On to Cape Town
Just a quick update from Mom...
Zac has pulled out of Mossel Bay and is headed west on what we hope will be his final leg around the Cape of Good Hope. His night of rest was interrupted by 40 knots of wind about 4:00am that came screaming through the bay. It was a good test of his anchoring skills for sure! Everyboody needs to get an UltraAnchor!
He met up with the other boats that he left Port Elizabeth with while at the fuel dock inside the harbor. Somehow they had been routed inside the harbor while Zac had been routed to the Yacht Club anchorage outside the harbor.
They have opted not to head out at this time but after triple checking the forecast and checking with his advisers, Zac has decided to go for it.
So for those of you who pray - please do!
All being well, he should be in Cape Town some time on Sunday.
He'll be checking in through out the day. I'll update with any news.
Cheers,
Marianne
Zac has pulled out of Mossel Bay and is headed west on what we hope will be his final leg around the Cape of Good Hope. His night of rest was interrupted by 40 knots of wind about 4:00am that came screaming through the bay. It was a good test of his anchoring skills for sure! Everyboody needs to get an UltraAnchor!
He met up with the other boats that he left Port Elizabeth with while at the fuel dock inside the harbor. Somehow they had been routed inside the harbor while Zac had been routed to the Yacht Club anchorage outside the harbor.
They have opted not to head out at this time but after triple checking the forecast and checking with his advisers, Zac has decided to go for it.
So for those of you who pray - please do!
All being well, he should be in Cape Town some time on Sunday.
He'll be checking in through out the day. I'll update with any news.
Cheers,
Marianne
posted by Zac at
9:54 AM
26 Comments:
I'm on my knees !!!! And in the Word for encouragement found there. God goes before you Zac. It must be so hard for you, Marianne, and Laurence and the other brothers and sisters when these most challenging legs are upon you. You will be covered in prayer and I do hope you find the peace in that.
Much love and prayer for you all,'
Kathy
Bend, OR
I just learned that the Cape of Good Hope is not the southern tip of Africa and the dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. That is Cape Aguhlas. Thanks go to wikipedia. I guess that makes two important Capes for Zac on this leg.
Fair winds to you Zac and safe sailing into Cape Town.
And thanks for updating the Zac Pac Marianne
All the best,
RK
Marianne,
Thanks for the update.
Prayers to Zac for a safe passage!
Mona
Tucson, AZ
Holding my breath and keeping Zac in my prayers for this last leg around the Cape of Good Hope goes as smoothly as the previous legs… I look so forward to reading of the reunion of Zac and Lawrence in Cape Town! Zac – you are amazing! Thank you as always, Marianne, for keeping us updated… Peace, Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher
Any updates on radio communications for this part of his voyage?
Best wishes and make it home safely.
Bob
Canterbury, CT
Luckily the very bad weather of today along the coast is moving away from Zac.
He has good advisors. Wind will not blow in his favour but at least the strong winds are gone for now....
Go Zac !
for all Zacpackers !
here you have a map of the Cape.
paste and copy in your browser
http://cybercapetown.com/Maps/WesternCape/index.php
Hi There Zac,
Going for it! Sounds so appropriate and American. We are proud of your adventuring spirit and keeping the prayer line open. Taking a look a UGRIB it looks like a good opportunity to make the move. Sounds like your restful night was anything but. Another life lesson on how the right anchor holds fast! We will be anxious to hear you are safe in port with the worst all behind you!
Give our best to your Dad, and Marianne you are doing an awesome job keeping us informed and the home fires burning!!
Blessings,
Bob in OKC
Okay, for those interested in the details behind this final leg around Southern Africa to Cape Town, here’s the details
(I’m using Nobeltec Nav Software and the Ugrib wind application)
The leg from Mossel Bay to the Southernmost tip of S. Africa is approx 155nm.
The leg from the Southernmost tip of S. Africa around to Cape Town is approx 110nm
Today is Thursday, assuming Zac left this AM (our time), and the wind forecast for today through tomorrow AM are a brisk 25 to 35kts out of the SW for the first 1-10 hours, then drop to 10-15kts about tonight, and remain light and southerly (a good thing) until Saturday when they are forecasted to turn generally easterly to southeasterly at 15kts, then Sat night / Sunday AM Southerly at 15 to 20kts…
As long as the winds aren’t to “easterly” and too “light”, Zac should have a rare and nice leg around the Southernmost Point of S. Africa, which would be GREAT……..
Daveh & Skipper
dave@davehickson.com
Show em how its done Zac!!! Can't wait to hear sbout it Sunday!!
Stay Safe
Laura
Bermuda Dunes
Thanks Marianne, for the update...Zac we're sending you prayers enough to fill your sails for a safe trip over to Cape Town....and with your dad. Wahoo! we're back on the saddle again!!!!! Go Zac, Go!!!!
Betty E. Lomita, CA
@Daveh, thanks for the weather info.
Hoping for the best, Zac! Anybody know Mother Nature's cell phone number????????????
Scott
:)
Here we go again...excitement and some anxiousness, blended with all the prayers and good thoughts coming Zac's way....makes for a nail biting few days.
Marianne, thank you for thinking of us all and for being so prompt with the news.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all the family back home and Laurence as he awaits his son in Cape Town.
Thanks to Daveh and Willvp for your helpful information.
Don't you just love this Zacpac family!
UK friend
Hi! I just heard about this from my friend, so this is my first time on the website. I love that you are living your dream Zac. Isnt it great to be homeschooled? :) Ive definitely enjoyed it. Anyway, stay safe and God bless you in all your adventures! I'll keep you in my prayers.
Mollie
Atl, GA
God speed.....and God protect our adventurer.
On to Cape Town.
Hi Marianne,
Thanks for the update. Rounding the cape is a milestone on this adventure and I think everyone, especially Zac, is ready for it.
We do pray and we are praying to a safe and swift passage to Capetown, to Laurence, and a happy reunion. I'm sure both can use the time together.
I've come to the conclusion that God is a Zac-Packer. He has certainly beamed good fortune on Zac so far. Maybe it has something to do with the prayers. We;ll try to keep His attention!
@daveh: Glad you're still with us. Thanks for the explanation. We're going to dub you the "Official Clarifier".
The Croaker
Sorry about posting as Anonymous, but Google can't seem to remember my password.
Hey Zac,
I will be thinking about your challenging journey around the Cape of Good Hope as you sail to Cape Town.
Thanks to Marianne for the updates when Zac rushes out of ports as weather windows open up!
By watching these two amazing young adventurous sailors on Google Earth, it looks like if Mike pulls into Cape Town also, they should be there at about the same time! Perhaps the earlier troubles Mike had with his auto-pilot is another 'serendipity.' A 'happy accident' (?) brought about by divine intervention.
Best of luck; yet, what's 'luck' got to do with it. It's all you Zac; yet you are not really alone.
Will there be an address for St. Helena miss Marianne?
Nagaa~~Peace
ROCK N' ROLL Zac!!
Based upon my studies of current & 3 day forecast conditions, Capt Zac should do just fine. May have some "slightly" rough seas, but they should deminish the further west he goes - at least until Mon night/Tues & I'm sure hoping he's made Cape Town by then!!
Am glad he left when he did! While the seas may be somewhat rough, being stuck in port w/a building cyclone can't be fun for even the biggest ships :(
The 3 models I've looked at appear to bring him into Cape Town before Sat, afternoon (latest) if he's running into "confused" seas again (possible now, but should lessen during w/e, but sure to increase starting Monday & worsen thru Tues/Wed - our Capt's time). The models I've viewed show things to be much improved on the SW side of SA by Sat. He'll want to remain in port come mid-week (models I view don't forecast beyond 5-7 days) - tho' it looks like a SW Atlantic storm may "breeze" by come next Wed/Thurs - tho' a lot depends upon uppper air currents (not Southern Jet Stream - it's pretty consistant at this point if moving eastward w/it's northward bow/dip). If I'm reading things correctly (& stating again, I'm not in the weather profession - just a 30+ yr amateur), Capt Zac should have an enjoyable 3Rs in Capt Town. I don't see him leaving before end of next week - then again - I'm guessing he'll be makeing sure the 3Rs are most assuredly fully completed before this next leg into the S Atlantic doldrums.
Warm Fuzzy HUGS!
Tomi/ATL
I am a prayer and Zac is in my prayers. Diane
PS - Rory wasn't kidding when he said Rock-n-roll..., you'll survive the ride Capt (am trusting your skills learned to this point w/many prayers to keep y'all safe). just make sure to batten down the hatches for the next day or so.
Bear Warming HUGS!
Tomi/ATL
Well, here we go again! Thanks to all those with expertise in wind/weather/currents for your informational posts.
That combined with the prayer section of the choir, it seems that Zac is well covered. The rest is up to him, and judging from past experience, he certainly has the "right stuff."
@ Anita: thought you'd find this funny...my word verification word for this post is "prophy." Something Zac is definitely due for .... :)
Marianne
Thanks for the update, as usual my prayers for Zacs safety. As a mother my heart goes out to you as you hold your breath on this leg. Cant wait to hear that he has met up with Laurence and enjoying beautiful Capetown.
@Daveh
Thanks for the clarification, you have allowed me to breathe a little better.
@All Zac-Packers - Please send a special shout out to "ÿou know who"
requesting that Zac be safe on this leg
Love and Prayers
Sherna
Zac will make it to Cape Town in one piece.
I went down to my 'local' watering hole and told the barman I would like an UltraAnchor. He didn't know how to make it. I told him it will allow me to withstand 40 m.p.h. winds on my nose at 4 a.m.
Low and behold we came up with a pint of hard lemonade with 2 shots of Rebel Yell (Keith Richards whiskey choice)It wasn't bad! It will put hair on your chest! Additionally it can be used as paint stripper.
((How's that for multi-tasking!))
Marianne thank you for the good words about the Ultra Anchor. We knew Zac could depend on it. To Rory, The place to get an Ultra Anchor in the US is www.quickline.us or if in Singapore try www.utlraanchors.com. or www.fbyachting.it in Italy or www.boyutmarine.com in Istanbul. I will ask my Barman to make me an UltraAnchor paint stripper this evening.
Best of luck Zac from Zac-Packer Randy Boelsems - Quickline USA
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