Year 3 -25 June 2026 -Rounding Madagascar on route to South Africa
John and I were on watch between 8.00am and 12.00noon. We were still motoring and going well and barely had 45nm to go to the waypoint. By this time we were beginning to pick up the current down the bottom of Madagascar which can add up to about 2kts -so some 48nm over a 24-hour period. When were about 27nm from our waypoint the wind picked up and we put up the sails and then it died again some 10 minutes later. I had to be patient so in went the sails and on went the engine. I thought let’s get to the waypoint and then take it from there.
By the time we had 18nm to go the wind filled in properly and up went the sails again and we put out a full genoa and full main with the preventer on as we were on a broad reach. We were soon sailing 8-9 kts without any effort. It felt like we were finally off again. We had got round the bottom of Madagascar without meeting rough weather and/or a front-so thank you.
I decided to make a smoothie for everyone which lifts the spirits. We spent a lovely morning sailing in good wind with the sun out seeing 8’s, 9’s and some 10’s and one 11.7 as we surfed down the waves from time to time. The wind angle meant that we were a little off course but I knew the wind was going to move more ESE over the next 24 hours which would bring us back on track. In fact as the day wore on we came back on track. We had made 172nm in the 24 hours to Noon.
We had beef sandwiches for lunch with the leftovers from last night’s steak and this was followed by Keith’s banana cake. We continued to sail well and were making good speed. At one stage I looked we had done 117 nm in 14 hours. I had made contact with Des and he gave his forecast today as ENE/NE15-20 kts, swell S2.4m @ 11 seconds – cloud substantially clear -some isolated patches - light passing rain from NE possible - current SW1.7kts. Tomorrow wind E\ESE 18 gusts 24 - swell SE2.4m@10seconds - cloud clear - current SW1.5kts The big picture shows fairly favourable conditions up to Fri 3\7 when a S system hits Richards Bay with SW28 gusting 45 – you do not want to be anywhere close to that. I don't see any reason why you cannot maintain +-130nm\day which puts you in Richards Bay in 7days max - 2\7. To maximise current assist would recommend wpts -28 00S 40 52E - 28 00S 36 38E - depending on actuals -decision to head for Durban as opposed to Richards Bay but let's play day by day.
By my calculation we should get there between 4-5 days. In other words if we go well by the afternoon of the 30 June, otherwise the morning of the 1st of July. The afternoon wore on with Keith and Hisham taking over at 12.00noon and Jenny and Peter at 4.00pm. We continued with the same sail plan and were making 8’s and 9’s.
I set about cooking supper which was tuna with pesto on the top with couscous, broccoli and leak. It was all eaten with compliments. At the end of supper conditions went up a notch with gusts of 25-29 and so we out another reef in the main-meaning 3 reefs and changed the genoa for the staysail and I thought we should keep this for the night. We are still under this sail plan doing 7’s and 8’s which is a good speed and will lead to good miles.
John and I took over at 8.00pm and I turned on the generator to charge batteries and to make water which all worked. During the day I took down the French flag for Reunion and put up the South African courtesy flag with the Q flag (yellow duster).
We settled down for the night making good speed and hope the good winds continue to speed us along to Durban. Des has given us 2 waypoints to go through on way to maximise the South-westerly current from Madagascar. We will continue to monitor the situation and still hope to make Durban straight rather than go to Richards Bay first. Things can change daily.
The picture of the day is Stormbird sailing along.
Need/Opportunity Year Three
I am now in Mauritius and will be going to Reunion, Cape Town, St Helena, Azores and back to the UK.
I have now found additional crew for Mauritius to Durban. There may be space from Durban to Cape Town from about the beginning of July and we should arrive in Cape Town on about 25-30 July 2026. If at all interested contact me on my email below or WhatsApp +44 7931360372.
The blog will continue as we continue the journey. If you have any comments or suggestions about the blog then do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com