The wind is light, making steering tricky and keeping the helmsmen on their toes. At 1000 this morning we braced up sharp on a starboard tack, steering full and by the wind, now out of the west. This morning’s on watch put down their tools to leave the projects they were working on in order […]
The wind is directly aft of us, yards are braced square and we’re sailing along in a fine Force 3, or 12 to 15 knot winds, and gently rolling with the wide-spread swell typical of the vast Pacific Ocean. This morning Picton Castle, in all her white hull, white canvas glory, sailed under a big
Wind has laid down and is almost aft. As the sun rose through the clouds this morning a handful of bright eyed and bushy tailed souls appeared on deck. In these moments they’re able to sip a cup of coffee or tea and have a moment to themselves while preparing for the day. Some may
The Picton Castle sailed past the halfway mark between Galapagos and Pitcairn a couple nights ago. Southeast winds on the beam for many days and blowing pretty fresh at Force 5, gusting 6, have now faired and come in over the quarter and laid down at Force 3-4. Dense overcast at dawn, the ceiling kept
Seas laying down, yards braced almost square to the faired winds, the ceiling of the sky lifting and becoming blue. Happy Fourth of July and Tonga Day! An overcast, yet bright sky blanketed the ship this morning, grey clouds parted as blue pierced through, making for a sunny afternoon on deck. The sailmaking department is
The wind has faired as expected. Now it is no longer abeam but well aft. Ocean ocean everywhere. This morning began with gusty winds and larger seas than what we’ve had on this passage. Picton Castle sailed beautifully through the slightly heavier conditions. Light rain on the quarterdeck as the moon was fading off into
Yesterday’s South Seas Seamanship Soiree was a big success. First a neck and neck game of pin rail chases, where a member from each team stands at the ready as the chief mate calls out a line and the three scurry to beat their opponents to touch the belaying pin first. Once each member of
Rolling down to Pitcairn. Almost halfway. A fresh wind on the port beam, yards braced just so, all sails full and drawing, a white noise as the seas rush by the waterline. Blue white-capped seas as far as we can behold. Shoals of flying fish taking to wing to get out of our way – just like yesterday. An
Picton Castle: AM position – Latitude 10 degrees – 03 minutes South, Longitude 104 degrees – 23 minutes West The islands of the Galapagos lay 1,000 miles astern, Pitcairn Island is ahead 1,700 miles. Between is nothing but the winds, sky and blue ocean of the South Pacific. The large seas and swell have laid
Picton Castle made great headway last night, averaging 7 knots, staying on a southwest course falling off when the wind picked up. The advantage of being the only vessel for 1000+ miles, we have ample ocean room to play with. This morning the rigging gang headed out into the head rig with tar buckets tied
