Reunion to Durban Days 1 to 5

Leaving Reunion

Tahawus under sail

No Regrets under sail

Maggie sailing wing and wing into the sunset

Chartplotter showingmany frreighters off the south coast of Madagascar

Reunion to Durban  Days 1 to 5

Sept 9 2016

The trip so far has had all the variety that we expected. Winds have ranged from 5 knots to 33, from the SW, NW,N, NE and SE. The first day we were in the wind shadow of Reunion and sailed NW on the sea breeze. Our target this week is south of Madagascar, about 260 degrees. We stayed in an area of low winds another day, while the other two boats got out of it and well out of sight. They are about a day ahead of us. We finally spent one night motor sailing until the winds filled in. Since then we have been mostly in the mid twenties, gusting to 32. We have had the spinnaker up and down twice and the pole out for the genoa. It is a straight downwind run to our first waypoint which is 60 miles off the south coast of Madagascar, but that is not a point of sail that Maggie can do easily. We have been gybing from one side to the other.

The wind and seas are normally higher to the south and east of Madagascar. That is what we are in today. It is ok but uncomfortable. We are hiding out below to stay dry. There is a regular track along here with freighters traveling in both directions around the cape. We can read their destinations and course on the AIS, and call if necessary. There was no moon when we started Mon but a bit more each day.

With 2 people we do a long watch each and then nap extra when we need it. Rob stays on from supper to midnight or 1. I'll cover until about 5am. While on watch we try to sleep in 20 minute intervals between checking things. We've both read a few books during the day. It's great to have the autopilot working. We only have to steer when we use the SSB as there is interference between them. We are calling the other 2 boats on SSB at 8:45am and 6:45pm each day. Chris, on Tom Tom,  left Reunion yesterday and has joined the net.

The only boat damage so far is the bimini starting to rip in 2 places. A few waves have crashed onto it. Also we are having difficulty connecting to sailmail. We have someone advising us on the weather but haven't been able to receive emails for a few days. It is hard to get an available frequency with so few around here. We are going to try to use the sat phone to get emails. If you want to get in touch this week, send message to

robharvey@myiridium.net.

Photos to be added once in Africa, but so far only water and sky to see.