Good Evening,
Just a quick note to let you all know that Zac is having poor reception today and so far has not been able to send out his blog. The wind picked up some this morning and we was sailing along at 4.5 knots in 8 knots of wind. Later today, the wind had dropped back down to about 3 knots and he was pretty much wallowing at 1 knot. Fortunately, the seas are calm though he is sweating, bored and trying to think of excuses not to do his chores. (Reading between the lines, that is.) It looks like the wind will be whipping around near him tomorrow so lets hope that he makes enough westing to pick it up. Once he hits the tradewinds he should fairly fly along and make it to Cocos Keeling in a few weeks.
Cocos Keeling is an interesting place. It is an Australian territory but has a very small land area. It is used mostly for vacationing. If you google Cocos Keeling you will find it is one of the most beautiful places ever. White sand, clear blue water...I have heard that you can see down to the bottom in 100 feet of water. Hopefully, there will be other cruisers there that Zac can hang out with some. Still not sure if anyone will be flying out to meet him. There will have to be some photos and film taken. Send me, send me!!
I don't think I will bother posting the address for him there because mail is only delivered once a week and that after it reaches Australia! I did check into whether or not Natasza Caban (another circumnavigator) was still in Cocos Keeling but it looks like she left maybe a few days ago.
Meanwhile, Minoru Saito from Japan is waiting out a series of typhoons in Japan before heading out on his 8th solo circumnavigation! He holds the record for the oldest person to sail around the world alone. He will leave Japan and head south around Australia going the 'wrong way' around all the southern capes. This means he will be going against the wind and currents. Amazing guy!
Please be sure to send an email to mgsimcox@yahoo.com if you are interested in attending an LA area gathering. After we get a rough headcount, we will secure a location and date. It promises to be a ton of fun and if we can raise some money to keep sending out the film and repair crews that would be great.
Cheers,
Marianne Sunderland (Mom) for Zac
PS No position reports until he is a bit further along for security reasons.
posted by Zac at
10:12 PM
19 Comments:
Wow! Coco's Keeling sounds like tropical Heaven! For Zac's sake, I hope he DOES stop there for a couple of days at least.
Thanks for the update, Marianne!
Scott
The maps & photo are really small.
Thanks!!
Thanks Marianne,
Good to hear that Zac had a little puff to move him along; bet he can't wait to hit those trade winds!
Best wishes,
Anita
Waterloo, NY USA
There's nothing quite as frustrating as watching sails luff in a stale breeze, especially when it's hot and humid.
Keep hydrated Captain!
The Trades are coming, and soon you'll be cruising effortlessly. So keep your eye on the prize and do what needs to be done.
Thanks for the update, Marianne. Keeping my fingers crossed for smooth & safe sailing!
Hi There Zac,
Come on wind, Blow!! Your low windspeed sounds like Oklahoma in August and September when we have the least amount of wind all year. By now you are much more used to the changes in windspeed than those first few weeks in the Pacific. Fill your time with those things you don't have time to do when having to tend to the sails constantly.
For everyone... here is a cool addon I have found that makes the web a little more fun. If you are using IE Explorer, Firefox, or Safari browser, go to http://www.cooliris.com and download Cooliris. It is a 3D browser addin that makes looking at websites and especially photos and videos online almost like the iPhone. Once you have it downloaded and running, go to the search and enter Cocos Keeling. Tons of great photos and websites, I promise, you will enjoy it.
Blessings to the Captn, the Crew, and the Pac,
Bob in OKC
Hi Marianne,
Thanks for giving the Zacpac an update, albeit a miserable one. Hot, Bored and sitting idle. Zac will remember these days during his next storm.
Here is hoping for more wind!
Steve
Birmingham,AL
MA - thanks for the update! BLOW, WIND! BLOW!!
Zac - same as I said for Christmas Island - you must DIVE when you are there. TOO BEAUTIFUL!!
MA - I think you should DEFINITELY be the one to go visit Zac and take video and photos!
Way out in MN - so no visit to L.A. for me yet...Although, I am currently planning/hoping to be in L.A. for the big Welcome Home bash. :)
BLESSINGS from the mid-west.
L.A.
Way to go Zac! Hang in there, your doing great. I have followed your adventure from the start andf always look forward to your web site for updates. Cocos/Keeling..sounds like a cool place to me. Just in case any of your readers are interested there is another guy on his boat that in attempting to sail for 1000 days, non-stop and of course without setting foot on land during this time..kinda strange to me, but to each his own.I think his site is1000 days.net should anyone be interested. Good luck. Captron
thanks for the update MA!. i'm back after a few days away and let me tell ya --being unable to check in on zac was crazy - crazy. CK is incredible!. he MUST dive and hang out for a few days.
As always ---zac and the entire team sunderland remain in our prayers.
john baker/w hollywood/ca/USofA
jbaker1226@aol.com
Re: Joy on Journey
That was a terrible idea!!!
If Marianne goes, she will not come back.
She will send Zac back and let Zac and Laurence worry about getting the kids up and dressed, fed, driving them to the BARBER SHOP, going to the local food store, vacuuming the living room floor, getting less sleep than Zac does when he is sailing through a series of storms with 15 cargo ships around him and of course keeping the blog up to date.
So if Marianne does decide to go, I think we Zac-Packers would be within our rights to get a court order to be sure she returns. :-)
Bill Mann
South Pasadena
I wish we could figure out how to get you to Cocos Keeling, Marianne. If I had some cash, I'd try to help out. Can't we figure it out, somehow???
From Iowa
I think it would be wonderful for Marianne to join Zac in Coco's Keeling, after all it should be her turn. However I do agree with Bill Mann, "she must promise to return"!
Mona
Tucson, AZ
Awesome...thanks for the update. Wish I was meeting Zac in Cocos Keeling. It sounds just like paradise. Always in our thoughts and prayers...
Check your rations for canned beans, a few cans of those & there should be plenty of wind. ;-)
Here's a thought that maybe every reader & posters might try. It would of course require a small bit of sacrificing, but I think worth it in the long run. Try skipping your daily latte (or whatever beverage you purchase when out & about). Donate the amount you'd've spent to Capt Zac. All those $5-$8 add up! Or even skip the Friday/Saturday night out & donate what you would've spent to Capt Zac instead.
HUGS!
Tomi/ATL
Great idea Tomi.
As I have never been in a Starbucks in my life, I just sent the $10.00 bucks I saved to Zac.
It is not much but if every one who reads this blog did that every week, it would sure go a long way towards Zac's haircut.
Bill Mann
South Pasadena
Zac, I am a mom with an adventurous son, though he is not as adventourous as you. We have been following your progress and want to let you know we are praying for your well being and wish you success in your journey. I was amazed at your maturity, and good sense in the way you handled strange ship that approached you. Please take extra care in rounding the cape of Africa. May God speed.
PS cats are cool, I hope you find the perfect one.
Hopefully someone will be able to help me with this. I just found this blog after hearing about your trip on the news. I'm amazed and have started reading your blog from the beginning. I'm offline a lot and wanted to know if anyone knew how I could download the blog to read it offline (like on a plane, etc.)? Anyone have any idea?
Thanks and I am amazed by your accomplishment. - Kenny
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