Panama to Galapagos - Forecast Perfection

Before leaving Las Perlas Panama we met more of the rally boats and their crew at the rendezvous dinner situated overlooking a bay full of rally boats.  The evening ended with a bonfire and fireworks.   The next day all the skippers met to review the plans for the course to the Galapagos.   Entering into Galapagos is tricky.   Not because of sailing but because of all the rules upon entry.  Part of our trip there will include organizing all of our things to make it easy for the 11 inspectors to ensure we can legally enter Ecuador.  

The start of the Panama to Galapagos leg. Boats are getting ready to cross the start line.

On Thursday at noon we left Panama.  86 degrees.   7.6 knots of wind.  5.6 knots of boat speed over the ground.  886NM to go. We were a little rusty to the start line with the 20 other boats.  We are proud to say at least we didn’t cross the start line last. Apparently, we both had gotten complacent with the ease of using our motor in light wind. Right, when you have to go up wind across a narrow channel and tack back and forth -- its a lot of work! And a bit embarassing when you put up the wrong sail for the wind conditions. Next time we will strategize a bit more so we don't do 3 sail changes in what seemed like 20 minutes!

The crew of Okisollo ready to pull the anchor at Las Perlas Panama

Anyway, after about 3.5 hours, we started gaining back momentum amongst the fleet -- we worked our way up to about the middle of the pack.  A few things we should mention. The World ARC is NOT a race per se.... BUT as you may know when there are two sailboats next to each other -- it is ALWAYS a 'race'. So the competitive spirit of Dan and I, heightened by the competitive spirit of our crew we were working the sails a bit more than we normally would. Okisollo is a heavy boat, we don't do great upwind, but as the winds were forecast for more of a downwind run, that mass would soon play to our advantage. 

Sunset at sea with wing on wing sail configuration. Perfect conditions, especially when you throw in a 2 knot current pushing you along!

The route to the Galapagos is relative straightforward.  We'd been watching the weather for the last few weeks and the forecast models were starting to come together. Meaning that there was higher probability for accuracy, the route was looking clearer. We use Predict Wind to forecast and have been tuning our settings such that the recommended routing are set for the way we like to sail. As such, we expected about 3 days of good sailing and then about 3 days of motoring in very light and variable winds.  

Calm enough to send the drone up under sail!

The first night we doubled up on our watches so that we could ensure that our crew was familiar with our equipment and so we could be a bit more attentive to the crossing of the busy shipping lanes outside of the Panama Canal. There was a steady stream of traffic. We had some terrific sailing the first few days. Coupled with a 1-3 knot current in the right direction it felt like we were flying to the Galapagos.

Making quick time, with comfortable sailing.

Around day 3 the winds started to subside. We thought they would disappear entirely but instead we had a light 5-7 knot breeze and flat seas. It was very easy going. We were able to comfortably settle in and do so without turning on the engine.

Wing on Wing with a poled-out jib on port side and the code zero on starboard. A winning combination in very light air!

The music was going in the cockpit, the sunblock coated and we the eating excellent and the crew was all very happy. We had lots of time to try different sail configurations to maximize our speed.

Okisollo amazingly moving up to the front of the fleet! All the boats North of the line had no wind!

Game night!

4 the wind had all but subsided. We stopped the boat and swam in the deep blue ocean. Somehow, a random crab found us and grabbed onto Dan's leg. I don't think I'd ever seen him move so fast to get away--in the vast blue you just don't expect something to reach out of the abyss and grab your leg! At 84 degrees the water was refreshing and it was enjoyable for all.

Taking a break in the middle.

Tuesday (day 5) was a memorable day, as we crossed the Equator at 88 degrees 38' 28". We had two pollywogs on board (people that had not yet crossed the equator). As such, King Neptune paid Okisollo a visit (along with Davy Jones' Sister) and court was held to see if Josh & Raf were worthy of becoming Shellbacks and would be allowed to enter the Southern ocean. After serving their time, enduring humiliation and labor, they were allowed to proceed. We spent another hour or so cleaning the bottom of the boat again, ensuring that no little barnacles had attached themselves. Then we continued on our way.

Josh & Raf forced to be humiliated in pink dresses, with pig ears -- and mud (chocolate) smeared on their faces and chest. King Neptune toasting their completion of tasks and Shellback credentials.

As the finish line grew near, we had more and more boats in our sights. We had moved from back of the pack to being one of the first 4 boats across the line. We know all the boats had to motor -- and this leg's winner will likely be determined by who motored the least (there is a penalty for motoring). We are hopeful that with our great route, perhaps we will end up in a good finish position? Others reported squalls, no wind and very different conditions when we had very pleasant sailing in bright sunny days. All in all, it seemed that we had the perfect path to the Galapagos.

Galapagos red-footed boobies spent one night on the boat--fighting for their position on the bow sprit -- it was constant entertainment and they were not shy with us or with the sails flapping 2' from their beaks.

We pulled into to Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Galapagos at about 10:30 PM last night. Upon anchoring, we were warmly welcomed by many very happy sea lions. They immediately boarded the aft deck and since then, Dan has been creatively figuring ways to deter them. With that, we'll leave you hanging for this week. Onward!

Our Ecuador welcoming committee!