Papagayo Winds
Position: 06/02/09 1700Z 10 20.816N 87 43.012W
06/01/09 1500Z 09 31.713N 85 44.764W
First off, I want to thank Neil Kahn in Costa Rica for his awesome help and hospitality during my short stay there. Neil sailed as a kid in Florida and got into whitewater paddling which brought him to Costa Rica. He then got into sea kayaking and has a great business there in Herradura. Check out his web site and if you ever get to Costa Rica be sure to look him up!
www.kayakjaco.com
I've been making some fast but mostly slow progress toward my next way point. For now, I have opted to head offshore. There have not been any signs of tropical depressions and the Gulf of Tehuantepec is calm for a few days. When I get to 95W we will reevaluate the weather conditions and decide whether to continue offshore in search of the trades or head north to the coast of Mexico.
The gap winds from the Gulf of Papagayo filled in nicely last night. For the first time in a while I was making my 7-8 knots today. The wind died down a few hours ago but is supposed to be filling in again sometime tonight.
Electrical storms have died down. I haven't seen a lightning strike all day. The shipping has also slowed down a bit so I am able to get a better night's sleep. Light and shifting winds are all part of sailing in this part of the Pacific at this time of year.
I've been tired lately with the lightning, shipping and fishing boats over the past few days. I'm glad to be further offshore tonight and able to grab some sleep.
Cheers,
Zac
06/01/09 1500Z 09 31.713N 85 44.764W
First off, I want to thank Neil Kahn in Costa Rica for his awesome help and hospitality during my short stay there. Neil sailed as a kid in Florida and got into whitewater paddling which brought him to Costa Rica. He then got into sea kayaking and has a great business there in Herradura. Check out his web site and if you ever get to Costa Rica be sure to look him up!
www.kayakjaco.com
I've been making some fast but mostly slow progress toward my next way point. For now, I have opted to head offshore. There have not been any signs of tropical depressions and the Gulf of Tehuantepec is calm for a few days. When I get to 95W we will reevaluate the weather conditions and decide whether to continue offshore in search of the trades or head north to the coast of Mexico.
The gap winds from the Gulf of Papagayo filled in nicely last night. For the first time in a while I was making my 7-8 knots today. The wind died down a few hours ago but is supposed to be filling in again sometime tonight.
Electrical storms have died down. I haven't seen a lightning strike all day. The shipping has also slowed down a bit so I am able to get a better night's sleep. Light and shifting winds are all part of sailing in this part of the Pacific at this time of year.
I've been tired lately with the lightning, shipping and fishing boats over the past few days. I'm glad to be further offshore tonight and able to grab some sleep.
Cheers,
Zac
posted by Zac at
8:25 PM
20 Comments:
Ahhh, sweet sleep! Hope you have a good nite! (Can't believe you're in our time zone again!)
Dana
Santa Monica
Have a great night man... So close to home siblings, friends, mum & dad they have to be ready to see you by now... Get home and be safe! For us die hard anglers out there catch at least one more fish on the way :p - Dave Mc
Good to hear from you again Zac....seemed a bit of a gap there with news and you know us mums...we begin to get edgey!
But, things seem to be going just fine and I pray they stay that way.
Excellent.
Oh, glad that nasty old lightening has eased off.
Keep safe.
UK friend
Going offshore will avoid more of the big ship traffic?
Smiling here in warm, humid and rainy Ohio thinking of you zipping along in the hot, humid canopy of Costa Rica. What wonderful memories you will have of your stop there -- so happy that you were able to just "do it."
Thanks for the great pics, Neil -- hope I can go on a whale watch trip or paddle a canoe in your beautiful country some day. In the meantime, I am happy to follow along on Zac's world adventure!
@ Anita - I, like Glen, am curious as to the origins of the name Wombat for your sailboat. And what does SV stand for??? Hope you are enjoying some great spring days on the water:)
Best wishes,Zac, as you keep heading towards your goal. And, btw, have you even given your hair a thought? I think not - LOL. CindyinCincy
It sounds like you're back in the groove again. At least you're able to get a little more shut eye and I'm sure that really helps.
Catch those trade winds Zac because you're heading back home and getting closer each and every day. I know you'll keep an watchful eye and please stay safe.
Sail On Zac,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
sv stands for sailing vessel.
Would be interesting to know what the name means
Axel
Yay sleep! We can't wait for you to come home!
If I may, if I were you, I would try to take the trades:
1. You would avoid extra shipping and shifting of winds that hug the coast.
2. That being said, you'd probably get more sleep. Your judgment is excellent, and to impair it may cause problems on this last leg.
3. Hurricane season started two days ago! And you would be right in the development zone!
4. When Vasco De Gamma first sailed around the Cape of Good hope from the Atlantic, he didn't hug the coast, but followed the prevailing winds! Even though the route may be longer mile-wise, I deem it more efficient (and safer, too).
So, hurricane or not, I'd go for the trades. Just my opinion.
Best wishes for whatever you choose to do! You're in my thoughts and prayers.
Mandi
Rhode Island
The level of excitement here on the blog is certainly building and ready to celebrate Zac's homecoming.
It's so nice to see familiar and unfamiliar bloggers thoughts at this point of the journey. I especially enjoy the words of those who post less frequently, and yet are still familiar voices to the blog.
@ Kittiwake Kids - I think Bill Mann is gonna take the first cut at that head of hair....
@ Glen - Nice to hear from you again, as always.
@ Dawn Z - I didn't give anything up, but I do spend more time at the computer than I ever have, thanks to Zac. Not sure if that's a good thing ...LOL! I imagine your daughter will enjoy a nice bubbly soda at the Sunderland home soon to go with the mega delivery of Pizza that will be going to the home as well! PIZZA PARTY!!!!
@ Zac - Tell me how good that pizza was the next day?
Hi Zak!!! What a nice surprise - to see a wonderful little article in our local paper - on your journey...We live in Santa Cruz..and have been following your adventure since day #1!!
Wishing you all the very best as you end your amazing experience!! You have brought more than a little excitement to our every morning - for almost a year now!! Bravo!! God speed!! Santa Cruz would surely enjoy a visit someday!! Maybe on your book tour??!!
Zac, just read your story in ESPN mag and was blown away (sailing pun intended). Love the adventure path you have chosen and wishing you luck and safe travels. I just became a dad 7 weeks ago so my heart goes out to your parents and you. I am not sure I could be as brave with my child. I respect the heck out of your adventure, keep traveling and I will keep checking in on the blog...wish I about your journey earlier.
Safe Travels - Aram
I just read your story in ESPN magazine... WOW!
Good luck with everything (including the wind).
I'll be sure to keep tabs on your continued success.
Glad to hear the lightening let up on you finally and hopefully you got a well-deserved rest... hoping the nice winds keep up for you, bringing you closer to home! Can't wait to hit the book store and get the ESPN mag! You're doing awesome. Peace, Your Oklahoma Well-Wisher
So close and yet so far! It looks like good weather ahead so hopefully you can make good progress on the trip back home. It won't be long now!
How weird, up here in MV there have been some cloud lightning all morning. Good to here that is has died down a little down there. Your getting closer!
Trusting in God,
Michael Sheetz
Mission Viejo, CA
Thanks Zac, for letting us know that things have settled down for you. I feel a bit more relaxed right now. Fewer ships, no lightening, etc. Sounds like time for a nap!
@ Cindy in Cincy: As Axel has said, SV stnds for 'sailing vessel'. Wombat is an animal native to Australia. It's a burrowing marsupial which looks very cuddly and like across between a Teddy Bear and a Koala. I'd suggest that Anita finds her boat to look a little chubby and cute.
Sail on Zachary! We're all smiles today!
The Droaker
Zac: The Lord is on your shoulder. Navigate straight and narrown. GOD BLESS
Balmoral Sailor
Brilliant cover picture of Zac on ESPN Mag, specially the t-shirt :-)
Wide-awake article too from LA TImes.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/06/sailor-zac-sunderland-on-homestretch-bound-for-fame.html
Well I can't wait to pick up my copy of ESPN magazine this weekend. If Mom Marianne said it's good you better run out and get your copy. Thanks for the ESPN link Marianne.
I hope you didn't witness some kind of nuclear testing out there? Stay alert as it sounds like you really are.
Sail On,
Douglas Pistone
MDR, California
Hey Zac, We have been having a few lightning storms here also.
But it is one thing when you are sitting your house, and a whole other ball game when your sail boat is the highest object around...
To bad you are not making a little better time. I wonder if you are still going to make it by the end of June... By the way, try to make a point to catch some more fish...I've caught more fishing of the back of our boat in del Rey... I guess thats why they call it fishin' not catchin'...Oh well
Take it easy,
Nathan Schaefer
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