good luck. I'm going to be unhappy if there are storms. And I hope that no sea animals eat you and I hope no great white sharks eat you and I've been on an island before called Catalina. I hope nothing makes you sad.
From Brennen (Agoura Hills - pre-schooler)
Just a quick request: If anyone knows of someone in/near Darwin who'd be willing to rent a postbox for a month (UPS Stores & Boxmail do this stateside) for us ZacPac'ers, please ask them to do so. There are many of us who wish to encourage Capt. Zac in his journey via letters (it's too late to send a postcard) or very tiny pkgs w/useful items (remember they have to clear Customs!) for Capt. Zac's next leg. Please contact your friend/family member & immediately post the address w/box#.
HUGS!
Tomi/ATL
Does anyone know what happened to Zac's route tracking on Google. Mine has stopped on 8/19.
steve P, yuma, az
The last sentence of this blog entry is HILARIOUS!
Hi Zac,
Glad you were able to get a good night's sleep. Hopefully, the seas will be kind to you, again.
It must be quite a view to see all the ships towering over you. Are they aware of your presence in the area, so they can watch out for you?
Sending you prayers for a safe sail through the Torres. As always, stay safe and God keep watch over you.
Dick & Gin
Upland
Thinking of you Zac!
Loved reading your blog like always.
It’s my morning hit
Must be grate out there the whole world to yourself.
Good luck with the Straits!
Anna, aus
Zac or any of U Oldsalts,
It might good if U could describe a few things for the many kid following your journey.
- What's the ocean smell like?
- Do U smell diesel fuel or only when the engines are running?
- Do U run your engine daily to recharge the batteries?
-Many kid's think that once the sun sets it's all storms, lightning, and nasty seas. Please clarify.
- Is it warm enough for a salt water shower?
- Is the chair at the tiller comfortable to sit in for long spells?
- How much water U have for food/drink.
- Do U talk to yourself?
- Do U have good sound system? Tunes cranked?
-If U could have one piece of equipment on board that U don't have currently have, what would it be?
Thanks
Zack word on your engen if you don't have a valve on your excst you may have got some water in it with the havey sea chk the oil for water you may have gotten lucky
I hope so . water can do a lot of damge if not cout in time .
best of luuck
Bilgerat101
Hi There Zac...
Keep up the great work, you are doing just fine! Keep you eyes and senses sharp, you will pass with flying colors...
Mom and Dad, we are thinking of you too. Anxious moments I know. May you have peace and reassurance in the coming days.
Blessings, Bob
Zacpac - For those that are newer, you can see just how widespread the ZacPac is by viewing and putting your pin on the Zac Guestmap at
http://pub31.bravenet.com/guestmap/show.php?usernum=2662145323&password=&movetox=0&movetoy=0
Hi Marilyn...
Here is a link for an explanation on those barbs...
ww2010.atmos.uiuc.ed(Gl)/guides/maps/sfcobs/wnd.rxml
I hope the whole address shows up!
Jim - Boulder Creek, CA
Zac,
I picked up a Spot unit after seeing they were one of your sponsors. After some frustrating customer service problems during initialization I have to admit that it seems like a very impressive unit and a sound investment. You can tell them the sponsorship works :-)
I'm curious if you are using Spot to keep your support team informed or if you have found that you are too far out of the coverage zones ?
I'm also interested in which AIS system you have. I assume it is a standalone unit or is it integrated with the rest of your electronics ?
Thanks and fair winds !
Sven Grenander
MDR
Okay, I’ve received a few eMails about how to read the UGRIB wind charts…
Below is a link and a quick narrative that I typed up for Marilyn that asked about this….
Basically, view the little sticks with a perspective that they are arrows with half feathers on the end and no arrow head on the point...
What I mean by that is the part without the little ticks on the side (where an arrow head would be if it were an arrow) are point to the direction the wind is going, which is NOT the direction of the wind. Wind direction is ALWAYS where it's coming from and NOT where it’s going to…
So, if the stick is pointing directly to the North, then the wind is currently coming from the South, and thus called a South wind...
The little tick marks indicate 10kts per mark, and 5kts per half mark...
So a line with one full size tick mark indicates winds of 10kts, 2 full marks, 20kts, 2 full marks and a half mark indicate 25kts…
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gl)/guides/maps/sfcobs/wnd.rxml
Good luck!
Daveh & Skipper
To the person with the question about seeing more ships at night than during the day...
While large ports are 7x24 operations, most aren't. Even the ones that are 7x24 have larger crews during daylight hours and light crews working at night, loading and unloading...
The minute these ships are loaded or unloaded completely, they head out to sea... thus, you see more at night than the day time...
I should note though that with the naked eye, a ship just barely over the horizon can't be seen during the day, but at night, depending on the lighting arrangement and brightness, you can see the "glow" of the lights before you can see the ship.
Daveh
Hi Zac,
Thanks to you I just completed reading "Sailing Alone Around the World" by Captain Joshua Slocum. I loved it. He mentioned many of the same things you have told about. It was most interesting.
Reading your blog and following your course is the best. I really wish you all the best. You are doing a great thing.
Denny
Zac,
Did recounting my experience with the sea water in my engine aboard SV Carolina help in anyway? What valve did you replace. I was unable to find a description of how you attacked the problem? Is there water in the oil again after you turned back to the Yacht Club? What exactly was the problem in the end?
John Joeright
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