Sea Monster - in the Indian Ocean

Hi from The Monsters!

We are off again! We crossed the start line at Cocos Keeling at 11:00 local time (GMT +6:30) and in 15 days / 2350 NM across the Indian Ocean we will be in Mauritius!

We’re starting the circumnavigation adventure across the most difficult ocean (!) but who doesn’t like a challenge?!? We are following the tradewinds: generally we will be sailing along a high pressure system, and there is a developing low to the north of Chagos. If that comes down towards our course at all, it will push the high pressure system south, and in turn we will head further south to stay in the high. The low pressure system could turn into a cyclone (there was one in the area last week) but historically it is too early in the season for these to be regular. For the first week, the winds will be 18-22kt, and towards the end of the week, building with occasional squalls.

As we left Cocos, the sea was rolling from behind and we had only 0.5-1m swell as we were still protected a bit by the islands. Now 2h on, the sea is 1-1.5m with an occasional bigger roller. We have put the spinnaker up and are speeding along at 9.5-10kt.

You can see our track at https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-SeaMonster/ where we will post the occasional photo, and you can follow the “race” on the app “YB Races” tracking “World ARC 2024-2025”. And we have updates from the feline on Facebook @Billie The Bengal Goes Sailing