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sailing across the pacific ocean

Squalls All Night, Trouble All Day – Sailing Across The Pacific

We have reached the breaking point.  And by that, I mean the point of this ocean crossing where stuff starts to break.  We knew the drama would show up eventually, but we didn’t expect it to come in threes!

Ocean crossings, squalls and broken bits go together like peas and carrots.  You see, its prime cruiser talk once we make landfall.  First two questions are always, “How was your crossing?  Did you lose anything?”.  So at least we’ve got some decent stories to share from our first big passage.  It’s rather boring, and doesn’t make the beer last as long, if you show up with a happy story like “it was great, just another beautiful downwind sail”.

So grab your tools, foul weather gear & sunglasses and join us for days nine through fifteen of our sailing adventure across the Pacific Ocean.

It’s funny to look back now and see ourselves riding out squalls one day and the next we’re yelling “Goooood Morninggg” like we’re on Oprah (remember that show?).  It’s all tossed about in my memory as one event.  Not distinguishable by individual days.  Putting together these passage videos brings back a flood of little details, and man was it a roller coaster!

We’ve officially surpassed the halfway mark (in nautical miles) and crew morale is intact and optimistic.  Now, it’d be great if Mother Nature could give us another taste of those easy breezy days as we approach land.

sailing across the pacific ocean

sailing across the pacific ocean

About Those Broken Bits

So far our steering is moaning, our traveler is busted to pieces and our bilge is collecting a fair amount of water.  Here are a few extra thoughts on our sailboat issues.

Steering Moan – It’s never a good sign when a new noise comes about.  The moan is just one of many ways a boat can speak to you and this wasn’t one we wanted to ignore.  Our backup steering is located aft at the lazarette locker and would be a very precarious place to be steering in heavy seas.  Chances of getting swept overboard would greatly increase.  We’ve cleaned, lubed and inspected every part and the best we can come up with is the block that guides the rudder cable is seized and not turning…thus creating the moaning sound as the cable moves around the non spinning block.  We’ll continue to keep a close eye on everything.  We’ll clean, lube and repeat until the moaning stops or we identify an official culprit.

Busted Traveler Car – We inspected, cleaned and lubed everything before taking off and this traveler didn’t show any signs of needing to be replaced.  But…it’s original to the boat, which means it’s 13+ years old.  So, perhaps it was just at the end of its life.  If you look closely at the footage or photos below, it is the metal pin that broke and busted up the plastic as it came catapulting out.  Not much we can do about it out here.  We’ll need a new traveler car.  But…spectra to the rescue!  Jason smartly stocked up on spectra as a CYA.  It’s incredibly strong line and can be used to lash all sorts of stuff together, including keeping our boom under control.

broken traveler on sailboat

trouble on passage

Bilges – While the install of the new bilge is doing the trick, the bigger question is always…where is all that water coming from?  We always accumulate a small amount of water on days where the seas are rockin and rollin, but this is a bit more than average (granted it is the longest we’ve ever been out to sea).  We have plenty of theories and haven’t found any obvious leaks.  So…any suggestions from our salty sailors out there would be greatly appreciated.

trouble on passage

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Gear Used In This Video

Sailing Report

sailing to french polynesia

We use our Garmin InReach to track our sail and send updates to family & Patreons. It’s also how we were communicating with Kent to help us troubleshoot our issues.  We take a screen capture every day at 5:30pm, because that marks another 24hrs logged for our sail across the Pacific.  It’s a fun way to follow along in real time and hear what’s happening on board.  This video covers May 3 – 10, 2018.  Here is the screen capture from May 10th.  The little dots share real-time trip info and the little message pop-up is us writing to the people following along from home.

 

Hello there! I honestly don’t know what to say, so I am going to tell you a bunch of random facts instead. I'm a fish eating vegetarian who hates spiders and loves snakes. I almost never took vacations growing up. I wanted to be Pippi Longstocking (still do). I misspell about every other word I write and still struggle with grammar. I love splurging on a good high tea (which is really hard to find these days). And whatever you do, don’t tell me I can’t do something, because then I'll HAVE to do it!

Comments (44)

  • norman

    re-watched the video on 11/7/19 and what I got out of this episode is really that no matter what goes wrong – from having to get up at 3:00 am to re-position the sails or fixing a broken traveler or a bilge – Jason always has a smile on his face.

    reply
  • Bill

    Amazing how generally smooth the cat is in squally weather. No 20 degree plus rolls on each wave slamming you around, although that too becomes familiar of course. Nice to see and glad not much went very wrong. Congrats on a good passage.

    reply
    • Bill

      Sorry for the double post; it looked like me first one disappeared 🙂

      reply
  • Bill

    Amazing how stable the cat is. No 20 degree plus heeling slamming you around on each waive. Fun to see and in the scheme of things fairly uneventful. Not sure who Kent is but great to have a technical consultant like that.

    reply
  • Luke

    Just discovered your site! Love it! You have a wonderful perspective! We have two kids, worked the long hours, and are approaching 60, and it has all been wonderful! But watching you is inspiring. My wife and I have our eye on a boat and hope to transitioned to a life a little more like yours – within reason :-). Keep doing your thing! We’ll be watching!

    reply
  • mary

    I’m a little behind with my Sunday, Funday videos. I’ve been on the road (and sea) traveling 🙂 I am feeling a little sea sick from the video this morning although it could be the really late night with high school friends. I had so many friends ask about you last night. I love that they are keeping up with you all.

    The final days of my birthday celebration, it is time to get back to work. Loved our time together! Miss you bunches. Be safe. xxoo

    reply
    • Curious Minion

      Happy birthday Mary! I hope you had a great celebration.

      reply
  • Scott

    I see a number of agreements on safety.

    I went back to look at MOB practice. Way different conditions, and working as a pair.

    httpsutu.be/KwI5zjue5ow

    In fairness to Nikki and Jason, anyone less concerned about harness/PFD use also should comment.

    But as always, thanks for taking us along with upbeat honesty.

    reply
  • Scott Hall Hall

    All minor issues and easy fix….. Nikki up top with no life jacket or safey line is borderline insane. Lash yourself to the boat!!!! Contact Foretravel,Newell, or Newmar and get back to the RV!!!! Blue water is nice but more to see and do in the Motorhome.

    reply
  • Christie

    I would love for Nikki to put out a cookbook of everything she fixes onboard. That would be amazing!

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  • Bob Stovall

    My beloved Eric and Nikki;
    Please, oh please

    Wear your lifelines and a life vest when your are scurrying about the Curiosity removing flying fish and other detritus that land on her.

    Of course, I know that you’ve already made French Polynesia safely but you have other ports of call to make. I sense a circumnavigation is afoot and I do not want to see any headlines about one of you having been swept overboard or lost your footing and fallen overboard in the vast ocean.

    reply
    • Jimbo

      Eric?
      Singa’s birth name? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

      reply
    • Steve

      ” I know that you’ve already made French Polynesia safely ”
      Bob,
      Unless I am completely wrong, I don’t think they’ve made “Land Ho” yet.
      I have no access to their real time position, but I am guesstimating that they should be around 8°35′ S 119°45 W, (As of Sept 5) ( unless they are making 20 knots )
      https://www.windy.com/-8.311/-116.415?-16.699,-120.015,5
      They are most likely aiming for Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands.
      Without spilling the beans and ruining the surprise, I guesstimate their arrival in about a week (6.8452 days 😉
      I am also willing to bet a coffee 😉
      Steve

      reply
      • Curious Minion

        Uh-oh Steve! I’m afraid you owe Bob a coffee. Check out the date of this post: https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/update-sailed-pacific-ocean

        reply
        • Steve

          Uh-oh!!!
          I think I am going to get my orthopedic shoes and I will stand corrected!
          Bob, I owe you a coffee.

          Curious Minion
          I was shamelessly mislead by the estimated time of filming in the video:
          @ 5:41, https://youtu.be/9_cIj3Lx9BY?t=5m41s
          Position S 06 d 44.488′ W 103 d 06.31′ Bearing 263, 2144 nm to go
          Oh well…. ;-((
          In any case, if you need help translating something from french ( marine or engineering, as well as red tape) please let me know. You have my email you tricky minion!
          Steve

          reply
          • Curious Minion

            It was a great guess Steve, but they should put the date up there with all that other info. ;o)
            Tricky Minion

        • Steve

          Bob,
          I just saw the “update-sailed-pacific-ocean post”
          ahem… dated May 23
          Me think I owe you TWO coffees

          reply
      • Sherri Grunden

        They have been in FP for weeks now.

        reply
  • Pat parker

    This last video was scary watching safely from my couch. You two are absolutely amazing how you are able to cope so well with the day to day living always moving.

    reply
  • Alan Solomon

    Hi ya’ll out there deep into the Pacific. Tomorrow is Monday, Sept. 3/2018, Labor Day!! Happy Labor Day to you. Take a rest if possible. Minimal or no labor on Monday!!
    You both no what is safe but, in those choppy seas, extra caution can be a major life-saver for you both and the cats. I always wondered about the cats roaming the deck(s). Those cats can use inflatable PFD’s too. Because, one of these days in the future I would like to meet you guys and I would like to interview the cats.

    A journey of continued safe travels for all four of you. Take best of care….

    Alan S.

    reply
  • Peter Bailey

    Just discovered your site….wow… impressive! Look forward to more adventures with you!

    reply
  • Judy Goodson

    I don’t know whether you’re really brave or really foolish to be out in the unpredictable Pacific with just 2 cat’s, who couldn’t help you with any of the problems that have come up. If you get stranded, do you have a rescue plan? At least you’re over half way there – but then you have to go back! Yikes!

    reply
  • Ralph d

    If its been raining, then water can come down the mast. Taste or smell the water
    To determine if fresh or salt.

    reply
  • Doug T

    Nikki & Jason — So glad to see you are still living the dream, although a month at sea is mind-bogling. What an adventure now, crossing the Pacific. I am now in New Port Richey, FL with a home on the Gulf of Mexico and a floating dock in my backyard. Hope to see you one day soon!

    reply
  • Great job on troubleshooting your issues and creating solutions! I thank that is the hardest part about boating. Also keeping your sports high! You two are rocking it!! Good job!

    reply
  • Missy De Koekkoek

    I recently found your YouTube channel. I have to say your two are amazing! Always upbeat even when things go wrong! I’m really enjoying going back watching all of your videos. Lol I haven’t caught where you sailing to now though. ⚓️?⛵️

    reply
  • Robert Campbell

    Been following you guys (silently) periodically from your RV days but had to say something here. Nikki; I am AMAZED at your ability to stay positive. Weather, boat troubles, rough seas – nothing seems to get to you. I read Kate’s narrative and she spoke of it but several days of being in your situation can make the best of us into grumps. Not you – kudos kiddo. Stay safe you two.

    reply
  • Roger B

    WOW! Another challenging week. And your spirits are still high.

    reply
  • Brian

    Another great video, thanks for sharing again. You two are amazing, love watching your adventures. Couple of questions.
    Did you ever see any other boats or ships in your crossing, once you were out to sea?
    How do you get a signal to text when out to sea?
    When moving about the boat, I’m surprised you don’t wear a PFD, or you have a safety line attached you yourself. What would you do if you slipped and fell overboard?
    Thanks again. Looking forward to the next video.

    reply
    • Curious Minion

      An IridiumGo satellite system lets Nikki & Jason download weather and wind forecasts and send text e-mails or very tiny attachments. The have a Garmin InReach that could also be used to send messages, and they have a sat phone. https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/product/inreach-satellite-communication-and-tracking

      In the sequence starting at 3:12 in the video you can see Jason wearing his PFD and clipped to a safety line. The PFD harness has an automatic AIS and alarm feature on it. https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/product/man-overboard-ais

      reply
      • Scott

        The part where Nikki was lubing the block was most concerning to me. Granted it is tight inside there. But on the sugar scoop, with no PFD, no lifeline, nothing at all between you and the Pacific but a couple feet of wet fiberglass, in unsettled seas is scary. And there are plenty of other times you are clambering around when an inflatable PFD would be no hindrance. I also worry when the cats seem to wander off to the deck. A man over oard or worse a cat overboard maneuver seems hopeless with no PFD and a single crew left on board.

        reply
        • Steve

          Scott,
          I *absolutely* agree with you.
          Attempting a (prepared) MOB 8 on calm seas with a floating object is a fun maneuver.
          Doing the same, solo, with 10 ft of seas or under Spinnaker, when the other crew member has no PFD (and no AIS) that’s not the same game.

          reply
        • Sherri Grunden

          I agree. They should both be wearing pfd and clipped in at all times while on deck on a crossing.

          reply
  • Bernard Schaer

    You guys amaze me every time I watch one of your videos…. Stay safe!! Bernard

    reply
  • Alex Todd

    Wow,that first photo, of just the sea is phenomenal!

    Have you ever looked into a wind vane to compliment your auto pilot? I know they’re more tricky on multihulls, but I thing they’ve been done. They tend to put less wear on your steering because it sticks with the wind instead of a bearing like an electric auto pilot.

    reply
  • Judy and Wayne McPhail

    Judy and I love your videos and grammar. You guys are a beautiful couple and we live through you.

    PS also love the cats!

    reply
  • Brenda Jones-Schneeberg

    Wow, that is a long rough time. I think I am adventurous, but this…. Love watching, keep on enjoying the life you’ve chosen.

    reply
  • Judy Conlin Hornbeck

    You guys make this grandma very nervous when your out there messing around with no harness. ?
    Please be safe.

    reply
  • Steve

    How are you texting from the middle of the Pacific?

    reply
  • You two are tuff you can handle it , just keep on having fun ?

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  • Tommy Hathcock

    Well, Now I have a bad case of sea sickness…. Don’t know how you guys do it.

    reply
  • Daniel lemaire

    About the water in your bilge: I know it sounds gross, but taste it!
    If it’s salty, it comes from the sea: sea cock, prop shaft seal, engine/generator cooling hose, etc.
    If it’s sweet, it comes from inside the boat: water maker, water tank, condensation, shower, etc.
    If it tastes “alcoholic”: DANGER, DON’T SWALLOW, POISON: it’s Prestone from one of the engines!!
    Daniel L.

    reply

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