We arrived Suwarrow PM on July 4th. 3 hours before arrival, we took a big wave and Gray Matter rolled 35 degrees. This is the most roll motion we’ve ever had – chairs in the salon fell over, microwave slided on the counter. The worse, which we discovered after arrival, the tool box in the engine room, which has never moved, fell over. We were luckily it missed the fuel line of the main engine by a few inches … At the end of the day, we learned important lessons on how to prep the boat for ocean crossing. More importantly, better to avoid those conditions going forward – no reason to push so close to the limit. So now we are tucked in Suwarrow. It has been very windy all day long and we are happy we are inside the lagoon. We spent the whole day cleaning up Gray Matter and plan to spend the next few days exploring. [google-map-v3 width=”350″ height=”350″ zoom=”7″ maptype=”satellite” mapalign=”center” directionhint=”false” language=”default” poweredby=”false” maptypecontrol=”true” pancontrol=”true” zoomcontrol=”true” scalecontrol=”true” streetviewcontrol=”true” scrollwheelcontrol=”false” draggable=”true” tiltfourtyfive=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkerlist=”-13.250,-163.108{}cruiseship.png” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]
I’m glad to hear that you faired well and that nothing was really damaged. Where were you when the wave hit, physically? Pilot house?
When the biggest wave hit, Mark was in the pilothouse, and I was in the salon – trying to make lunch actually. Both chairs in the salon fell over. I ran up and Mark told me Gray Matter rolled 35 degrees – a record.
That trip definitely taught us to be more respectful for mother nature ….
OK That would be scary! Bolt that toolbox down tight!! These adventures sound amazing just remember to be safe!!!
We miss you at Westpoint Harbor.
Jim and Janet
Sounds like you fared better than the Asiana pilots at SFO!
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.christianpost.com/full/61956/an-aerial-view-of-an-asiana-airlines-boeing-777-plane-is-seen-after-it-crashed-while-landing-at-san-francisco-international-airport-in-california-on-july-6-2013-two-people-were-killed-and-more-than-100-hospitalized-after-the-plane-crash-landed-at-san-fr.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.christianpost.com/news/asiana-airlines-crash-at-sfo-2-dead-182-hospitalized-in-san-francisco-video-photos-99517/&h=667&w=1000&sz=847&tbnid=dh5EX4yU4qxdeM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=135&prev=/search%3Fq%3DAsiana%2BCrash%2BPhotos%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=Asiana+Crash+Photos&usg=__j1rR6z1ZPJtTlvleb-U2-L_naqA=&docid=6sKX4LTzOG3wvM&sa=X&ei=ax3fUeiEPOSKiAKqt4CIBg&ved=0CEcQ9QEwBA&dur=1922
Geez. Glad you survived all that drama! I think that was your wake up call on how much risk to take…which is the upside. I have been quite anxious to see you arrive in Tonga. Your party in the anchorage at Suwarrow sounded really special! Have fun and be safe!!