Ships & Squalls
Position: 05/29/09 as of 1421Z was 7 deg 05.381N and 82 deg 16.869W
Since leaving Panama on Tuesday afternoon it has been pretty squally with plenty of lightning. In the Panama port area I must have passed 80 ships and continued off into light winds for the rest of the night. The next day the wind filled in and I was able to take a tack out to sea. I battled with light winds with a few squalls and lightning but not too close to the boat.
By mid day I tacked over up the coast still in light winds still dodging several ships. The new main sail works really great for light wind sailing and is helping me point high into the wind. I've basically had no sleep from watching out for ships for these first 2 days.
On Thursday the shipping was less and there was finally more wind so that I was able to do more sailing, though slowly, up the coast. There were tons of squalls on the horizon and in the evening a pretty crazy electrical storm. There was a lot of lightning striking all over the place. The time between seeing the lightning bolt and hearing the thunder was about 2 seconds. I put on all my foul weather gear and ended up sleeping in the cockpit. I have heard more than a few stories of sailors near Panama getting hit by lightning. I've got all of my hand held electronics in the microwave for protection just in case I am hit.
I was visited today by about 20-30 big, dark dolphins. Not sure what kind they are. They look like the bottle-nose dolphins like in Mexico but are darker. They were very curious and hung around Intrepid for a few hours. Pretty cool!
Cheers,
Zac
Checking out the mola clothes in Panama City
Since leaving Panama on Tuesday afternoon it has been pretty squally with plenty of lightning. In the Panama port area I must have passed 80 ships and continued off into light winds for the rest of the night. The next day the wind filled in and I was able to take a tack out to sea. I battled with light winds with a few squalls and lightning but not too close to the boat.
By mid day I tacked over up the coast still in light winds still dodging several ships. The new main sail works really great for light wind sailing and is helping me point high into the wind. I've basically had no sleep from watching out for ships for these first 2 days.
On Thursday the shipping was less and there was finally more wind so that I was able to do more sailing, though slowly, up the coast. There were tons of squalls on the horizon and in the evening a pretty crazy electrical storm. There was a lot of lightning striking all over the place. The time between seeing the lightning bolt and hearing the thunder was about 2 seconds. I put on all my foul weather gear and ended up sleeping in the cockpit. I have heard more than a few stories of sailors near Panama getting hit by lightning. I've got all of my hand held electronics in the microwave for protection just in case I am hit.
I was visited today by about 20-30 big, dark dolphins. Not sure what kind they are. They look like the bottle-nose dolphins like in Mexico but are darker. They were very curious and hung around Intrepid for a few hours. Pretty cool!
Cheers,
Zac
Checking out the mola clothes in Panama City
posted by Zac at
9:23 PM
24 Comments:
Really great to hear about how well the new sail is working for Zac. So, important on this final leg. Keep on keepin' on, Zac.
I am trying to imagine you out there with all this 'stuff' going on.It sounds pretty scary to me...especially the lightening.Hoping that things quieten down, for a while, so that you can get some decent sleep.The main thing is staying as super safe as you can and taking no chances with anything.Can't you tell I'm a mum!
Glad the dolphins came to visit and kept you company for so long....what a wonderful sight.
Thanks for writing when you're busy and tired.
UK friend
That was simple to figure out Zac. They were the species “Curious Dolphins”.
They wanted to see the long hair before Bill Mann gets to it.
Smooth sailing and try not to hit those lightening bolts as they come down.
Bill Mann
bill@barstools4u.com
HI Zac,
DOLPHINS..I LOVE dolphins!!! The first timeI was ever lucky enough to see a dolphin in the wild I was sailing the River Derwent in Tasmania. I was so excited I could hardly speak. My fellow sailors thougt it pretty funny because they see that sort of thing all the time! The photo on the blog is from that trip. I sailed "Rocket Alice" with David Graney (sp) and friends. One of the best days EVER!!!
So glad the new sail is allowing you to point higher, that will be of some help to you!
I'm just so excited for you to be heading home....soon you will be a record holder!!! How kewl is that??
Have fun out there, savor these next few weeks, and thanks for letting me "sail along".
Hugs, and many blessings
Anita
Waterloo NY
Captain SV "Wombat"
Fish on! Will we hear that soon from Zac? This area has some of the best fishing in the world.
If you are wanting to place Zacs position on Google Earth, there is a download you can open in GE on the lower part of Zacs route page.
Bob
Glad you are underway on the home leg, Cap'n Zac. I love lightening storms, but I suppose they take on a whole new aspect when you're on the ocean in a boat....
Dolphins! I have to think that's nothing but a good omen :)
Sail safe; stay hydrated!
Cheers,
willy
milford, ohio
Hey Zac,
It's going to be an upwind battle all the way, isn't it? Happy to
hear the handhelds have been kept in the microwave, who needs popcorn?
The Pacific Ocean must have felt like the home team advantage when you left Panama...I would imagine
my Cubs feel that way in Wrigley also, but look at it this way...it's going to be better than the doldrums, you will be in movement, no matter how small...
any progress will bring you closer to those you love and miss.
I wish you all the best in your battle North. Thanks for the ride,
Kate
I had to translate your position information so it works in Google Earth. I think it should be
7 05.381N 82 16.869W. I greatly enjoyed following your journey.
A new sail will always help when the winds are light. You have plenty of weather to deal with but as long as your heading to MDR that's all that matters right now.
Keep that sail full of wind and I'll be thinking of you sailing home this weekend. I hope you receive a little more wind and far fewer squalls.
Sail On,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
HI ZAC , THIS IS MY FIRST COMMENT BUT I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING YOUR JOURNEY SINCE THE START AND SIGNED YOUR BOOM AT THE FUNDRAISER. TELL ME HOW YOUR NEW MAINSAIL IS DIFFERENT. WE ARE PLANNING A CRUISE FROM DANA POINT TO ACAPULCO AND BACK AND NEED TO LEARN HOW TO POINT TO WIND BETTER. IT HAS BEEN GREAT READING YOUR BLOGS. WILL BE THERE TO SEE YOU IN, DON AND SUSIE CAMPBELL,LAGUNA BEACH
Nice to hear of the dolphins keeping you company...today we had 55 whales that "beached" themselves here in South Africa....Lots of people to help get them back in the water, without much success...for now.
We have a saying: The last leg is the hardest....or something like that...
Enjoy every minute of this last leg, it will be the completion of a strong achievement !
Go Zac !
Mother nature can be hard:
Whales "beached":
-20 were rescued and brought back to sea
- 35 need to be euthanised...sad but true.
Officials and volunteers had been struggling throughout the day to help the whales back into the sea.
"We have tried everything, but they just make a U-turn and keep rebeaching themselves,"
Going right up the gut... STYLIN! In a few days u will have all the squalls behind U. Drop anchor in Ensenada and suck back a few margaritas. U got to November to finish.
From your weather and routing blog it sounds as though daily prayers for your well being are as important now as they have ever been. My students are currently out of school for the summer so we can not pray as we have been, but know that you are a part of my daily prayers.
Get home safely and see where your next adventure leads you.
Yours fondly,
Craig Schreiber
St. Gregory Barbarigo School
@ rory..good idea about Ensenada.. better yet, we could all meet Zac there and give him one heck of an escort back to MDR marina..wouldn't that be a hoot!!
Laura
Fascinating to read and amazed at what you are doing! Take care, Delia
HEY ZAC, I KNOW BY NOW YOU ARE AN "OLD SALT" (WELL MAYBE NOT SO OLD, BUT YOU GET THE DRIFT) ANYWAY, GOING THRU ALL OF THE ROUGH OCEANS DO YOU EVER GET SEASICK? AND AFTER BEING OUT TO SEA FOR SO LONG, WHEN YOU MAKE PORT HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR YOU TO GET USED TO WALKING ON TERRA FIRMA AGAIN? OH AND BY THE WAY, THOSE BEAUTIFUL DOLPHINS, THEY WERE SENT BY GOD AS YOUR ESCORTS HOME.
PEACE - J.
Dolphins. According to Native American folklore, they are a good omen.
If I remember correctly, a pod of dolphins also ushered you for a spell on the way to Hawaii, at the beggining of your trip.
It's clear that these dolphin are here to help usher you home. A very good omen indeed!
@ Laura: I love that idea of yours!
@ Anita -
Are you going to come out and give Zac a good prophy? ;)
Zac -- I'm a grandma who has been following your great adventure, and I must tell you that I have the utmost respect and admiration for you and your family. I am praying that you will arrive home safely, and after you are settled, may you be a role model to other young folks, both near and far from you. Kids need a hero, and you are one. May God continue to bless you and keep you safe.
Zac:
We are curious about the lightening and the danger it presents. I know that I have read of lightening protection with a 'rod' on the mast being wired to direct the energy back into the sea. Does that not work? Don't you have such a system? What are the realistic dangers to you from lightening!
I know that you must be frustrated by the light winds, but they certainly are better that a hurricane! No matter your speed, each mile, nautical or otherwise, is putting you so much closer to home than they seemed to be several weeks ago. Whatever is happening, unless it's castrophe, you must be smiling more these days!
Staying with you 'til the end!
The Croaker
Zac;
What an incredible experience this is. Most people barely get close to the water to ever see dolphins!
My kids and I have followed you and your trip since last year. It's a great example to set for young adults worldwide.
It's proof positive in the phrase every parent tells their kids; "you can do anything you put your mind to".
Be well, and stay safe.
Bluesman,
Stamford, CT
hey Zac! so cool you were in my country.. I read an article about you, it sounds very interesting and what an amaaaazing experience... keep in that way, u rock!! Congrats!!!
have fun
1 kiss
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