Position: S02deg28min/W140deg57min
Day 3 run: 122 nm.
Avg speed 5.1 knots
Wind E 10 knots; seas E 4'-6'
Winds have definitely moderated, as well as swung further aft of the beam. We've had a hell of a time trying to get the wind vane to steer the boat, to release us from what I call "the tyranny of steering." We're still tweaking it and using various sail combinations, but hey, it's only another 1583 nm to Hilo....All in all, the weather has been beautiful; there's a slight coolness to the breeze, but the sun's shining and we expect to cross the equator tomorrow. All's well aboard. Our 3 person watch schedule is working out fine, and we all seem to be getting plenty of rest. The fishing lure's out, but we still haven't caught fish #2!
We use the PacSea Net to check in daily...
...the Pacific Seafarers Net is on 14300HZ USB at 0300 UTC, and we check in daily with them while on passage. The Net takes info from any vessel underway in the Pacific; it's really interesting to tune in and listen to other folks out there. My HAM call sign is KJ4IHF, and we can receive traffic (calls to us) via this Net. This is a HAM net, and you've got to have a HAM license to talk on that frequency, but in an emergency they'll take any calls. Any HAMS out there? 73's, Mike
Sat. Sept. 18 - Day 3 Enroute to Hawaii
Position S04deg27min/W140deg39min. Day 2 run: 131 nm. Avg speed: 5.5 knots. We had a beautiful afternoon and evening of sailing in 12-15 knots of wind and pretty flat seas. Winds are forecast to lighten up a bit to 10-12 knots. Don't know whether the Yotreps position dot is working or not on our "Find Where We Are" portion of our blog as the NMEA input into SailMail isn't working properly. Always something. Otherwise, all's well aboard and not much else new to report.
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Sept 17 - Enroute to Hawaii, Day 2
12 noon position: lat S06deg34min; longW140deg18min. Had a wonderful Day 1; our run was 134 nm, I think that's really good for having to get used to being at sea again. As usual, the wind vane is temperamental, maybe because it felt ignored for so long! At any rate, we're all doing fine. The day's highlight: Matt caught a 5-6 lb black fin tuna; perfect for sashimi!
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Sept. 16th - Day 1 Enroute to Hilo, Hawaii
Position: S08deg40min; W140deg03min
We departed Anaho Bay at 1100 and are doing 5-6 knots in 15 knots of ENE wind.Matt and Sue tossed their lei's into the ocean....in the tradition to hope for a safe return visit some day. Seas are OK, and we're getting used to the motion of being at sea again, as well as trying to dial in the self steering. Lots to do this first day.
Anaho Bay, Nuku Hiva Sept. 11, 2010
We've motorsailed six hours around the eastern side to a lovely bay on the NE coast of Nuku Hiva. We were entertained by two different schools of dolphins, and great scenery. Our friends on Soggy Paws traveled the western side and joined us here. The cliffs, peaks and valleys are very picturesque...and we look forward to exploring and walking the trails and over the ridge to Hatiheu. For now it's small boat projects; swimming with the huge feeding manta rays that frequent this bay...and relaxing. Matthew has the BBC 'Wild Pacific' series on hard drive, so we've had a few movie nights with our friends.
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Sept. 6 - Checking out of French Polynesia....
A few days ago we hiked to the southeast ridge of Taiohoe Bay and had wonderful views of the bay and ocean. Yesterday we explored a seldom visited site and visited a local marae called Paepae. It's a large ceremonial area with tikis from around the various islands of French Polynesia. (See updated photo album). Aboard, last minute preparations are underway to do final shopping, a final laundry, get our internet fix, and check out with the Gendarmerie. And, of course, we had to have our last cheeseburger (the best in the Marquesas!) at Babazouks, a waterfront roulette not to be missed, and run by our dear friends Laurent and Laetitia! It's hard to believe we've been in French Polynesia for almost six months! Hawaii here we come! We'll miss having daily wifi, but for anyone emailing us, please use our SailMail address and, again, no forwards or attachments please. With no internet until Hawaii, we won't be able to upload anymore pictures for a while, but Sue updated our picture albums yesterday, so enjoy! Our 2000 nm track to Hawaii can also be followed on Yotreps (KJ4IHF - Infini; note: we hope we've got Yotreps set up for proper position reporting!). Our next blog entries will be when we're underway, so our best to everyone and hope to hear from you!
Comptroller Bay, Nuku Hiva, Aug. 30
S08deg.52.8 / W140deg.02.7
We motored (after trying to motorsail) the 12 miles to windward to get to Comptroller Bay, where we anchored in the middle 'finger'- Hakahaa Bay; the closest to the village of Taipivai. The weather was overcast and rainy, but the beauty of the valley was not lost. We walked the 'horseshoe loop around the valley from one side of the bay, across the river, to the other side where we visited Bernard, a local artist who carves bone and shell. His wife makes jewelry out of the local seeds. We chose not to do extensive hiking to find the area Herman Melville hid out back in the 1840's, as Matt is recuperating from a sore ankle and 'nono' bites from our last walk. It still amazes me that one or two people out of a big group will get targeted for the kisses of the insect world. He inherits Michael's sensitivities for that. We spent one night before returning to Taiohae to join our friends on Soggy Paws again, and to do the last of our provisioning and get the last internet fix before Hawaii.
The picture is of Matt in his favorite spot on Infini.
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