Hurry Up and Wait
Latest Position: 11/27/08 0405Z 22 15.473S 55 25.660E
The winds have been painfully light all day and night yesterday. I did have about 10-15 knots when I left Port Louis but as soon as I passed the tip of Mauritius it died and has been shifting around continually. Therefore, I have been doing a lot of hand steering. Even so, it feels great to be at sea again. Crazy how you hurry to get out of port only to be becalmed for 2 days. The forecast calls for more wind in the next day or so - should be just enough to shoot me on my way to Africa. I am still not completely well and my ears are beginning to hurt. I haven't had an ear infection since I was about 2 years old! I'm trying to rest and focus on prepping the boat for heavy weather. Michelle from Grand Baie drove down to Port Louis before I left to deliver 2 car tires for a sea anchor. They were considered to be the best sea anchors ever made by everyone at the yacht club so I am glad to have a few. Seems easier to set up and deploy than my fancy cloth sea anchor with all of its ties and strings. Not much time for typing lately I'm afraid. We'll see what to day will bring...
Cheers,
Zac
The winds have been painfully light all day and night yesterday. I did have about 10-15 knots when I left Port Louis but as soon as I passed the tip of Mauritius it died and has been shifting around continually. Therefore, I have been doing a lot of hand steering. Even so, it feels great to be at sea again. Crazy how you hurry to get out of port only to be becalmed for 2 days. The forecast calls for more wind in the next day or so - should be just enough to shoot me on my way to Africa. I am still not completely well and my ears are beginning to hurt. I haven't had an ear infection since I was about 2 years old! I'm trying to rest and focus on prepping the boat for heavy weather. Michelle from Grand Baie drove down to Port Louis before I left to deliver 2 car tires for a sea anchor. They were considered to be the best sea anchors ever made by everyone at the yacht club so I am glad to have a few. Seems easier to set up and deploy than my fancy cloth sea anchor with all of its ties and strings. Not much time for typing lately I'm afraid. We'll see what to day will bring...
Cheers,
Zac
posted by Zac at
8:11 PM
39 Comments:
did you visit a doctor while at Maritius?? I'm hoping you have a supply of antibiotics, if so, start taking them! and start taking your temperature too... an ear infection is not fun - so be careful... I'm assuming you would have a fully stocked medical box!
Jenifer
Happy Thanksgiving, Zac!
And smooth sailing to SA (but not too slow, will send some wind ;-)
Good to hear, that you enjoy being out there again.
Sail on, but really take care of your health, especially your ears.
All the best,
RK
Awwww Zac, sorry to hear you're still unwell...My guess is that you still need loads of rest after recovering, and your tight schedule kinda makes it hard for you...
Thank you so much for keeping us up to date, but please, don't bother if you can use the time to rest, okay?
Hope you get back to normal soon :)
x
Hi Zac....so good to hear from you.
Not good to hear about ears. I am not sure if I will get into trouble from medically mined people for telling you this but....I have used olive oil to help my ears when they have been aching and i have nothing else.If you are extremely careful and you have oil...not engine oil!....put oil in a small teaspoon and heat with a lighter or match until it is just warm ( don't let it get at all hot whatever you do ).....then pour into your ear. Hopefully will soothe it. We never forget ear ache, do we...horrible stuff.
Glad that you have not been too taxed by the weather as it sounds like you aren't feeling 100%. Hope that the next day or two sees an improvement.Thinking of you and praying.
UK friend
Hello Zac!
Sorry to hear that your ears are starting to hurt, hopefully you have some meds on board!
Tires for a sea anchor, hummm crazy enough to work LOL!
Happy Thanksgiving late! It's 5:23 am here and I'm just starting to get some veggies chopped etc. but I wanted to check your blog first!
Hope the winds pick up to a comfortable speed to take you straight to Africa w/o any drama.
Fair winds young man.
Hugs and many blessings
Anita
Waterloo, NY
Captain SV "wombat"
I'm glad you've got light air while you continue to recuperate.
Over at Mike Perham's site, he reports having light air, too. His autopilot has gone out again, and he writes that he will probably stop in at Madeira to try to get it fixed.
He's using his backup autopilot now, but says it isn't as sophisticated -- just follows a compass heading and doesn't have the ability to respond to a change in wind direction.
Here's some obvious advice, that you don't really need, but . . . If you ever have to deploy your sea anchor, and I hope you don't, you'd want to make sure your boat couldn't back over the line or in any other way find a way to get the line tangled around your keel, rudder, or prop.
Would you drag this from aft, like trailing warps to slow your speed? Or would you deploy it from the bow to hunker down, using the sea anchor to keep your bow to the waves?
Wishing you all the best on your voyage.
-- Grant Fjermedal, Seattle
can you explain what a sea anchor is and why you need it? why do tires make the best ones?
I never heard of using tires as a sea anchor, it would be nice to see how you rig them
I am thinking of you this morning, Zac...it is Thanksgiving Day and I said a prayer of blessing and thanks for you and your adventure...and especially for your ears and returned health and safety. A prayer will be said again for you at the dinner table today as we sit in comfort with plenty...thinking of brave you out there alone. May God be your constant companion today and everyday. Bless you Zac! A friend from Nebraska
Zac, I and my family are wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you get your winds, but just how do you use tires as a sea anchor? Praying for you, Marc
HI ZAC & Zac Packer’s
Realmente disfruto mucho tu blog, aunque reconozco que no estoy muy activo escribiendo en el, perdón por ello. Tratare de ponerme al día.
Pero más allá de ello, sigo leyéndolo diariamente.
Lo mejor para vos en este nuevo tramo de tu viaje…
I really enjoy reading your blog, and the same time I recognize that I not so active that I was before. Sorry for that… I´m going to try to put on day…
Furthermore from that, steel reading it…
I wish you the best for you in your new leg…
Glen
Buenos Aires
Argentina
I hope you don't get an ear infection. I also hope that you get some wind soon.
Happy Birthday and a Happy Thanksgiving. Wish you a save trip to Durban. Hope the wind situation will change in your favour soon.
Axel
heye@madisoncounty.net
P.S.
Mike is thinking about a stop in Madeira to fix his Auto Pilot
Zac,
Sort of melancholy but I wanted to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. It's 9:30 ayem here in Massachusetts, and we're all getting ready for today's celebration.
I know you realized that days and moments like this would happen in your quest, yet I am sure it's hard on you and your family that you can't share it.
Yet it is also moments like these that make one realize just how lucky, and grateful we should be to be able to gather together in celebration.
We'll be thinking and praying for you, for safety, good weather, and a quick leg to Africa.
We need to be thankful for our freedoms, and privileges. We need to think about those who can't be home for any number of reasons, and be grateful we live where and when we do.
Warmest thoughts for you today and always. Happy Thanksgiving, Zac
Interesting, tires... Well, glad to hear you have a cloth one also, yes, they are a pain, I practiced several times with mine in 20-25kts to make sure I could sucessfully deploy it.
Just make sure you use chain for securing the tires and have the bow-line connected to a shackle. Good luck, may you not need any safety equipment right!?!?!
Looks like you'll get some winds in 24hours, then it lighten ups again in 5 days for a day...
Be safe.....
Dave & Skipper
Oh, nasty - ear infections are horrible. Do you have any antibiotics/treatment with you?
Praying for wind,
Jessica from Canada
Zac, as we here in the US are celebrating Thanksgiving, many of us will have thoughts of you!! We are all thankful for many things this year but you are very high on the list. You continue to give us all an amazing journey through your eyes and words!!
Take care and God speed!!!
So thankful for your post, Zac! Worried about your health -- do you have antibiotics on board for the earache?? Calm seas, although frustrating, will hopefully provide the rest you need to complete your recovery.
Tire anchor sounds very cool -- don't you just love simple solutions? Best wishes for a peaceful, night! Praying for you, your family, fellow ZacPackers and our crazy, wonderful world on this Thanksgiving Day '08! CindyinCincy
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy 17th Birthday, from the travelling Lees!
dwlee3 & family
HAPPY THANKSGIVING ZAC !! You probably won't be eating turkey but whatever you do eat I am sure you are thankful for. May you continue to be safe on your journey.
Zac-
Good morning. Looks like calm seas where you are. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
In Alaska it's still dark and I'm at work ---announcing on KMXT-FM. Wish we could all magically send you a plate of Turkey and gravy. Hope the winds pick up for ya. Sail on, dude!
Kodiak Mike
Yes, Happy Thanksgiving and happy birthday coming up as well. I'm guessing this will be the first time you've celebrated both alone. If anything, besides the melancholy feeling, you also feel a little more grown up for some reason. When I worked at a ski resort for 4 years, they were the first four years I had ever been away from my family at Christmas. I worked all day and served others who were enjoying a ski vacation for THEIR Christmas. It's hard thinking of your family gathering without you, but like I say, somehow it gives you an odd sense of maturity you've never felt before.
You don't have much opportunity to do something for someone else out there, but if you're landside on Christmas, do something to make someone else's Christmas better. You'll always remember it.
Look after your ears....if they hurt you lose your equilibrium and your sanity.
Roll on!
Scot
California
Hi Zac!
long time hadnt been heree.
get well soon..^^and get the meds.
til nxt tme,
mel xxx
If you have to go so slowly, maybe in the absence of Turkey, you can pick up road kill. JK
-Charlie
Happy Birthday and have a great Thanksgiving.
You might have plugged‘Eustachian’ tubes (the tube that comes from the back of your throat and connects to your middle ear), probably from your cold. I used to get that problem once in awhile back in my diving days, usually it was left over from a cold. If I didn't have any medicine to help dry make the mucus drain, I would stretch my neck on the side that bothered me, then yawn and message the side of my neck where the tube is. In time the tube would drain, and the pressure causing the pain would go away.
Tires huh. I wonder how well they work?
Zac-
I'm sorry to hear about your aching ears. I'm hoping that you have some antibiotics in your first aid kit. If you feel feverish, best to start the meds if you have them.
I hope you had a special dinner of some sort to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgivings to all the Sunderlands and my fellow bloggers near and far! Now, will somebody please pass the stuffing?
Zac,
We also would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! Praying you have a good satellite phone connection to speak with your family, desirable winds, and physical healing!
Antibiotics and ears -- depends on the type of antibiotic you have in your med kit as to whether it will be effective for earache (Zithromax? Amoxycillin? etc.).
The warm olive oil anon mentioned is especially good if you can squeeze a little garlic oil into it (garlic is a natural antibiotic). The other thing you can try if your ears are plugged (airlines used to do this for babies/kids, but quit due to liability issues) -- hot cups. Using two styrofoam cups, put a paper towel or a piece of clean cloth inside one, pour in boiling water and SQUEEZE OUT (so it doesn't drip out and burn you), put the other cup inside the first trapping the hot towel/cloth. Best if you can make a set for each ear, but you can just make one and alternate ears. Then place the open end of the cup set over your ears making a suction.
Just recalling a Mayflower story about two brothers. Evidently, they were regular terrors. During the voyage they were caught in a hold playing with fire near the gunpowder kegs. It was a wonder they didn't blow up the ship! There's your random Thanksgiving story for today :0)
Blessings!
Gayle, Brian, Xan, Riley, Jesse
Hey Zac,
I'm so sorry you are still not feeling well! Do you have antibiotics on board? Hope you feel better soon!
Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Birthday!
Hope the winds pick up and that you have smooth sailing to Africa.
You are in our prayers.
Blessings,
Jennifer and Ben
Sherman Oaks, CA
A joyous thanksgiving to you, Zac!
Cheers!
Now, for a science/health lesson:
As JiffyLube posted earlier, indeed, painful ears may be caused by Eustachian Tube Dysfunction. In the medical world we abbreviate this ETD.
Painful ears can also be caused by a number of other things, including referred pain from a sinus infection.
A heating pad or warm compress on the area can help, and warm oil in the ear is an old remedy which can be soothing.
However, if you have a history of a hole in either of your eardrums, do not put anything in your ears, as such may cause significant pain.
I will agree with the rest of the posters to begin some antibiotics if you have them on hand, stay hydrated, and keep up with your rest. Finish the whole course of antibiotics, even if you begin to feel better, and try to take them consistently, on time.
An actual ear infection may be marked by fever, or not, and would definitely be marked by a sensation of a change in your hearing. Let us know how you are doing!
I will be praying that your immune system kicks in hard and aids in your recovery quickly.
You continue to be an inspiration to me. God speed! Safety first!
Carol Johnson
Dallas, Georgia
Zac, The Sunderland Brood, and all the Zac Pac, A Joyous Thanksgiving to all.
Zac, I hope you have the freeze dried turkey and all the trimmings. If not, I will put a dish in the freezer and keep it for you. Well ham anyhow as I did not make a turkey this year. My kids wanted ham. Could not find a kosher ham so hopefully He will forgive me. The kids don't care because they are not Jewish.
What with the holiday and all, the auction will start this coming Monday, December 1st.
Cheers to all.
Bill Mann
bill@barstools4u.com
Hi Zac!
Happy Thanksgiving! I am so sorry to hear about your ears...
but here's my HOW-TO-CURE-AN-EARACHE-TIP:
(I think you said you had a microwave on board) Take a rag and get it wet then heat the rag up in the microwave. Put the warm (or hot) rag in a cup and hold it to your ear until it stops hurting!
I had ear aches all the time when I was little and this always helped.
I think you are amazing for what you are doing, I am just a bit younger than you and recently moved away from Thousand Oaks! I lived there previously for four years and went to some of the sailing camps at Westlake Yacht club. Did you ever do any of those, or were you focusing on larger boats?
I currently sail a 14ft lazer and my parents have a Pierson Enson (22ft) we did have a 30ft Islander on the Hudson for a few years though so I TOTALLY understand about the engine problems!
Good luck on this run, stay safe and Happy Birthday in advance!
Try the microwave thing, it might work, and I'll pray for wind for ya!
-Halle S.
I'm not feeling well either bud. STILL!!
But hope you do get better and stay safe. We'll keep you in our prayers and we all love you. Keep it up.
Oh yeah happy Thanksgiving.
With Thanksgiving gone all we can do now is wait for Christmas. So about 28 days til Christmas.
~Whitten
Hey Zac,
Well, at least the winds haven't been "painfully" heavy. All of us would rather have you waiting for stronger winds then battling the seemingly inevitable storms-to-come. Just get home safely. And get better. It is DEFINITELY no fun being sick, especially on the water... :P
We love and miss you Zac,
EmilyAnne
Fayetteville, NC
Dear Zac, Sunderlands and Zac Pac,
Happy Thanksgiving !! Let me say Thank You Zac for including all of us on your world adventure via this blog. I know that I speak for the entire Zac Pac in feeling thankful for all the gifts you give to us armchair sailors. (The gift of travel !).
I look forward to checking your blog everyday and really a feel that we do play a part in supporting you and your family.
I'll be very happy for you when it all ends, but sad for the rest of us. Maybe after that we can all meet at an annual Zac convention or something (tee-hee).
Happy Thanksgiving to All !!
Maureen
Boise
Hello Zac and Zac Packers:
Saw the several questions about 'sea anchors'. It does seem like an oxymoron to those who don't know, so as I read on I thought that if Daveh doesn't chime in, I might be able to handle that one. Well, old Daveh was on board and handled it perfectly. He is a real boon to this blog and I'm sure all join me in thanking his for sharing his expertise on all things nautical. Thanks, Daveh!
@Zac: They say that your ears feel hot when someone is thinking and talking about you. Could that explain anything? You may have seen no one on Thanksgiving, but you joined many people in a special way and your ears must be about burning off. We have nothing to do with the ache!
My family shared the traditional feast with the extended family and there were about 30 present. We had just about everything ever associated with this most special and American holiday. During the blessing of our bounty, everyone of all ages was asked to mention the things for which they were especially thankful this year. Mine special thanks began with good health, happiness, our family as gathered and absent, and I included Thanks for the safety and success of Zac Sunderland on making it half way around the world and prayed for his continued safety and success on the way home. Later came the obvious question, "Who in the world is Zac Sunderland?" I answered that he's a bold and adventurous young man who is ...." so you will likely pick up several more Zac Packers. I'll admit that the younger ones (5 to 8) were hardly impressed, but those from 13 - 18 listened to my "Saga of Zac Sunderland and the Mighty Intrepid" with awe! I did not even need to embellish. You came off better that the "Little Train that Could" and don't tell me you don't know that one!
You also had some very good food. I dedicated my 2nds and 3rds and dessert to you. Hope you like cranberry sauce (homemade with whole berries) with your turkey and dressing (cornbread type) and whipped cream on your pumpkin pie. I did the pecan pie neat.
Here's to aural health and a safe passage to the next port-of-call.
Happy Thanksgiving,
The Croaker
Apologies for posting as anonymous; however, I consistently have trouble getting Google to accept my password. I appreciate knowing whom I am reading without having to scroll down. For some reason it decided to accept the passowrd this time.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!
The Croaker
Hi, Zac. Sorry to hear about the developing ear problem. If you don't have any antibiotics, do you at least have antihistimines to help clear your sinuses and relieve the pressure to your middle ear. These would be like Tavis D, Claritin or Zyrtec. If so, start taking them now. You only need one a day. DO NOT TAKE MORE THAN ONE.
Anyway, maybe it's good that you're in a little bit of a lull. You can try to get yourself healed before the difficult part starts.
Hoping for the best, Zac!
Scott
:)
Hello Zac & The Pac,
Hopefully you have some antibiotics on board for that ear ache.
I have never heard of using car tires as a sea anchor but I'm sure it could work. Sometimes here in America we have solutions for many different boating problems that money can buy. I'm sure on many Islands they come up with all different kinds of idea's to solve many marine problems. They don't have the luxury of having a West Marine store anywhere around. Everyone else must get creative to solve different problems. Please practice deployment just in case you need to use this new high tech devise!!!
@ Glen, it's good to hear from you again. Long time no see.
Sail On,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
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