Distance sailed in last 24 hours: 214 nm
Distance to Honokohau, Hawaii: 1367 nm
Latitude: 14 44.087 N
Longitude: 133 43.468 W
COG: 284M
SOG: 8.5 kts under sail
Wind: 14 kts N
Seas: 3 ft E swell, 3 ft wind waves
Weather: 30% Cloud Cover
Barometric Pressure: 1012.6, rising
Sea Temperature: 78 F
First, we'd like to point out that sometime today, we expect to cross latitude 135 W. This will mark yet another time zone change for us, from -0800 to -0900 or just one hour ahead of Hawaii. Please expect tomorrow's update to be an hour or so later. Now, back to your regularly scheduled passage update.
The aquatic invaders launched a full scale attack yesterday morning. In our rounds on deck, we found two squid and seven flying fish. One of the squid tried to make a beachhead on the seat inside cockpit before lack of water got the better of him. After marveling at their tenacious spirit, we helped them all back into the ocean. The decks are becoming littered with the blue-grey scales of the fallen.
After breakfast, the wind shifted aft again, and Phillip started to say the "s" word. Kelly convinced him that we should come up and sail a more direct course for the big island rather than take a chance with the chute. Overall, conditions remain pleasant with Samadhi continuing to make fast time across the sea. The wind started to slack around 1200Z (4 a.m. Samadhi Time), and until almost 1500Z (7 a.m. ST) we were showing an average speed of 9.0 kts for the day, our best yet. (It dropped down to 8.9 kts by 9 a.m. ST.)
In the afternoon, we realized that we've got way too many eggs on board, not to mention too much food in general. Given that we're now looking at stable conditions and are relatively close to our destination, we decided we didn't need to ration what amounts to a two-week, 15 egg/day reserve. For afternoon snack, Kelly made a "puffy pancake" with five of the little beauties. It tasted especially good with Renate's recipe for preserved passionfruit (maracuyá). Of course, the boys preferred their traditional pure maple syrup. Chacun à son goût!
Phil apparently drew the short straw and got the "thrilling" watch last night. Around 1100Z (3 a.m. ST), there was an amazing "BANG" on deck that sounded like a rifle shot. After recovering from having a few years of his life rudely ripped away from him, he went to investigate. On deck, he found the remains of the fatigued aluminum bracket that was holding the soft vang in place on the mast. Phillip had reused the remaining half of the rigid vang bracket as an attachment point for the soft vang. Yes, that means we're once again sailing without a boom vang. Today, we'll work on making a new attachment point for it, Phillip plans to attack the problem with Spectra this time. Hopefully, this puts an end to the excitement the vang can dish out for this trip.
Pat and Stan have been helping us to do research on where exactly to make landfall in the islands. After talking to the port at Hilo, it seems like they wouldn't know what to do with a small vessel like us. Instead of running the risk, we decided to look at other options for a port of entry. Right now, our first choice is Honokohau Smal Boat Harbor on the Kona sida of big island of Hawaii. We have been in touch with the harbor agent and started arrangements for our arrival. Once we confirm that they'll have a mooring for us, we'll be able to say for sure that's where we're headed. Thanks to Pat and Stan for all your help! (And, don't worry Stan. We won't be able to stay away from your stanwiches for long!)
The sea surface temperature continues to plunge. It's amazing how much the temperature affects us. Suddenly, the tap water is several degrees cooler than before and the refrigeration systems consuming considerably less electricity. The past couple of days, we've been seeing temperatures averaging about 78 or 79ºF (or "freezing" according to the boys). Last night on watch, we even saw a reading of 75ºF. That's a far cry from the 93ºF we were sitting becalmed in a few weeks ago! We no longer need to run fans at night to be able to get to sleep. In fact, we've gotten out light fleece blankets to keep us warm at night. Nicholas even wrapped himself in a light blanket while studying yesterday!
Thanks to the waning moon, our night watches are getting darker all the time. This means much of what the ocean is doing around us is a mystery except as interpreted through the motion of Samadhi. It's really tricky to adjust the autopilot without visual feedback. On the other hand, the darkness gives us a better view of the Southern Cross (Crux) and the phosphorescence around us. It's amazing to think that we'll have watched the entire cycle of this moon from sea.
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