Pressing On
Latest Position: 04/10/09 2251Z 2 49.025S 25 44.585W (Updated - originally posted wrong!)
From Mom:
Finally got the view of Zac's weather converted to jpg format thanks to Linda at Clearpoint Weather. I love this view because it is what you would expect at the equator in the convergence zone. This view is changing constantly and is filled with green (12-15 knots) for the most part today. White/light blue is very light to no wind. Yellow is 15-19 knots. Arrows point the direction that the wind is blowing. This frame just shows the wind forecast. Clearpoint is able to show many other aspects like wave height, current, lightning, cloud cover, water temp and air temp.
From Zac:
I have had a lot of squalls again today. I'm either sailing along at between 6-7 knots or ghosting along at 3 knots with barely a zephyr to nudge me along. The days pass by quickly. I get to night time and I'm thinking everyday, "Wow, today went by fast." Everyday.
My teeth have not given me any trouble today. They aren't infected at least for now and I have a good supply of antibiotics to see me through until Grenada. I'll try to hold off on any surgery until I get back to Cali in June sometime.
It is hot, hot, hot all day and all night.
We still don't have an address in Grenada. Mom is arranging things there and has not confirmed anything yet.
Questions for today:
What will you do when you cross the equator?
I don't know yet. My first crossing in the Pacific was in the middle of the night and in the middle of a squall so I wasn't able to do much besides a quick thanks to God and Neptune.
Mrs. Libby's 6th grade class asked what food I am most looking forward to when I get back/
Right now I am really missing Mexican food. I could really go for a carne asada burrito from Baja Fresh right now!
There have been a few comments about my fishing or lack of fishing.
I have been fishing on and off. I will not, however, be the youngest person to circle the globe without catching a fish. I caught an nice fat tuna a while back. I got it on film as well so Pete Thomas at the LA Times doesn't write another article about my fishing 'record'!
Do you have your crew for the Panama Canal?
No. The Panama Canal Authority will assign a 'captain' for Intrepid. I will also need 4 line handlers who will be on land handling lines. You can hire people to do this or usually cruisers help each other out. I would like to be a line handler for another boat before I head through with Intrepid so I can know what to expect.
Can I chat with Natasza Caban on the high frequency radio?
We never did set up a frequency to meet on. Normally, when using the HF radio you have to arrange a frequency to meet on. There are so many frequencies you would never find each other otherwise. The short range marine radio, the VHF, has one hailing channel that all boats call on before deciding on another channel to meet up at. The range on this radio is probably about 12 miles so you really need to be pretty close to talk. I have not been using the HF radio much since the Indian Ocean. I'll have to get hooked up to a Caribbean Net soon.
Cheers,
Zac
From Mom:
Finally got the view of Zac's weather converted to jpg format thanks to Linda at Clearpoint Weather. I love this view because it is what you would expect at the equator in the convergence zone. This view is changing constantly and is filled with green (12-15 knots) for the most part today. White/light blue is very light to no wind. Yellow is 15-19 knots. Arrows point the direction that the wind is blowing. This frame just shows the wind forecast. Clearpoint is able to show many other aspects like wave height, current, lightning, cloud cover, water temp and air temp.
From Zac:
I have had a lot of squalls again today. I'm either sailing along at between 6-7 knots or ghosting along at 3 knots with barely a zephyr to nudge me along. The days pass by quickly. I get to night time and I'm thinking everyday, "Wow, today went by fast." Everyday.
My teeth have not given me any trouble today. They aren't infected at least for now and I have a good supply of antibiotics to see me through until Grenada. I'll try to hold off on any surgery until I get back to Cali in June sometime.
It is hot, hot, hot all day and all night.
We still don't have an address in Grenada. Mom is arranging things there and has not confirmed anything yet.
Questions for today:
What will you do when you cross the equator?
I don't know yet. My first crossing in the Pacific was in the middle of the night and in the middle of a squall so I wasn't able to do much besides a quick thanks to God and Neptune.
Mrs. Libby's 6th grade class asked what food I am most looking forward to when I get back/
Right now I am really missing Mexican food. I could really go for a carne asada burrito from Baja Fresh right now!
There have been a few comments about my fishing or lack of fishing.
I have been fishing on and off. I will not, however, be the youngest person to circle the globe without catching a fish. I caught an nice fat tuna a while back. I got it on film as well so Pete Thomas at the LA Times doesn't write another article about my fishing 'record'!
Do you have your crew for the Panama Canal?
No. The Panama Canal Authority will assign a 'captain' for Intrepid. I will also need 4 line handlers who will be on land handling lines. You can hire people to do this or usually cruisers help each other out. I would like to be a line handler for another boat before I head through with Intrepid so I can know what to expect.
Can I chat with Natasza Caban on the high frequency radio?
We never did set up a frequency to meet on. Normally, when using the HF radio you have to arrange a frequency to meet on. There are so many frequencies you would never find each other otherwise. The short range marine radio, the VHF, has one hailing channel that all boats call on before deciding on another channel to meet up at. The range on this radio is probably about 12 miles so you really need to be pretty close to talk. I have not been using the HF radio much since the Indian Ocean. I'll have to get hooked up to a Caribbean Net soon.
Cheers,
Zac
posted by Zac at
7:28 PM
15 Comments:
Wishing you a wonderful Good Friday Zac. Take care. Diane
I'm really enjoying the Q & A portion of your blog. It really gives great insight into your thoughts and activities while at sea.
I'm also glad to hear that your third molars are behaving for the time being and that you have the antibiotics that you need, if necessary, on board. I had a nice chat with your mom last evening and I think it's possible for you to hold off on the oral surgery until you get back. I'm keepin' my fingers crossed "X"!
I'm especially happy to hear that the days are going by quickly for you. Sail safe!
Been following your trip from day 1. Wishing you good winds and a safe passage to Panama. Can't wait to hear you're back in California!
Sincerely,
Rachel Fischer Gladson
Ahoy Zac!
I really enjoy your Q & A, makes for good reading. As others have said, can't wait for the book!!! I'll take mine autographed please :)...LOL!!
I'm sure you have mixed emotions as you head home. It's been such an amazing adventure thus far! I know it has been for me and I'm in a nice comfy chair in front of a computer in a house surrounded by land with no pitching and rolling!!!!
3 knots is no fun but better than zero, I bet it is hot....the bob and bake is for sure not a good time.
So happy to hear the days pass quickly AND that your teeth have settled down a bit, you'll be happy once you're home and can have that issue resolved.
Following along and cheering you on, as you head home.
God's angels are about you, be sure to be still and listen, He is with you always.
Hugs
Anita
Waterloo, NY
Captain SV "Wombat"
Wow...this is all very positive...sounds great and Grenada is getting closer and closer!
Glad the teeth are using some wisdom and behaving for you! Couldn't imagine being stuck out there with infected wisdom teeth....ouch.
Love your answers Zac...thank you.
Thanks to mum for the map too....many times I have no idea what it is all about but am learning little bits as we go along.
I like your 'thinking ahead' strategy for the Panama Canal....
Thinking of you
UK friend
Hi Zac.
Glad to hear that everything is going nicely.
The current position is the one from April 8th
Axel
Hello All,
Thanks Marianne for the great Clearpoint Weather picture. They get sailors what they really need and it's invaluable information.
Hold on Zac and get through those squalls. Hopefully you can handle the heat and make sure you drink plenty of liquids.
Sail On,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
Zac must really be in the doldrums since his position hasn't changes at all in 3 days
hehehe :-)
Time seems to fly at the equator because day time and night time hours are fixed at exactly 12 hours each. That plus the sun rises and sets fastest than anywhere else on the planet.
Mom, Zac, for future reference the picture is called a 'screen shot'. All computers have the capability to take a photograph of your screen (what you are viewing).
Look on your keyboard, usually upper right for a key called 'Prnt Scrn' :-) press that button. You will now have a photo of your screen. Then go you your usual graphics program, open it, click edit, and 'paste' or 'paste as a new image'. If you don't have a specific graphics program, all Windows systems come with one called 'paint'. Go to All Programs then Accessories and look for 'Paint'. Do as above open and select edit and simply 'paste' . Voila !
If you just want to capture what you are viewing (just the browser) use ALT + PRNT SCRN (press them at the same time).
Hi Zac
Can you explain how your internet works out there? Is it fast? Do you pay by the minute or is it a set plan per month? So many questions i know but i am thinking of along passage and dont know if i could do with out my internet on board.
Sail safe
I know this is a solo circumnavigation, but i wish Nick Adenhart could have been on that boat with you a couple nights ago,,,
R.I.P. NA #34
Rock On Zac
Zac,
Am glad you are enjoying this part of your sail...keep enjoying every minute of it as it will be in your memory for the rest of your life....
I want to wish you a Happy Easter as you get closer to Grenada. (You may already be there!) However, let your eyes capture the majesty of the ocean, the skies and the sight of land if you can....remember WHY we enjoy Easter...may HE continue to always be by your side.
Safe sailing!
Betty E., Lomita, CA
The Caribbean Maritime Mobile Net "operates daily on 7.241 MHz from 1100Z to 1200Z"
http://users.isp.com//kv4jc/services.htm
"The Maritime Mobile Service Net is operational every day from 12:00pm until 9:00pm Eastern Standard Time, and from 12:00pm until 10:00pm Eastern Daylight Time, on a frequency of 14.300 MHz., in the 20-meter amateur band. The network also operates on the alternate frequency of 14.313 MHz., should the primary frequency be inoperable. "
http://www.mmsn.org/about-us.html
Found these on http://www.mayaparadise.com/mmfreq1.htm
Hi Zac,
I haven't posted to your blog before - Russ here from Cumbria(UK) in the cold northern part! Been following your journery with interest and it sounds like you are having some great sailing now if a bit bumpy. How long do you plan to stay ion Grenada?
Take care.
Russ
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