Position:
02 01 S, 164 56 E

Distance completed: 45.82%

Heading: 335
Boat speed: 3.5 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 87 nm (24-hr ave. 3.8 kt)
Distance made good: 2,154 nm
Distance to Yokohama: 2,620 nm
ETA: 22.0 days (07/16) @ 5.0 kt
Weather: Clear, warm (30 C), winds decreasing
Barometer: 1013 hPa
Waves (from): 0.5 m E
Wind (from): 12-15 kt E
Current (from): 0.3 kt W
Engine: 2 hrs x 3 @ 1,000 rpm for charging
Main: 1-pt reef
Staysail: 100%
Genoa: closed due to jammed furler (top)

[position map]

Today's Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium sat phone.

Everything is "fine," Saito-san reports, with clear skies and nearly flat seas. But the southeast trades have lessened to about 12 kt, and so progress has slowed a bit.

Added Comments

Rei spoke with him yesterday, and learned that Saito-san had visitors who are greatly welcomed by lonely sailors for their antics and great cheer. Her report:

"I'm fine and the boat's fine. The sky is very clear with only one small cloud of squall in the distance. There were 3 squalls with lightning and thunder the day before. In one big squall, I managed to get 3 buckets of water to wash with completely for the first time since leaving Auckland. I had a squall this morning as well.

Yesterday, about 8 dolphins appeared, and played around the boat. They suddenly showed up, enjoyed riding the bow wave for a while, then vanished. Last night the sky was clear and beautiful with many stars.

Dinner was beef saute flavored with ginger. The beef was partly off, so I had to use lots of black pepper and ginger to cover up the odor. It was the last meat. There were a package of sausage left in the fridge that had to be thrown away yesterday as the surface was covered with mold.

The refrigerator seems not to be working 100% well. The only protein left is vacuum-packed bacon. I still have vegetables including carrots, cabbage, leaks, potatoes, and onions. Other than these, all food are in tins.

Tomorrow night [today] or the day after, I will pass the Equator. This is behind the original plan by about 2-3 days.

I've tried to take some beautiful pictures, but haven't managed to do so. I have seen only one really gorgeous sunset. Often some rainbows have appeared, but none of them was of the perfect shape or easily photographed. But I'll keep my eye out."

OK... so let's see what Google Sky says he sees looking straight up at 7:30 pm local time today as he is ready to cross the Equator.

***

Meanwhile, 1,800 miles closer to Japan, Kenichi Horie appears to have dodged another typhoon, this one sadly the killer of several hundred people in the Philippines late last week. His "wave-powered" catamaran is making slow progress, now a good 6 weeks overdue, but he is still mostly upbeat in his daily (and disappointingly brief) logs. Since May 31 he has moved toward Japan 452 nm DMG (distance made good) at an average speed of just 0.86 kt.

Position:
00 27 S, 164 56 E

Distance completed: 48.1%

Heading: 340
Boat speed: 5.0 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 110 nm (24-hr ave. 4.6 kt)
Distance made good: 2,263 nm
Distance to Yokohama: 2,513 nm
ETA: 21.0 days (07/16) @ 5.0 kt
Weather: Cloudy, warm (28.5 C), winds decreasing
Barometer: 1013 hPa
Waves (from): 0.5 m E
Wind (from): 12-15 kt E
Current (from): 1.5 kt NW (contrary)
Engine: Motoring to maintain progress
Main: 1-pt reef
Staysail: 100%
Genoa: closed due to jammed furler (top)

[position map]

Today's Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium sat phone.

Winds now at 5 kt from ESE, so will motor until they build back up.

He called again a bit after noon JST to report crossing the Equator at 163 45 E. He's basically lost track of the number of times, but his Feb. 21 crossing on the way down to Auckland was "No. 34 or 35," he guessed.

Added Comments

Will let the Added Comment today be the terrific article just received (pdf, 1.2mb). Written by Brian Hartz and wonderfully photographed by Mike Hunter, it appears in the July edition of Boating New Zealand magazine (editor@boatingnz.co.nz). They did a superb job capturing the mighty effort that went into getting the refit done in Auckland, and the result that will carry Saito-san around the world.

Position:
00 05 N, 163 09 E

Distance completed: 50.1%

Heading: 330
Boat speed: 4.5 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 104 nm (24-hr ave. 4.3 kt)
Distance made good: 2,363 nm
Distance to Yokohama: 2,413 nm
ETA: 20.0 days (07/16) @ 5.0 kt
Weather: Cloudy, warm (28.5 C), winds moderate, thunderstorms
Barometer: 1014 hPa
Waves (from): 1.0 m E
Wind (from): 14-16 kt ENE
Current (from): 1.1 kt NW (contrary)
Engine:
Main: 1-pt reef
Staysail: 100%
Genoa: closed due to jammed furler (top)

[position map]

Today's Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium sat phone.

Winds had returned from ENE ("Echo November Echo") at about 15 kt.

We congratulated him again for crossing the Equator, which coincidentally is almost exactly half way to Yokohama from Auckland on the route he is taking. So double congratulations were in order.

Everything was the same today, though he reports "many thunderstorms" in the area.

Added Comments

He's conserving fuel so does not plan to motor unless the wind is too weak or contrary. Closer to Yokohama he'll start depending more on the engine if he needs to hurry up. There are several events planned soon after his arrival, so there IS a date we want him to make: No later than July 21, and preferably Saturday, July 19. His present ETA is July 16.

This is also a good study for us since he will leave -- and return -- on a tight schedule (as much as it can be) for his actual circumnavigation starting in October.

We have been watching the currents which have been changing as he approached the Equator. ClearPoint Weather presently indicates a 1.1 kt NW (contrary) current which is less than the 1.6 - 1.8 kt shown yesterday. But approx. 120 nm ahead the current will swing to his favor, from the east at about .8 kt. Marked changes are being shown at the Equator and in the general vicinity of any big island groups.

What this means is measured in a few miles a day. But if we can determine the location of nearby bands of favorable currents during the actual 25,000+ nm circumnavigation, a modest course change to let him "ride" them can potentially shave off several days or even weeks.

This is a new capability for Saito-san brought to him by ClearPoint's spot-on software and highly accurate data on weather and sea conditions at his precise location.

Position:
02 42 N, 162 20 E

Distance completed: 52.6%

Heading: 315
Boat speed: 3.5 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 114 nm (24-hr ave. 4.8 kt)
Distance made good: 2,472 nm
Distance to Yokohama: 2,292 nm
ETA: 19.0 days (07/16) @ 5.0 kt
Weather: Cloudy, warm (28.5 C), winds moderate, thunderstorms
Barometer: 1013 hPa
Waves (from): 1.0 m E
Wind (from): 10-14 kt ENE
Current (from): 1.8 kt NW (contrary)
Engine:
Main: 1-pt reef
Staysail: 100%
Genoa: closed due to jammed furler (top)

[position map]

Today's Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium sat phone.

Winds tending to drop. Opposing current will continue for several days.

Added Comments

The arrows in this ClearPoint image indicate the prevailing currents in Saito's immediate vicinity. They are presently 1.8 kt out of the WNW, and are indicated to reduce in strength approx. 240 nm to the north, after which they will be constant, at 0.4 kt, out of the east..

Position:
04 00 N, 161 07 E

Distance completed: 53.5%

Heading: 310
Boat speed: 5.0 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 107 nm (24-hr ave. 4.5 kt)
Distance made good: 2,562 nm
Distance to Yokohama: 2,194 nm
ETA: 18.0 days (07/16) @ 5.0 kt
Weather: Cloudy, warm (28.5 C), winds weak, opposing, thunderstorms
Barometer: 1013 hPa
Waves (from): 1.0 m E
Wind (from): 14-16 kt ENE
Current (from): 0.4 kt W (contrary)
Engine: Motoring
Main: 1-pt reef
Staysail: 100%
Genoa: closed due to jammed furler (top)

[position map]

Today's Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium sat phone.

Winds have weakened and are mostly contrary, so has motored the past 24 hours.

Added Comments

Current that has opposed his westward progress is weakening from yesterday's 1.8 kt W to 0.4 kt W now. Tomorrow, after about 140 nm boat advance to the NW, currents will shift to out of the east at a constant 0.4 kt, and will stay that way for the next several hundred miles. That should help pick up an additional 6-9 nm a day.

***

In talking to James yesterday this was relayed:
NNW-bound heading towards eastern side of Guam, and will be in Ponape, Micronesia, area within the next 36 hrs.

ETA passage east of Guam on July 6 or 7th. No plan to stop in Guam. Expects to take 8-10 days more from Guam to Japan.

Position:
7/1/08 0900 hours (local time, minus 2 hrs Tokyo/JST)
Position:
06 20 N, 157 43 E

Distance completed: 57.5%

Heading: 310
Boat speed: 5.0 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 124 nm (24-hr ave. 5.1 kt)
Distance made good: 2,762 nm
Distance to Yokohama: 1,977 nm
ETA: 16.0 days (07/16) @ 5.0 kt
Weather: Overcast, winds weak, opposing, thunderstorms
Barometer: 1014 hPa
Waves (from): 1.0 m E
Wind (from): 8-10 kt ENE
Current (from): 0.4 kt E (favorable)
Engine: Motoring
Main: 1-pt reef
Staysail: 100%
Genoa: closed due to jammed furler (top)

[position map]

Today's Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium sat phone.

Winds have weakened and are mostly contrary, so has motored during the past 3 days. Fuel is ok.

Added Comments

All is fine although engine will not develop more than 1,500 rpm. Not serious though means powered speed is only about 5 kt max. OK for cruising, but would be weak for storm use. Will be adjusted in Yokohama. Currents are slight, at 0.4 kt, but now in his favor.

***
Passed Ponape today, the biggest of the 5 Federated States of Micronesia. (Ponape is the former name but still in use; official name is now Pohnpei.)

When we spoke he was 34 nm SW of the island, passing it on the west.

Position:
07 49 N, 156 03 E

Distance completed: 61.0%

Heading: 315
Boat speed: 5.0 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 134 nm (24-hr ave. 5.6 kt)
Distance made good: 2,878 nm
Distance to Yokohama: 1,852 nm
ETA: 15.0 days (07/16) @ 5.0 kt
Weather: Overcast, winds weak, improved direction, frequent thunderstorms
Barometer: 1013 hPa
Waves (from): 1.5 m E
Wind (from): 10 kt ENE
Current (from): 0.2 kt E (favorable)
Engine: Motoring 1,000 rpm (4 liters per hour, was 7)
Main: 1-pt reef
Staysail: 100%
Genoa: closed due to jammed furler (top)

[position map]

Today's Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium sat phone.

Everything is fine but he was hit by 2 squalls overnight and a third "really big" one this morning. Gusts with torrential rain reached 30 kt at times and left him tired and sleepy from a rough, watchful night. This unsettled weather will continue another 2 or 3 days. In 200 nm steady trade winds can be seen, along with apparently better weather.

Added Comments

Mike at Whiting Power in Auckland has responded to yesterday's comment that the engine is not developing full power and suggests several possible solutions. Those will be passed on to Saito-san later today. Whiting installed the engine and related systems.

In the meantime he is motoring as needed at 1,000 rpm to maintain 5 kt or better boat speed.

***
Vincent Longueval, Saito's sole crew until a family emergency called him back to France during the voyage down to Auckland, sent a lot of really great photos today. We'll be sharing the best over the next few days as well as post them on the Saito 8 web page.

Thanks, Vincent!

Position:
09 20 N, 154 39 E

Distance completed: 63.6%

Heading: 315
Boat speed: 5.0 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 122 nm (24-hr ave. 5.0 kt)
Distance made good: 2,987 nm
Distance to Yokohama: 1,725 nm
ETA: 14.0 days (07/16) @ 5.0 kt
Weather: Overcast, winds weak, improved direction, fewer thunderstorms
Barometer: 1014 hPa
Waves (from): 1.0 m E
Wind (from): 10-12 kt ESE
Current (from): 0.5-0.7 kt ESE (favorable)
Engine:
Main: 1-pt reef
Staysail: 100%
Genoa: Closed due to jammed furler (top)

[position map]

Today's Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium sat phone.

Weather is improving with "only 2 small squalls" that passed during the night. The heavy cloud cover of recent days has begun to lessen. Winds still weak but steady out of the E and ESE. He was happy with his progress over the past 24 hours with little use of the engine. He said yesterday he expects that after Guam's latitude he will be able to make improved time without needing the motor.

Added Comments

Guam is a destination Saito-san makes periodically the way some of us more timid sailors head to the nearby Izu Islands for a thrilling weekend adventure. But for Guam, it's 1,350, not a measily 40 nm, and Saito-san's made that journey so many times over the years he can't even begin to guess the number.

***
Here's another of Vincent Longueval's great photos taken on the voyage down from Honolulu. This shot of Saito plotting his position was taken through the companionway looking down into the aft-cabin/nav station.

Position:
10 12 N, 152 36 E

Distance completed: 64.2%

Heading: 310
Boat speed: 5.0 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 131 nm (24-hr ave. 5.5 kt)
Distance made good: 3,083 nm
Distance to Yokohama: 1,633 nm
ETA: 13.6 days (07/16) @ 5.0 kt
Weather: Overcast, winds weak, direction favorable, 2 thunderstorms
Barometer: 1013 hPa
Waves (from): 1.0 m E
Wind (from): 8-10 kt SW
Current (from): 0.2-0.5 kt ESE (favorable)
Engine: motoring
Main: 1-pt reef
Staysail: 100%
Genoa: Closed due to jammed furler (top)

[position map]

Today's Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium sat phone.

Thunderstorms still a problem; visited by 2 again last night for a total of 4 hours so could not get much sleep. Immediately following, the wind drops to almost nothing and so must motor to keep the average boat speed at 5 kt.

Added Comments

Saito-san has been westing toward Guam rather than taking a direct route to Yokohama. He said he has found in past voyages that winds and currents tend to be more favorable in that area and so should see a speed benefit as he nears Japan if more to the west. As he leaves the trades, the winds will shift to mainly out of the south and southwest. Guam is 480 nm NW of his current position.

Later, Saito-san spoke with James and after obtaining more ClearPoint information on weather to the north, Saito-san decided to steer a more direct course to Yokohama, thus cutting as much as 100 nm off the remaining distance. In the next 3 days we can track the differences in wind and current to determine if that was the right choice.

To Yokohama directly: 1,628 nm
Via east of Guam: 1,731 nm

***
Another of Vincent Longueval's great photos taken on the voyage down from Honolulu. This shot is of a ???, resting on the stern dinghy platform. It seems to be an immature red-footed booby, though images we could find on the web show the red-footed booby as brown, not white. Can anyone help identify this feathered hitchhiker?

Position:
11 15 N, 150 44 E

Distance completed: 66.4%

Heading: 310
Boat speed: 5.0 kt
Distance in last 24 hours: 128 nm (24-hr ave. 5.3 kt)
Distance made good: 3,189 nm
Distance to Yokohama: 1,520 nm
ETA: 11.9 days (07/16) @ 5.3 kt
Weather: Overcast, winds weak, direction shifting, no nearby thunderstorms
Barometer: 1013 hPa
Waves (from): 1.0 m E
Wind (from): 8-10 kt WSW
Current (from): 0.2 kt ESE (favorable)
Engine: motoring, 1,000 rpm
Main: 1-pt reef
Staysail: 100%
Genoa: Closed due to jammed furler (top)

[position map]

Today's Report

Spoke with Saito-san by Iridium sat phone.

Thunderstorm activity was substantially reduced so Saito had an easier night. He has turned course slightly more northward, with less westing, on a more direct route toward Yokohama. Saito-san gave an ETA of July 17 or 18, compared to our July 16. He says the shifting winds and general wind weakness are slowing him down. When he spoke to Hide-san later in the morning he said it looks like either the 16th or 17th is possible.

Added Comments

His DMG ("distance made good" toward Yokohama) has been an ave. 109 nm over the past 5 days, compared to the daily ave of 128 nm "distance over ground." If that 128 nm daily average can be maintained at a more direct heading of about 340 degrees from his current position he should arrive July 16 (in 11.8 days). Indications from ClearPoint Weather for wind and current conditions over the coming week suggest that may well be possible, with winds generally out of the S and SSE.

***

Preparations are well under way to receive Saito-san and the "new" Nicole BMW Shuten-dohji III on arrival. Depending on the time of day and conditions, at least one motorboat is being arranged to go out to meet him. At least initially it looks like the vessel will berth in Yokohama Bay Side Marina, though this is still pending.

A cleanup crew of volunteers is being assembled to give the boat a good scouring the weekend of the 18th. Paint brushes, sanders and metal brushes will be distributed for touching up the stained areas and rust streaks that have appeared over the last 4 mos and 7,500 nm. Please let us know if you'd like to help.

***

It's good to see today's Yomiuri Shimbun carried the story of Kenichi Horie's arrival at his home port near Osaka after 110 days. Though about a month overdue, his prototype wave-powered catamaran was able to make the 3,360 nm trip from Honolulu.

***
Another of Vincent Longueval's photos taken on the voyage down from Honolulu. This is the view at night during the often-stormy conditions they met on the way.