Today's Highlights: Spam and Sweat
Latest Position: 18August08 0331UTC 6.24S, 169.16E
Another night full of squalls. I haven't had a good sleep in a few days now. Today I tried to take care of a few jobs and rest. I am reading Passage Guide to the Torres Straights and Northern Territory Cruising Guide in preparation for next week. According to Clearpoint Weather there is a nasty weather system brewing down there. I'll need to keep my eyes on that and really rest up before arriving there. After I pass the Solomons in 450 miles it is only 1000 miles to the Torres Straights. There was a time when 450 miles seemed like a huge distance. Now 1000 miles is a week, no problem!
Today' weather is good. I've got a steady 12-15 knots. I've been heading more westward now and the angle has been more comfortable though I am still rolling and bashing more than I would like. Moana is nearing their next port of Ghizo in the Solomon Islands. We had a good laugh yesterday about our conditions. Everyone has heard of the Roaring 40s. The area at 40 degrees south where the wind and seas roar. We are in the Sweating 5s. I swear my whole boat smells like sweat.
No fish this morning. I feel better because Moana lost their fish as well. I had to resort to Spam today. My next boat will definitely have a freezer.
Cheers,
Zac
Another night full of squalls. I haven't had a good sleep in a few days now. Today I tried to take care of a few jobs and rest. I am reading Passage Guide to the Torres Straights and Northern Territory Cruising Guide in preparation for next week. According to Clearpoint Weather there is a nasty weather system brewing down there. I'll need to keep my eyes on that and really rest up before arriving there. After I pass the Solomons in 450 miles it is only 1000 miles to the Torres Straights. There was a time when 450 miles seemed like a huge distance. Now 1000 miles is a week, no problem!
Today' weather is good. I've got a steady 12-15 knots. I've been heading more westward now and the angle has been more comfortable though I am still rolling and bashing more than I would like. Moana is nearing their next port of Ghizo in the Solomon Islands. We had a good laugh yesterday about our conditions. Everyone has heard of the Roaring 40s. The area at 40 degrees south where the wind and seas roar. We are in the Sweating 5s. I swear my whole boat smells like sweat.
No fish this morning. I feel better because Moana lost their fish as well. I had to resort to Spam today. My next boat will definitely have a freezer.
Cheers,
Zac
posted by Zac at
9:23 PM
23 Comments:
Zac,
All is well that ends well, keep your eye on the finish line I believe you will make it all the way!
Hi Zac,
Great to read about how much you've learned and the confidence you've gained in your remarkable skills.
Sorry about that SPAM. Better luck tomorrow.
Hey Zac,
It is really sounding like things are ramping up. Almost like you are preparing for battle! It amazes me how focused you are to be reading up on the area you will be passing. I'm sure it is going to be a challenge you will win!
So the temps and humidity must be awful. Talk about sweat equity. I hope you can get a storm where you can shower in the cockpit and feel better.
Were are all cheering you one and most important, praying for you. You deserve safe passage, and God will provide it for you.
You take care Zac!
Best,
Peter
Good on you mate! Greetings and best wishes from Cornwall, UK.
Alex Kendall
Enjoyed yesterdays and todays post. It sounds like you are in the groove dealing with miles...1000 miles=1 week=no big deal. Good mental thinking.Typical sailing...from the doldrums to crazy weather (boredom to shear terro). We are all confident that you will handle it well. Just be sure to get to well nourished and rested before heading into the straights. I know that you already know this.We are all looking forward to the accomplishment of the next leg of your journey.Stay positive, rested and well fed. Take your vitamins and anti malaria pills. We all feel like we are in the boat with you. Stay safe.Linda and BillWashington DC
Zac, man, you are moving right along - I'm sure that helps out. As for the sweat, be sure to stay hydrated and as mentioned, take those anti-malarials...
I'm following the weather down that way, satellite mostly. I see some activity off the east coast of Australia, I'm guessing that's what you're concerned about?
I hope the squalls give you a break soon so you can get some rest before heading on west, into the tricky areas...
Cheers!
willy
milford, ohio
Hello Zac & Everyone,
It's great to hear your doing well and moving along quite nicely. Sorry about all the heat but being that close to the equator I'm sure it's expected.
If the whole boat smells like sweat pick up some glad air fresheners when you arrive in Australia. Nothing like the scent to flowers over powered by the scent of sweat. At least your alone and no one else has to share your air.
On Sunday I went to the Beverly Glen Mall in Beverly Hills wearing your t-shirt. Believe it or not but I received three different comments from people who knew of your journey. They were not part of the Zac Pac but believe me they currently know how become a member. They were all informed by me of your location and what's going on with you and your family. I also told them they could purchase t-shirts directly off your website.
Try and stay cool and I hope you'll be able to get better rest these next few days. Take care and be safe.
Sail On,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
T-shirt link is a dead end.
I have not commented on here until now,but I have checked up on your progress almost daily. I wish I could have done this very thing when I was young. Young people don't realize it most of the time but parents know there kids better then anyone . That your parents have such faith in your abillities to do this tells me you will see this through to the end. good luck. I will keep watching and mostly learn and have fun too. Jay
I don't envy you right now, my friend. However, I know you will make it through. Persevere!
Stay strong, Cap'n Zac! Sing to the Lord and He will strengthen you. May your mini-naps be refreshing to you, may your SPAM be filling to you and may your sails continue to be full.
L.A. in MN
Well, there seem to be some server issues at present with zacsunderland.com... I thought you might enjoy this, though... Keep an eye out for lonely whales - probably not a big issue out in mid-sea, but as you get in closer to Austalia, you don't want to end up being a surrogate mama to a little whale... :) Or maybe you do... ;)
http://tinyurl.com/6yyes4
(links to CNN video)...
Cheers...
willy
Nebraska Cornhusker still watching.
Didn't know there were thesespecial areas known for particular natural behaviors. Getting fascinating.
I can't read in a moving car let alone a tossing boat. arrgghhhhh
bless you-
Charlie
As always, I eagerly await word on how things are going. Every blog entry is a good read!
from Iowa
Zac and Family,
It's real nice to see the site up again.....some, I believe had trouble getting to the site most of yesterday, and as worriers are, it caused a great deal of concern....unfounded, yet well intended.
Anyhow, as mentioned before with sweating come dehydration, especially in a salt environment, so stay hydrated in any way you can, avoid salty foods (like spam), and try to keep the fruit intake steady...bananas, citrus. I know it's hard being out for weeks, but I'm also sure you know all this too well by now.
Sweating is also your bodies way of cooling itself, so some is good.
Trying to keep this positive today, yet the reality of where you are heading, and it's current struggles with pirates makes all the stories of danger that much more unsettling.
We are all thinking of you, your safety, and your progress.
Hello Zac & Everyone,
It's great to see that the website has changed again. Loved the Intrepid/Questions section. This will be very helpful to everyone following your journey who knows absolutely nothing about sailing. The site was down for many hours yesterday and I'm sure this was due to all the changes to the site.
So you hit the spam can again!!! Hopefully you don't start enjoying the stuff. If you do please make sure you don't eat it while on land. It's good to know that a joke actually came in very handy, thanks Mom. I don't know how you do this trip around the world without a freezer.
Take care and please try and catch a fish for me and eat it all up. Believe me I'm sure it will taste better than spam.
Sail On,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
Hey Zac,
I hope you get some rest soon, it sounds like a sweatbox there on your boat right now. I really love to read about your adventures, for those of us who are landlubbers, it's a way to kind of experience the adventure from home.
We are all rooting for you and I know you will be at your next port soon. Stay safe and hang in there!
Eric
Maryland
Zac,
So glad to hear from you again. Being a mom I was worried when the site wasn't available yesterday! Sounds like you're doing okay and managing everything well. It's good that you are reading up on the navigation challenges of the straits. I'll be following along with you. Safe passage and you'll be in Austrailia before you know it!
Sally
Annapolis, MD
Zac
I think the progress you're making sound like a great deal compared to the 70 miles per day a crew of three said they were getting when they sailed around the world!
It sounds dreadful right now, with sqalls and being wet and cold when trying to sleep.
Those three hour roaring waves sound scary too; not knowing how big of a wave is coming, but knowing it is coming! Yikes! They sound like mini tsunamis! Crazy stuff!
It would be nice if you could set tight near the Soloman Islands and get some sleep and perhaps catch a fish or two.
I got my t-shirt and I think I'll wear it to the mall too. I'll let you know if it gets any comments!
I hope you will find more friends to chat with on the radio after the Moana folks end their trip. It must be the closest thing to 'company' you have out there.
Stay safe
P.S. To the Nebraska Cornhusker who posted, I'm from Nebraska!(now living in Colorado) Go Big Red!
Hi Zac,
I have been following your voyage and have enjoyed reading about your adventures. My husband and I are sailors and have a 30 ft. Islander that we have sailed the San Juans in the Pacific Northwest. It was a wet boat and it sounds like yours' is also pretty wet. Why are you getting wet at night? Are you sleeping in the cockpit? Is your boat leaking perhaps thru the hatches? If you're at the helm outside the dodger area (close to the stern) you will get wet! Isn't your stearing vane handling the squalls? Wear your foulies! Stay safe. Vaya con dios.
Zac,
Glad the weather is better. And wow! 1000 miles a week! fast! so sorry about your spam meals. btw, i have never had spam, does it taste ok?
prayers and thoughts,
Taylor m. 13.
Hey Zac,
My girls go to Grace and we heard of your journey from one of the staff. We have been checking in on your website ever since. What an incredible journey you are on! We are praying for your success and safety. What an adventure.
Blessings,
The Baker Family
well done on your resolve and best of luck. I find it an intrepid journey to sail from Cairns to Green Is! Though my husband and I took a 16 foot yacht from Sydney to Cairns - a bit mad. I recently updated the Northern Territory Cruising Guide - hope you are enjoying it. Will you be landing in Cairns or first stop Darwin. I can help you when you get here or give you information on entering the country.
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