Westing?

Day 1: 04/15/2018 Sailing south from Cabo San Lucas

We are sailing on a beat south from San Jose Del Cabo to try and find a wind that will allow us to make some westing more toward our destination. The current wind models tell us this course of action will get us to the Marquesas quickest. As we go along we will monitor the weather via several sources that we have aboard, and keep altering our course to hopefully make the most efficient passage possible.

Watch Schedule

Sailing with four people is a new treat for us as it allows for much better rest, and a more agreeable crew. Our watches are three hours with 9 hours of scheduled sleep between them. So far this is working well for everyone. Currently the watch schedule is:
1200-1500 Cormac
1500-1800 Rand
1800-2100 Guy
2100-2400 Melissa
0000-0300 Cormac
0300-0600 Rand
0600-0900 Guy
0900-1200 Melissa
(All times are local Boat time, which is UTC -7)

We were trying to set up the watch schedule so that Melissa did not have the watch with the most squalls near the equator, but fear we may have done exactly the opposite and may have to move them around as we get closer to the equator.

Light Airs and Motoring

Four people living in a space that is 46 feet by 13 feet has a social dance all its own. The crew seems to be settling into an easy pattern and everyone is being kind and considerate of each other. Cooking duties so far have been spread among all of us. Navigation is Guy’s job, but everyone is willing to check over the course and calculations, and eager to discuss various options.

We motored 3 hours this morning after taking on fuel before we found some wind, and have been sailing since.
Currently the wind is 12 knots apparent; we are scooting along at better than 7 knots. The Cape Horn wind vane (We have named him Jeeves)is steering and doing a great job.

Position: 22*16.81N 109*45.7W 153*  7.11 SOG (speed over ground) 153 COG (course over ground)