Our position 24 degrees 26.6 minuets South & 166 degrees 40.2 minuets East 24 hours after leaving the outer reef Pass sailing as close to the wind as the confused seas would allow or close hauled. By the following day at 6 PM Local time it gave us a very respectable day’s run of 127 NM. The wind & seas then began to build during the evening so we sailed slowly through the night with a doubled reefed mainsail & staysail. This morning we set a reefed Jib close hauled again and are averaging over 5.5 Knots in messy 3 to 6 foot confused seas. We are heeled over with grey overcast skies and the cap rail in in the water and occasionally taking breaking waves across the bow. It is forecast to be like this for at least the reminder of the day.
So far we have been in regular VHF radio communication with another boat, CANTREF with Doug, Mary & John aboard. They are currently about 18 NM ahead of us on the same course to Norfolk Island. It could offer a safe anchorage for a short rest if the wind is blowing in the right direction for anchoring and/or is too strong or unfavorable for New Zealand.
Love to all
Jim