Sept 30 - Enroute to Hawaii Day 15

1200 (2200Z)
position- N16deg36min/W150deg27min
day 14 run - 127 nm
avg speed - 5.3 kn
wind - NNE-NNW 6-8 kn
The evening sail was slow, and this morning at 0715 we put up our reacher/drifter. This is a very large light weight sail used in very light winds, and it pulls Infini along at 3.5-5 knots, depending on the gusts we get. We'll motor if we have to, but we're all agreed to sail into Hilo, even though it appears it may take us an extra day or so due to a high pressure weather system just north of Hawaii causing light winds in our vicinity for a while. We're doing 2 hour shifts each; 2 hours on, then 4 hours off, just enough to get some good sleep.

Sept 29 - Enroute to Hawaii Day 14

1200 (2200Z)
position - N15deg18min/W148deg47min
day 13 run - 132 nm
avg speed - 5.5 kn
course 305T
wind 10 NNE 10 knots
We had a slow night in gradually diminishing winds. Max and I had a battle of wills this morning. He felt I should do the steering, and I kept reminding him that was what he was paid to do as a bonafide member of the crew. His reply was that he just wanted the company, and felt better about things when I was hovering nearby, adding course corrections and tweaking lines. He had a complete change of attitude when I tightened up a shackle pin that had about fallen out (it wasn't wire tied...since corrected) which secures the steering lines to the shoulder of the vane, and voila, Max felt much better about everything. Winds are forecast to be 10-15 over the next few days, but we've long ago learned to heed what we get, not necessarily what the gribs or forecast calls for, although it's nice to know nothing serious wx wise is brewing.

Sept 28 - Enroute to Hawaii Day 13

1200 noon position - N14deg00min/W147deg01min
day 12 run - 165 nm
avg speed - 6.9 kn (we be surfin, mon)
winds - NNE, avg 15 knots; we saw 22 in the gusts last night.
seas - 6' - 8'
We had a wonderful day's run in fairly constant wind conditions; 15-18 knots on the beam (the side of the boat amidships); Infini likes that sort of sailing; reflected in our highest daily run of this passage. Max has, so far, been doing a great job steering, but occasionally needs attention. We're about 550 nm away from Hilo. All's well aboard.

Sept 27 - Enroute to Hawaii Day 12

1200 (2200Z) position - N12deg24min/W144deg47min
day 11 run - 123 nm
average speed - 5.1 kn
course - 300T
wind - NE 14-18; gusts to 22 knots
seas - 6'
We sailed most of the night, dodging rain squalls, and saw one ship (our first!) about 6 nm away from us. At 0515 we motored due to lack of wind, but found a good breeze about 0700, and have been flying down our rhumb line since. We have our full main and yankee jib out, and are sailing Infini like a big dinghy; with the higher gusts we fall off, or release the main sheet, or both, and adjust the boom vang in or out; thus allowing us to maintain our relative course fairly close. It's takes concentration and work! Waves are about 6' on the beam, but aren't rolling us too badly except for the occasional rogue wave that doesn't know how it should behave. The two boats ahead of us will make port at least 1-2 days in advance of us, and we plan on renting car(s) to tour the Big Island together upon our arrival. The sun is trying to poke its way out; the stars (though very briefly) were a welcome sight last night. All's well aboard.

Sept 26 - Enroute to Hawaii Day 11

1200 position - N10deg59.7min/W143deg29.8min
Day 10 run - 117 nm
course - 300T
speed - 4.5-5 kn
wind - NE 10-12
seas - 6'
Last night was a mixed bag. The wind died completely and we motored 9 hours in a frustrating swell, slatting around listening to the injection pump surging, hoping the engine wouldn't quit, in constant drizzle. Are we having fun yet? Finally, the wind came up in the early morning hours, and we've had a nice NE wind at 10-15 knots, allowing us to point, more or less, towards Hilo. We're still not quite out of the ITCZ, which we expect to be later tonight so we can see stars and clouds more easily. So far, it's been 100% cloud cover, and we've used the radar to look for and follow rain squalls. Right now we've actually got a bit of bright haze showing, and the crew celebrated by taking salt water bucket showers (followed by a sunshower fresh water rinse) on deck. Max is doing a good job, and all's well aboard.

Sat Sept 25 - Day 10 Enroute to Hawaii

1200 (2200Z) position - N09deg25min/W142deg33min
day 9 run - 108 nm
course - 335T
wind - NNE 14 kn; we've seen 20 in some higher gusts
speed - 5.5 kn
We're still in the ITCZ. It's been 100% overcast and drizzling most of the night and early morning. We finally found a NNE breeze last night after motoring for 6 hours in 5-6 knots of wind and confused seas, and were able to shut the engine and return to sailing. At 0500 I found our port jib sheet frayed thru, with just its core sheeted onto the winch. Oh boy. The NE, NNE winds were supposed to come up stronger, and having the jib sheet completely break wouldn't be a good thing. First, we furled the jib; I then took the starboard (lazy) sheet around and led it thru the turning and cheek blocks to the winch. I then found another long piece of line to attach with a carrick bend to the old jib sheet where had I cut it. It will be our lazy sheet; not an ideal solution, but it should get us to Hawaii, and we were putting together an order for new standing rigging anyway. Otherwise, the current in this patch of ocean is probably one knot against us. We're making a slow turn towards Hilo, and hoping to get thru the ITCZ sometime tonight or tomorrow, when we'll experience clear skies once again. Approximately 956 miles to go to Hilo.

Sept. 24 - Day 9 Enroute to Hawaii

1200 position - N07deg45min/W142deg04min
Day 8 run - 132 nm
avg speed - 5.5 kn
wind yesterday during the day and evening - South @ 15 kn; about an hour ago it shifted to SW @ 12-15
There was 100% cloud cover last night with a light drizzle. Right now it's bright, but not sunny. There's a 100% high cloud cover but no rain. We just gybed over to port tack and our course is 345T. Earlier, I had to go up the forestay to change out a chafed bowline knot on the jib sheet, which occurred when the pole topping lift strop gave way, hitting the bowline. Yesterday I went about a third of the way up the inner forestay to retrieve the errant pole lift halyard. When said strop let go, the halyard proceeded to wrap itself around the headstay, jib, and inner forestay, as well as jammed the Profurl at the top swivel, so immediate attention was needed. We were thankful it was still daylight. Sue took some pictures and videos of the maneuvers; we'll try to post them on the blog when we get internet in Hawaii. About 1045 nm to go to Hilo.

Sept. 23 - Enroute to Hawaii Day 8

Position: N05deg37min/W142deg00min
Day 7 run: 121 nm
Avg speed: 5.0 kn
Wind: SE 15 kn
Seas: SE 6'
Our seven day stats: Total miles - 915 nm; avg nm/24 hrs - 131; avg speed - 5.5 kn

We did a 0300 in the morning gybe as the adverse current was quite noticeable and pushing us the wrong way. This morning we put up a double reefed main; opposite the jib - wing and wing as it were, and with the yankee poled to windward, we're rolling but doing a respectable 5+ knots as well as going in the right direction. It appears we have a slot in the ITCZ directly in front of us that has much less convective activity, so we're trying to go due North asap. We have a few good weather sources reporting daily; and with comparing notes with Sherry on Soggy Paws...we're doing the best we can. So far it's been smooth sailing! Max (the wind vane) is steering fine, a bit by the lee, but we're making tracks.
It was a special day to have a huge pod of dolphins visit and play around the boat.