Cruising-Yap to Palau -March 2008

18 March,2008
After our wonderful time in Yap it was with reluctance we weighed anchor on 18 March 2008 to sail the 252nm to picturesque Palau and the Rock Islands. We were pleased to have some great sailing on this 2 day and night crossing in fact, we were pleasantly surprised to be able to do so much lazy, enjoyable sailing. 
We sailed mostly with the big Genoa only but were still able to do 6 and 7 kts at times and on one 24 hour leg of the trip we sailed 159nm. This was our best ever 24 hour mileage!

On the second night the ride was so comfortable we were able to enjoy "sundowners" while sailing! Usually "sundowners are a "no,no" while sailing on Hamamas but everything was fine.We were able to take numerous photos of the brilliant blood red sunsets which lasted longer in this area as we were heading west.

It became a bit rough for a few hours and as we rocked and rolled along we wished we could have poled the spinnaker out wing on wing style, but our pole was really too big for this so we discussed getting a whisker pole when we could.

The seas calmed again and we were off and flying again. We were so disappointed to have to slow Hamamas down but we wanted to arrive in daylight. It was hard to slow her so we ended up sailing with the Staysail 1/4 furled but the ride was uncomfortable as we plodded along at 4 kts. What a difference to our earlier sailing!

By 8.30am we were anchored in Malakal Harbour waiting to clear Customs. We had to move to the wharf to clear Customs which was quite painless except there were lots of Officials on board all asking questions and wanting forms to be filled in at the same time! Later we motored around to the anchorage at Sam's Tours where we found a picture postcard anchorage with other yachts anchored or on moorings in the "typhoon hole corner."

(Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them)

Tom on the Bow of  SV Hamamas