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."

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Tom on the Bow of  SV Hamamas

Cruising-Olimaroa Atoll to Yap- 2008

3 March, 2008
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As we left the Olimaroa Atoll on 3 March 2008 we hoped for good winds so we could actually sail the 490nm to Yap but as usual the weather was all over the place. So we rocked and rolled through beam seas and were dumped on by showers and squalls as we sailed and motored for the 3 day and night crossing. We had the Main sail up and down numerous times and of course the head sails were furled and unfurled twice as many times. Neither of us had much sleep as the sail changes, as usually happens, were during the moonless night!

To be fair I must include this from SV HAMAMAS LOG "Sailing under Main and Genoa. Slipping through the water beautifully at 7kts. Very comfortable and pleasant. Why can't it always be like this?"

Three hours later the wind shifted 30' and a big squall came through and spoilt everything! After this we were pestered by fickle winds. Although on some days we had great sailing for a few hours. This pattern continued until we reached the picturesque tiny island of Yap on 6 March at 5.30pm. 

Cruising- Chuuk to Olimaroa Atoll-2008

27 Feb, 2008
After spending an amazing month in Chuuk we weighed anchor on 27 Feb 2008 and sailed 350nm to Olimaroa Atoll in Micronesia. The trip was 3 days and 3 nights of tedious sailing and motoring as the winds were not from the right angle and we had a horrible beam seas so we rolled and rolled. Yuk! 
On this section of the trip the Milky Way was brilliant before the almost full moon rose. It was fascinating to watch it rise as it rose so quickly. We also saw a few pods of dolphins but nothing as magic as our 100 performing dolphins!

We found the entrance to the Atoll hard to see as the tide was high and we were early but C Map was reasonably accurate and we found that if you go west of the break it was pretty safe with roughly 3-5mtrs under the keel. The shallow water extended a long way in but then the lagoon became deep and was free of hazards. We anchored off the island in sand in 13 mtrs of water.

We had a 2 night stop over at this fabulous uninhabited Atoll. It was beautiful and we found some good snorkeling on the bommies near the shore with lots of fish. It was a typical island though as it stank because of the numerous birds. Some strong squalls came through but we were comfortable and our anchor held.(Remember to click on the photos to enlarge them)

Cruising- Choisuel to Chuuk Lagoon Micronesia- Jan 2008

15 Jan 2008

 After refuelling we tried to get some fresh provisions but there weren't any! So both yachts departed on 15th January 2008. Our plan was to visit a few atolls and then head for either Pohnpei or Chuuk Lagoon in the Federated States of Micronesia depending on the winds. This was because at first we were in the southern hemisphere were it was summer and the winds were from the SW then we would reach the Equator and be in the doldrums after that we would be in the northern hemisphere (winter) where the winds would be N then NE (what we wanted). But...

Yes you have guessed it! The winds were all over the place and the seas were confused (what's new?) so we had a very interesting 11 day sail (motor sail and just plain motoring) without stopping at Nukuroa Atoll nor Lamotrek Atoll as the seas were too rough and the entrances too scary. We experienced squall after squall both rain and wind especially between 2 degrees S the Equator and 2 degrees N. On the other hand we had sunny days and brilliant sailing. Hamamas excelled herself! Tom and I used our power winches to help us with the Headsail and Staysail and we have worked out a good system for the raising and reefing the Main.

I was so excited as we neared the Equator after watching the countdown of our GPS position from about 2 S (a watch pot never boils!). We estimated we would cross about 11pm on 20th Jan. I asked Tom to wake me as it was my off watch time. So... just before 11.30pm he tried and tried to wake me but to no avail. So after all my excitement I was unable to celebrate with King Neptune. We had talked about a little drink but in the end we had a cup of tea when I came on watch. Hope King Neptune didn't mind!

We lost contact with sy Keturah after Choisuel as they had headsail stitching problems and were hoping to get to Tauu Atoll to make repairs.

The highlight of the trip was not only the brilliant sailing days and nights but the visits by the dolphins. Whenever we were sailing at around 6-7 knots the dolphins would visit. One day we had pods and pods of them racing in from everywhere. We estimated about a hundred (yes 100- photos to prove it!) They gave fantastic performances. While I clapped and called them in Tom photographed. They stayed so long I had a horse throat and Tom tired of photographing them. That was a really magic experience!

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