July 14

Last night conditions were calm and we continued to motor sail in light winds from the SE. We were making 7-7.5k all night and in the morning after sunrise we stopped the engine to sail for a few hours in light air. This also enabled us to use the SSB radio to report our position on the morning net (which we do regularly while on passage). We sailed for 2 or 3 hours in light winds from the SE making 4.5-5.5k over ground. At about 10am we started the motor again and continued motor sailing. Conditions remain fine with bright sunshine, very little cloud and very calm seas. The wind remains very light at 6-9k and varies from SE to East.

The day passed without event motor sailing in light air. Some cloud cover came over us just before sunset but they were light and puffy and were moving off to the NW. By 8pm the sky was clear again and the wind began to move more to the East in a permanent way.

At 10pm the wind is now East to NE and has increased to 10k. Unfortunately, at this angle we are unable to sail as the wind is now behind the beam (i.e. coming more from aft then from fwd). Our speed is down to 6-6.5k and we continue to motor sail in calm seas. We now expect to reach Grafton Passage (the entrance through the Great Barrier Reef ) tomorrow at about 2pm. From there we have another 32 miles to reach Cairns which will take us app. 5 ½ hours, putting us in Cairns at around 7:30pm. Entering the harbor at night should be no problem as it is well lit and buoyed and the computer chart is reported to be very accurate.