Getting in the Groove
Latest Position: 03/30/09 1421Z 14 04.961S 008 51.178W
All is well here with a steady 12 knots apparent running dead-down-wind with the sails set wing-on-wing. The swell is pretty small so I'm loving it and making good time as well.
I spent time today stowing and reorganizing my things which is kind of a daily job out here. I've been working on my book and have a few chapters finished already. I am also trying to get my email up and running. I am missing a new cable that dad brought me in Cape Town. I know it is here somewhere... therefore the stowing and reorganizing.
I was disappointed to hear of Natasza's autopilot problem. My mom is trying to reach her via email to see what the problem is and if hooking up somehow could be helpful. She is headed to Brazil though and should be on a different course.
Meteorologist, David Morris, is keeping an eye in the ITCZ, Inter tropical Convergence Zone, to find the narrowest place for me to cross this crazy area. This is the area near the equator, from about 5° north and 5° south, where the northeast trade winds and southeast trade winds converge in a low pressure zone. It is constantly changing position. The sun is so intense here that there is hardly any wind to move the boat - it just goes straight up! It rains a lot and is constantly hot and humid. Not a place you want to spend a lot of time on a sailboat In fact, sailors call the area the doldrums.
When I crossed the equator last time in the Pacific I was sailing along at 7 knots in a full on squall. That was definitely better than being becalmed for days or weeks.
I've seen a few ships today all of them heading south.
Getting back into the groove and feeling pretty good today.
Cheers,
Zac
All is well here with a steady 12 knots apparent running dead-down-wind with the sails set wing-on-wing. The swell is pretty small so I'm loving it and making good time as well.
I spent time today stowing and reorganizing my things which is kind of a daily job out here. I've been working on my book and have a few chapters finished already. I am also trying to get my email up and running. I am missing a new cable that dad brought me in Cape Town. I know it is here somewhere... therefore the stowing and reorganizing.
I was disappointed to hear of Natasza's autopilot problem. My mom is trying to reach her via email to see what the problem is and if hooking up somehow could be helpful. She is headed to Brazil though and should be on a different course.
Meteorologist, David Morris, is keeping an eye in the ITCZ, Inter tropical Convergence Zone, to find the narrowest place for me to cross this crazy area. This is the area near the equator, from about 5° north and 5° south, where the northeast trade winds and southeast trade winds converge in a low pressure zone. It is constantly changing position. The sun is so intense here that there is hardly any wind to move the boat - it just goes straight up! It rains a lot and is constantly hot and humid. Not a place you want to spend a lot of time on a sailboat In fact, sailors call the area the doldrums.
When I crossed the equator last time in the Pacific I was sailing along at 7 knots in a full on squall. That was definitely better than being becalmed for days or weeks.
I've seen a few ships today all of them heading south.
Getting back into the groove and feeling pretty good today.
Cheers,
Zac
posted by Zac at
7:12 PM
17 Comments:
So glad to hear from you again. We have really missed your daily blogs. It is so comforting to hear how caring the people you meet are. You are an amazing young man and are so blessed to have such giving new friends in your life. You are truly blessed and it is obvious God is watching out for you. As always, you are in our hearts and prayers.
I can't wait to read your book.
Zac:
Your posts of the 29th and 30th were both good reads with great content. From the 29th, your comments on the friends in St. Helena was heart-warming. Man, are you going to have a humongous Christmas card list! The post of the 30th gives us a good feeling that things are off to a pretty good start of this Atlantic leg.
I get frustrated when someone comes up with the 'perfect word' for which I have been squeezing my brain and it won't come forth. Fellow, sometimes I read your posts and get all anxious and a bit nervous and just stare at my computer. Other times, all good warm, and fuzzy evidenced by a big grin. Then there are those times when my eyes get all warm and misty. Some one used the word in yesterdays entries. It is so obvious. It is INTENSE! As in, "It's amazing how intensely one can share your adventure just sitting where ever one is and has internet access." Could we handle the 'intensity' of the trials and triumphs if we were actually crew.
Praying for you and the Good Ship, Intrepid. Hope the last reported conditions hold out to Grenada!
Intensely,
The Croaker
Zac, I see you as a wonderful ambassador representing our country to the entire world. I can't wait for your book. I live about 300 miles away but will try to be at your homecoming.
By the way, have you considered twitted? It might be an east way for quick updates.
On the 'road' again! I must be SUCH a relief after the forced stay at St. Helena, as wonderful as your friends were - as always.
I have not posted in a long time, but have been following your progress every day as so many hundreds (thousands?.... millions??) of people are.
I've been thinking it would be so great to fly to the West Coast to see you into port.... we'll have to see how the timing works out. I want to add my thanks to everyone who has been helping and supporting you in this adventure of a lifetime.... it shows how much can be accomplished when people work together with good will, and we certainly need to remember that during these difficult times.
Sail on! Best of luck to you!!!
Hello Zac,
It's great to hear from you again. I'm glad you're inside Intrepid sailing and getting that groove back on.
Work on that book as much as you can. The memories you have now are much better than what you'll remember after you get back and time passes.
I hope you have good winds and make great time.
Sail On,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
Hi Zac!
Glad to hear from you and that all is well.
Blessings as you hrad to your next port!
Hugs,
Anita
Waterloo, NY
Hay Zac, had some people come up to me last weekend to ask when you will be back in Cape Town.You made some HOT frends here that for sure.
Keep well mate and sail fast.
Erik Bjerring,
Cape Town
The sat no, on the english contact page is missing the last digit (1), should work via the gateway from here:
http://www.nataszacaban.com/Kontakt.html
As for becoming becalmed or going no where while in the doldrum, perhaps time to brush up in the fishing skills. Couldn't possibly image doing this round the world trip -- all over all the waters of the world -- coming back empty handy in the fishing dept. In later life buddies wouldn't even dream of asking you to go fishing with them in a lake or even a river if you can't catch one miserable fishy out there all this time :-)
So glad things are settling in Zac. Will pray that you find that path no matter how small. I am so looking forward to your book. Writing is such a good way to take a look at things. Have a good time with that as you head for home. Stay safe.
All of my best,
Kathy
Bend, OR
Zac,
Great to hear that you are "Getting in the Grove" again. Along with all of the rest of the Zac Pac, I can't wait to read the book either.
Sail Safe.
Mona
Tucson, AZ
You're awesome. Can't imagine all the beautiful things you're seeing. :)
Hey Zac, glad to hear your out on the ocean again. Keep up with the blogging, its nice to stay updated and not chewing finger nails down from suspense! haha Not that actually do that! I was wondering, have you reaad "Kon-Tiki" by Thor Heyerdahl? I'm reading a section(well summary) in school and its pretty cool. Its about Thor and his friends proving that the people in Peru could have settled the polynesian islands way back when in their little rafts.
If you havent read it, I think you might enjoy it!
Well safe travels and God bless!
Rebecca Z
Great update, Zac. The calm and determination in your "voice" really comes through in today's blog. So great to hear you are working on your book - I'm an avid reader, and will buy yours the first chance I get!
@ Croaker - perfect word indeed, intense!
Peace, Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher
Fabulous news that you are getting in the groove...you sound really contented and that's reassuring. Keep up the excellent work...we're all with you.
UK friend
Good to hear you're underway again! Also exciting to hear about work on the book. :) Hope all goes well.
Praying for you daily.
~Jessica from Alberta, Canada
'Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.' - Joshua 1:9
You are so brave and just the perfect adventurer. I am 16 and I have always dreamed of sailing around the world. When I read an article about you I thought wow, he is a brave soul. That would take guts to travel the beautiful and unpredictable ocean all alone. You have a lot of courage, and you will feel glory, I'm sure.
u r amazing,
lyddie
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