Strong trade winds!

Hi crew:

We’re trying to get to Honolulu, but the winds and the currents are against us! We’ve moved out of the zone of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the Northeast Trade Winds converge with the Southeast Trade Winds. This clash of air masses causes the warm moist air to rise
giving us the zone of high precipitation that characterizes the tropics. Now that we are north of the ITCZ, the surface winds (NE Trades) are flowing horizontal. These winds are rushing toward the equator to replace the rising air. The JR is heading in a northeasterly direction; right into the Trades. The last 3 days we have had steady 25-35 knot winds. This situation is compounded by the fact that the North
Equatorial Current flows from east to west, so we’re being partially slowed by ocean currents as well. Our top speed has only been 6-7 knots (typically the JR can do 11 knots, pedal to the metal). Today’s picture doesn’t quite capture the intensity of the wind. The choppy seas (8-9 ft.) are superimposed on some long wavelength swells (~100 ft) up with wave heights to 15 ft. It’s like being on a roller coaster ride 24-7. I’m enjoying it!
Mark L.