Sipika Island

Just across the Equator - for the third time

Carol - mastering the paddleboad at Sipika

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Sipika Island

April 26, 2016

On Sunday we had a great day of sailing for a change. We had a 60nm trip to this anchorage which is really stretching it under motor, but had a backup at 50nm. We got a 6am start and by 10:30 could sail. With flat seas and a beam reach and only 11 to 15 kn of wind, we could do between 6 and 8 knots which got us in early. In the afternoon we crossed the equator for the 3^rd time. This time we passed the scotch through us into the sea. The second time, in the fall, it was so stormy that we missed the actual crossing until someone called on the VHF. No Regrets was anchored one night in a bay they dubbed “equator bay” as they said they had one pontoon of their cat in the northern hemisphere, and the other in the southern.

Sipika is one island of many close together small islands called the Telos group. This is a favourite of cruisers and there were 4 boats here Sun night. There is a good surf break along the side of the bay, but it is very flat in the anchorage. The surrounding islands protect you from any seas that may build up. There is a nice beach ashore and a sand bottom for the anchor. Hardly anyone lives here so not many people trying to get something from you. There is a surf resort run by an Australian, but there are no guests this week, so not running the restaurant.

No Regrets was here working on their fresh water pump. Without it they can't use their watermaker. They finally got it started by turning it upside down! They ordered a new one that Bob will bring from Canada. Bob’s suitcase is getting heavier all the time as he is bringing a new bilge pump for us.

Yesterday we both got some practice on the paddleboard and a good swim. Today it has been raining all morning. The rain is welcome since it has been so dry and we were planning on staying another day anyway. I’m reading a book by Bernard Moitessier, a well known French, single handed sailor and writer. “Sailing to the Reefs” is his first book and part of it covers his trip across the Indian Ocean to Cape Town. It is either inspiring or frightening, depending on your mood!