Jackster
flew across the Celebes sea from Lembeh Straits to Doauba on Morotai
island at speeds of up to 9.6 knots. It's probably the best sailing
conditions we've had for over a year; our course ENE with 15 knots of
wind from the SW so on the beam, NE setting current averaging 1.5
knots and waves less than a metre. There was some motoring at the
end when the wind died as we approached Halmahera just before dawn
but to cover nearly 200nm in 29 hours (average was 6.9nmph)is a big
thanks to David's sail trimming. A stand out performance so close to
the equator where we have had to motor more than we are able to sail.
Our
arrival in Doruba, Morotai was timed to be the same as the rally
fleet coming from Sangihe to the north of Sulawesi. Some had arrived
after a rough crossing three days ago and were chilling out at the
islands, others were arriving same time as us. We led a small convoy
in through a channel in the reef for a crafty short cut. Our method
is to cache Google Earth images on a computer before we begin, use
the GPS function to put us on the map and I stand on the bow scanning
the water with binoculars looking for dark patches (reef) and light
patches (shallow reef).
The
anchorage at Doruba is fine. The upside is to meet up again with our
friends from the Malaysian rally and to see Big Wave Dave
(Californian surfer) and Suzie from Sidewinder. We said goodbye to
them in Fiji two years ago so very happy to cross paths once more.
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