October 26, 2007

We’ve Got Company!The cloud bank last night just took the rest of the wind away. Couldn't sail with 2 knots breeze from the northeast, so I decided there'd never be a better time to motor east, back to a better position to approach Funafuti from. Started the outboard and left it running at about 2000 RPM, about a third of its rev limit, only making probably between 2 and 3 horsepower. Just enough to keep us climbing over the face of the swell and scooting down the back. The sails were useless, so I dropped all canvas. We motored at 2.5 knots until dawn when the breeze started to fill in from a bit more east of north. Karen had seen a nav light pass behind us in the wee hours, and at dawn we could see another sailboat. Called on the VHF radio, and found it was Walter and Giselle, on Atlantis. I talked to them on the Rag of the Air a few months ago when they were heading to Tonga. We'll meet in Funafuti. Right now we seem to be pulling ahead of them a bit, but barring a major wind change we should both get in tomorrow. Bright sun, smooth sea, 10 knots breeze. Life is STILL good. Ted