FEBRUARY 2005

Feb 1- Day 109
0600 Position: 45.00S 31.00W
(Local Time Jan 31 1900)
Wind direction: N
Wind force: 6-8
Heading: 080-090 Compass
Boat Speed: 7 Kts
Barometric pressure: 1019 hps
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 16°C
Wave Height 4 m
Sailing with two-point reef in Main and Storm jib. Steering by windvane.
Wind may be strong for a while.

Feb 2 - Day 110
0600 Position: 44.08S 27.50W
(Local Time Feb 1 1900)
Wind direction: NNW
Wind force: 6-7
Heading: 090-100 Compass
Boat Speed: 6 Kts
Barometric pressure: 1012 hps
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 17°C
Wave Height 3 m
Sailing with three-point reef in Main and Storm jib. Steering by windvane.
Wind weakening a little, but can observe a cold front coming from the west.
Went up to 44S to keep sails intact. It's so rough at 45S.

Feb. 3 - Day 111
2300 Position: 43.56S 22.51W
(Local Time Feb 3 1300)
Wind direction: NW
Wind force: 5-6
Heading: 100-110 Compass
Boat Speed: 5-6 Kts
Barometric pressure: 1001 hps
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 16°C
Wave Height 3-3.5 m

Still sailing with three-point reef in Main and Storm jib. Steering by windvane.
Yesterday, saw iceberg with a sharp top like Mt. Everest.
I found a fish sized about 18 cm waiting for me on deck and I'm going to cook it.
Fresh stocks are down to 45 onions, 50 potatoes. All else are all processed, so I will start yacht gardening when it's warm. Thanks Osho (priest) Zen, Hironobu, I'll do Mamemaki, (Japan's Feb. 3) bean-scattering ceremony here too. Iguchi, continue daily contact PLEASE!

Feb 4 - Day 112
0600 Position: 43.55S 21.50 W
(Local Time 3 2000)
Wind direction: NNW
Wind force: 6-7
Heading: 100-110 Compass
Boat Speed: 5 Kts
Storm Jib only
Barometric pressure: 1000 hps
Weather: Fair
Temperature: 15°C
Wave Height: 5 m

Wind is relatively high. From the west cold front passage estimated again and again and again and again. In these days, seldom able to sleep from facing those passages day in and day out. No time to rest!!

1615 Position: 43.56S 20.28W
(Local Time Feb 4 2000)
Wind direction: NNW
Wind force: 6-8
Heading: 090-100 Compass
Weather: Fair
Felt good during radio contact with Japan, but radio conditions were poor and contact was cutting out frequently; contact completely lost one time!! I took a picture of the iceberg and sent it out, hope that was good!!! Tried sending again...cut out again, gave up.

Feb 5 - Day 113
0600 Position: 43.50S 19.02W (Local Time Feb 4 2000)
Wind direction: NW
Wind force: 3-4
Heading: 110
Boat Speed: 3 Kts
Barometric pressure: 1005 hps
Weather: Fair
Temperature: 17°C

Two reefs in the Main and No.1 jib deployed 70%.
Water leak broke out in Centerboard case, under the chart table, seawater coming in at a syringe-like rate. Amount of water by this leakage is not a problem but not good psychologically. Leaking with the sound SHOOO.
Steering by Autohelm due to conditions. Windvane was unable to cope with weaker wind. Once headed down to south but jibed to north again when another front came through.
But now I find the front went down south.
Today, was so busy for maintenance, will keep this heading for a while.
Local Time 2030, good night.
*Forgot to bring water-setting glue just this one time, wouldn't you know. Long way to go with that leak. It's rather hot in the daytime.

Feb 6 - Day 114
0600 Position: 43.54S 16.33W
(Local Time Feb 5 2000)
Wind direction: SW
Wind force: 6
Heading: 110-120
Boat Speed: 6-7 Kts
Barometric pressure: 1007 hps
Weather: Fair
Temperature: 13°C
Wave Height 3-4 m

Running with a two-point reef in Main, Storm jib. Steering by windvane.


Feb 7 - Day 115
0600 Position: 44.21S 13.49W
(Local Time Feb 6 2100)
Wind direction: NNW
Wind force: 5-6
Heading: 120 Autohelm
Boat Speed: 7 Kts
Barometric pressure: 1018 hps
Weather: Fair
Temperature: 14°C
Wave Height 2-3 m

Cruising with only one point reef in Main and No.1 jib 80% deployed.

Feb 8 - Day 116
0600 Position: 44.40S 10.00W
Local Time Feb 7 2100
Wind direction: N
Wind force: 6-7
Heading: 110-120 Compass
Barometric pressure: 1015 hps
Weather: Fair
Temperature: 14°C
Wave Height 3-4 m

Running with two-point reef in Main, No.1 Jib 50% deployed. Steering by windvane.

A cold front is approaching; will change from No.1 jib to Storm jib.
Radio's not doing much, only Sea Gull Net Honolulu at UTC 0700 came in.

Feb 9 - Day 117
1945 Position: 43.15S 05.10W
(Local Time: Feb 8 1045)
Wind direction: SW
Wind force: 5-6
Heading: 090-100 Compass
Boat speed: 6-7 Kts
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 13°C
Wave height: 3 m

Running with 3 sails: Main with two-point reef, Storm jib and 30% Genoa.

Lost about 30 miles heading up north a little due to information it would be too dangerous below
45S.

Dr. Kinoshita Commentary: Saito is running at about 7.7 Kts, having changed sails because he anticipates heavy weather. By 18:00, if he can maintain at least 6 Kts, he will have run 72 nm and will be about 1078 nm from Point 5.

Feb. 10 - Day 118
JST 2300 (Local time 1400 Feb 10)Position: 43.20S 01.11W
Wind direction: SW
Wind Force: 6 to 7
Heading: 110 to 120 (Compass Course)
Boat Speed: 6 Kts
Windvane
Barometric pressure: 1014 hpa.
Weather: bc fine
Temperature: 13°C
Wave height: 3 to 4 m
2 point reefed main, Storm jib and No.1-30%
Radio condition: very bad

Feb. 11 - Day 119
JST 0600 (Local time 2100 Feb. 10) Position: 43.30S 00.21W
Wind direction: W
Wind Force: 3
Heading: 110 to 120 (GPS)
Boat Speed: 2 Kts
Autohelm
Barometric pressure: 1016 hpa.
Temperature: 12°C
2 point reefed main, No.1-80%
Weak wind and waiting for wind from the next low pressure.
No vessels nor icebergs were seen within 24 miles by raderobservation.

Feb. 12 - Day 120
JST 0600 (Local time 2200 Feb. 11) Position: 43.43S 02.58E
Wind direction: NW
Wind Force: 8 to 9
Heading 90 to 100 (Compass Course)
Boat Speed 5 Kts
Windvane
Barometric pressure:999 hpa.
Weather: Cloudy with occasional rain
Temperature: 13°C
Wave height: 3 to 5 m

Sailing with Storm jib only. A cold front is passing. Mailsail was down just now.

Now suffering from toothache. The ache is not stopped by antibiotics so I am using anodyne, but this causes a sleepy feeling.

Now entered into the Eastern Hemisphere. Will send new information when passing Cape of Good Hope.

Feb 13 - Day 121
0600 Position: 43.10S 0532E
(Local Time: Feb 12 2200)
Wind direction: WSW
Wind force: 8-9
Heading: 100-110 Compass
Boat speed: 4-5 Kts
Barometric pressure: 1003 hps
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 11°C
Wave Height: 5-7m
Steering with wind vane under bare-pole conditions.

A cold front seems to have passed. Toothache
continues, as the temperature drops.

2300 Position: 43.25S 07.17E
(Local Time: Feb 13 1400)
Wind direction: WNW
Wind force: 7-9
Heading: 100-110 Compass
Boat speed: 5 Kts
WindVane
Barometric pressure: 1000 hps
Weather: Cloudy
Wave Height 4-5 m
Running under bare poles.

Feb 14 - Day 122
0600 Position: 43.24S 0802E
(Local Time: Feb 13 2200)
Wind direction: WSW
Wind force: 7-8
Heading: 130-140 Compass
Boat speed: 4-5 Kts
Barometric pressure: 998 hps
Weather: Cloudy with occasional rain
Temperature: 10°C
Wave Height: 4-5 m

Still steering with wind vane under bare-pole conditions.

2100 Position: 43.42S 0933E
(Local Time: Feb 14 1200)
Wind direction: WSW
Wind force: 7-8
Heading: 140-150 Compass
Boat speed: 4-5 Kts
Barometric pressure: 998 hps
Weather: Fair, occasionally cloudy
Temperature: 12°C
Wave Height 5-7 m

Still bare poles and steering by wind vane, but preparing to hoist Storm jib. Continue unable to make contact using satellite phone.

Feb 15 - Day 123 No transmission

Feb 16 - Day 124
0600 Position: 43.47S 12.17E
(Local Time Feb 15 2200)
Wind direction: NE
Wind force: 6-7
Heading: 110-120 Compass
Boat speed: 6.5 Kts
Barometric pressure: 1004 hps
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 11°C
Wave height: 2 m

Wind vane steering with just Trysail and Staysail deployed. Using Trysail to replace Mainsail until I can manage to repair last night's damage.

Dr. Kinoshita Commentary: On Feb. 24, Saito is close to passing Horie, after having fallen several days behind prior to Cape Horn. Now easily within radio hailing distance, but so far no indication that the two sailors, who some cast in Japan as sailing "rivals," have made an effort to communicate with each other.

Syutendoji has run 29 nm in the last 9 hours. There is something wrong with her main sail. There are 339 nm to go to Point 5.


2300 Position: 43.12S 14.14E
Compass Course: 80-90 deg.
Wind: WNW
Wind force: 6-7
Wave height: 2-3 m
Temp: 15°C
Barometric pressure: 999 hpa.
Saito has run 91.9 nm since 06:00; average speed 5.4 Kts.
There are 271 nm to go to Point 5 (about where Horie-san was yesterday).


Feb 17 - Day 125
0600 Position: 43.22S, 14.54E
(Local Time Feb 16 2200)
Wind direction: N
Wind force: 4
Heading: 120-130 (Compass)
Boat speed: 3 Kts
Barometric pressure: 1000 hps
Weather: Fair, partly cloudy
Temperature: 13°C
Wave height: 2 m

Steering by windvane under Trysail, and Storm jib.

Feb 18 - Day 126
2300 Position: 43.24S 19.17E
(Local time Feb 18 1600)
Wind direction: NNW
Wind force: 5 to 6
Heading: 110 to 120 (Compass)
Boat speed: 4 to 5 Kts
Barometric pressure: 1003 hpa
Weather: partly cloudy
Temperature: 15°C
Wave height: 3 m

Sailing with Storm jib only, and still steering by windvane.

Trying to communicate with Mr. Harada of "Signal Net"by radio, but so far failed due to bad wave conditions. Hopefully, will become able to communicate when I reach 60 to 70 degrees E.

Dr. Kinoshita Commentary:Saito-san reported us that he searched for Mr. Horie by radar, but was unable to find him.

The following are the data from 23:00 on Feb 18th to 08:00 on Feb 19th:
Mileage: 55.1 nm in 9 hours
Average Boat Speed: 6.1 Kts
Distance to go to Point 6: 2560 nm (91 Deg)
Point 6th is North of Kerguelen Plateau (Islands): 045S 089E

Feb 19 - Day 127
0800 Position: 43.32S 20.32E
(Local time Feb 19 0100.)
Wind direction: NNW
Wind force: 7 to 8
Heading: 110 to 120 (Compass)
Boat speed: 6 to 7 Kts
Barometric pressure: 1001 hpa.
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 13°C
Wave height: 3 m

Sailing with Trysail and Storm Jib, with windvane steering.

Passed the Cape of Good Hope. Toasted with beer! Seems Mr. Horie's "Mermaid" also passed. Tried to check by radar on 24-mile range but nothing could be seen. We did very well.

Feb. 20 - Day 128
0800 Position: 43.12S 23.22E
(Local time 0100 Feb. 20.)
Wind direction: SW
Wind force: 4
Heading: 135 (AutoHelm)
Boat speed: 4 Kts
Barometric pressure: 1013 hpa.
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 11°C
Wave height: 2 m

Sailing with Trysail, Staysail and 30 % No. 1 Jib. Steering by AutoHelm.


Feb 21 - Day 129
0600 Position: 44.18S 27.07E
(Local Time Feb 20 2300)
Wind direction: NW
Wind force: 3
Heading: 155 (AutoHelm)
Boat speed: 4 Kts
Barometric pressure: 1014 hps
Weather: Fair
Temperature: 14°C
Wave height: about 2-3 m swells

AutoHelm steering continues. Sailing under one-point reefed Main and 80% No.1 Jib. Good weather for a while, now. Running slowly in the moonlight.

Acknowledged contact from Iguchi-san of Atlantic
Net. Looking forward to the next contact.

 2100 Position: 44.18S 27.07E (?)
(Local Time Feb 21 1400)
Wind direction: ENE
Wind force: 5
Heading: 140-150 (Compass)
Boat speed: 7-8 Kts
Barometric pressure: 1010 hps
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 17°C
Wave height: 2-3 m

Returned to windvane steering. Sailing with two-point reefed Main, 60% No.1 jib.

Kan-san: I couldn't read you on the radio either. Expecting you again this weekend.

Feb 22 - Day 130
0600 Position: 44.30S 28.20E
(Local Time Feb 21 2300)
Wind direction: NNE
Wind force: 6
Heading: 130
Boat speed: 6-7 Kts
Barometric pressure: 1006 hps
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 15°C

Sailing with Main and a two-point reef, with Staysail.

Dr. Kinoshita Commentary: "Shoot your Doggy" is keeping to the 44 deg.S parallel, with about 2261 nm to go to Point 6. Mr. Horie is? 49 nm ahead.? It looks like a match race.Heading: 109.5
Distance covered in 15 hours: 96.9 nm
Average Speed:6.5 Kt.
2261 nm to go to point 6.
Historical Note: The course they are running is just tracing Captain Cook's third voyage in 1777.

Data for Feb 22 0600 to Feb 22 23:00 (17hours)
Compass course: 92.2
Mileage: 98.6 nm
Average Speed: 5.8 Kts
Distance to go to Point 6: 2106 nm
Mr.Horie is running about 50 nm (plus or minus 30 nm) ahead of Saito-san

Feb 23 - Day 131
0600 Position: 44.27S 31.31E
(Local Time Feb 23 2300)
Wind direction: N
Wind force: 4-5
Heading: 070-080 (AutoHelm)
Boat speed: 5-6 Kts
Barometric pressure: 1001 hps
Weather: Fog
Temperature: 13°C
Wave height: 2-3 m

Back to Autohelm steering. Sailing under two-point reefed Main, Staysail and 30% No.1 jib.

Feb 24 - Day 132
0600 Position: 44.14S, 33.03E
(Local Time Feb 24 0000)
Wind direction: NW
Wind force: 3-4
Heading: 130-140
Boat speed: 3-4 Kts
Barometric pressure: 1002 hps
Weather: Cloudy
Temperature: 11°C

AutoHelm steering. One-point reefed Main, 100% No.1 jib.

A Cold Front may pass from Feb 24 to Feb 25. Will set the Storm jib after it gets light.

Dr. Kinoshita Commentary: Distance run: 14 nm since Feb 23, 23:00
Average Speed: 2 Kts
Estimated distance to Point 6: 1985 nm (Mr.Horie: 1921 nm)
Both boats now sailing peacefully, but heavy weather predicted within 18 hours.


Feb 25 - Day 133 No transmission.

Dr. Kinoshita Commentary: As of 2300 "Shoot your Doggy" covered 91 nm during the last 17 hours, averaging 5.4 Kts despite moderate wind.
Estimated distance to Point 6: 1921 nm (Mr.Horie: 1900 nm)
Saito is now preparing for the coming storm.

Feb 26 - Day 134
2300 Position: 44.14S 40.54E
(Local time 1700 Feb 26, still have daylight)
Heading: 130 to 140 (Compass)
Boat speed: 7 to 8 Kts
Wind direction: NW
Wind force: 6 to 7
Barometric pressure: 1015 hpa
Weather: Fine
Temperature: 16°C
Wave height: 3 m

Sailing with 2-point reefed Main and 50% reefed
No. 1 Jib and steering with windvane.

Succeeded in communicating with Iguchi-san of Taisei-yo (Atlantic)-Net, but failed to communicate with Japan or Hawaii. Will you please stand by at on 21.382 MHz at JTC 0230?

Feb 27 - Day 135
0600 Position: 44.10S 42.01E
(Local time 0000 Feb. 27)
Heading: 120 to 130 (Compass)
Boat speed: 6 to 7 Kts
Wind direction: N
Wind force: 6
Weather: Cloudy
Barometric pressure: 1013 hpa.
Temperature: 11°C
Wave height: 2 to 3 m

Windvane steering. Sailing with 2-point reefed Main and Storm jib.

Could not communicate with Iguchi-san on 21.382 MHz at UTC1730, JTC0230. Will try to communicate with SEAGULL-Net at JTC0700, but the wave conditions have been very bad so far.


Feb 28 - Day 136
0600 Position: 44.22S 44.35E
(Local time 0000 Feb. 28.)
Heading: 130 to 140 (Compass)
Boat speed: 4 Kts
Wind direction: WSW
Wind force: 3 to 4
Weather: Fine
Barometric pressure: 1015 hpa
Temperature: 9°C
Wave height: 2 m

Windvane steering, with one-point reefed Main and 100% No. 1 Jib.