Picton Castle sails along on a westerly course, rolling side to side through the South Pacific waters with a beautifully painted hull. A fresh coat of white paint was added in Mangareva. Wind filling our canvas, a breeze blows across the deck and to living quarters below as the sun shines down warming our tanned skin. For many of us that live north of 30° longitude, it’s hard to believe this is considered winter here in the South Pacific.
Ship’s Work: Tinkering, hammering, and scraping echo throughout the ship. The bosun is keeping the daymen and watch-standers busy. The riggers are replacing grommets on blocks and seizings on the foremast.
Mike of British Columbia, Canada is practicing his hand seaming on a new t’gallant as our sailmaker John of Boston, USA mends an old t’gallant.
Tony of England continues his hand at carpentry by upgrading our jerry-can holder, while Carlos of Ontario, Canada works steadily on the quarterdeck replacing parts of deck planks. Considering our white pine deck is 22 years old and the amount of wear and tear and hot burning tropical sun she receives it’s impressive what good shape it’s in. Captain says this is due to being oiled frequently and plenty of salt water.
Our inside head is being prepped for a fresh coat of paint, the windlass is being rust busted and a seamanship workshop will take place at 1600. Beautiful day aboard the Picton Castle, it can’t get much better than this.
From: Mangareva, French Polynesia
Towards: Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Date: August 8th, 2018
Noon Position: 22°22′ S x 138°57 W
Course + Speed: W x N + 3.6 knots
Wind direction + Force: NExE + 4
Swell Height + Direction: 2m + ENE
Weather: bright, sunny
Day’s Run: 85.2nm
Distance to Port: 1161nmVoyage: 6883.2nm
Sails Set: All square sails, spanker, all four head sails (flying jib, outer jib, inner jib + fore topmast stays’l), main topmast stays’l and main t’gallant stays’l, mizzen topmast stays’l