This was the passage we had been waiting for. After beating upwind for as long as we could remember, we enjoyed a glorious dead downwind sail under Genniker alone. (Genniker is our large headsail on a roller furler.) The passage was only a little over a day in duration, but we were comfortable and it was a good reminder that passage making really can be enjoyable! We also had some good luck fishing: On the first day we hooked two Mahi Mahis at the same time, and it was a bit exciting because a shark chased one of them while it was on the hook. We could see the shark as it rode the waves behind us coming closer to the fish, and then the fish would swim sideways and get away from the shark for just a little while. Eventually, between fighting the hook and avoiding the shark the fish tired and the shark had its meal. Luckily, we were able to reel in the second Mahi, so on that day it was Shark-1, Exodus-1.
On the second day we once again hooked two Mahi Mahis and this time we got both on board, but one of them was completely wrapped in jellyfish tentacles.
Passage from Ailuk to Kwajalein
Our glorious sail came abruptly to an end as we approached Bigej Pass on the southeast side of the very large atoll of Kwajalein. It’s a wide pass, and there weren’t any hazards, so it looked easily navigable, and Tim decided we would sail through. I suggested that since we’ve never been here before maybe we should be more conservative and motor through. Arguments like that always ring hollow to Tim, and I understand. I know that “we haven’t been here before” isn’t really a good reason and the pass *was* really wide, but I just tend to lean towards being uber-conservative, because what is there to lose? So, I suggested that maybe we at least switch headsails from the genniker to the genoa. That way, if something were to go south, we’d have a headsail up that is a little more robust and easier to furl quickly, if needed. Nope, we kept the Genniker up.
It ended up being a total debacle. As we entered the pass, we encountered a strong current that started to push our course over ground to go very close to the edge of the pass. So, to counter this Tim headed up into the wind a bit more in order to keep our track more centered in the pass. Of course, then we experienced a wind shift that caused the Genniker to stall, and Alex and I, try as we did, couldn’t get it furled before the leech (trailing edge) was totally shredded in the strong wind. Totally shredded. From the head of the sail (top) to the clew (back tip).
Passage Summary:
Hours underway – 1 day 6 hours 18 min
Distance Made Good (DMG) = 168 nmi
Average Velocity Made Good (VMG) = 5.5 kt
Engine hours: Port Only – 0:00, Starboard only 0:00, Both 1:22 hours
Gresham Family Exodus 