Well,it is official - we are cruisers again. YAY! Spent the morning Friday finishing up with emails and other boat prep odds and ends. Josh and Dennis returned the cable boxes ours and Moondance's)and did a final Safeway run and brought home lunch from KFC. What will life be without MONSTER and the Colonel? Brett and Suzanne, whose boat name I cannot pronounce help cast us off at 1430. Then came the circus at the fuel dock. Of course we get there at the only time in my memory that there where boats waiting in line. But several hundred dollars and a bit of frustration later, we were all fueled up and heading out the channel - behind a barge. We were able to say our farewells to Ron on Serenity on the VHF. He was just returning from Kauai. For all the R&R folks, he had a good trip (24hours) winds never above 25, broke something on his reefing rig that he had to fix at 0200, dodged a few barges, but otherwise no problems, home safe and sound. Karen and Ed supposed to be leaving today. Winds are supposed to be lighter. Hope they have a good trip as well.
After leaving Ron, we motored over to Electric beach, anchored for a few while Josh dove on the prop and bottom of the boat. All was well, so we left for Pokai Bay. The winds ranged from 2 to 25 knots. We had the staysail and the double reefed main up. Made Pokai by 1830. Had steaks on the BBQ and listened to the live music coming from the beach. Was a good night, but not necessarily a quiet night - Friday night in Waianae was hopping. More sirens than I have heard in a long time. Reminded us of how quiet Ko Olina is.
Today we are having a leisurely morning. I am going to try my hand at making loco Moco - a local dish with rice, spam or hamburger, fried eggs and gravy. Dennis and Josh put together brownies for my birthday - smells yummy! I guess it is my birthday I could have brownines for breakfast if I wanted..... We are trying to bribe Josh to swim in the last bag of garbage. Maybe after I feed him?
Day one tomorrow
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Sunday, June 16, 2013
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Friday
Well we are stowing, securing and tying down the last few things and our captain is still in go mode. Yee Haw Fanning here we come!
Friday, June 14, 2013
Final last night at the dock
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Captain has determined the weather window will be open tomorrow, so slip on your life jacket, clip into the jack lines, cast off the dock lines, bring you tray tables to their full upright and locked position, grab hold and off we go. Finally.
Spent our last day doing land-based things. Slept in, went to a movie (Iron Man 3- liked by all of us), had a big soft drink with ice, drove to the end of the road going north (Ka'aena point), bought ice and had ice cold bottle beer, went for a last walk around the lagoons and spent time on the computer.
So, the plan for tomorrow is to leave the dock, put up the sails (move the first reef to the third position), make sure the electronics and new furling lines are working correctly, then anchor at Pokai Bay (not too far up the coast) for the night. Saturday we will have a leisurely morning, secure the things we forgot but made themselves known on the trip to Pokai or overnight, and head out. We expect the first couple of days to be a mixed bag of conditions. Calm (read motoring) behind the Islands, and a bit wild as we cross between Islands (the wind funnels thru creating waves and yeah lots of wind). As we pass the southwest corner of the big Island (Hawaii) the seas are usually pretty confused, and again the winds increase as they compress and wrap around the Island. After that it will be somewhat more consistent (or at least as consistent as sailing gets). There will be squalls to look out for, and as usual I am wishing for wind behind the beam (or trades with a more northern component) as that makes for a more comfortable ride. No matter though - it is only 900 miles to Fanning Island, our first stop. In other words only about 7 days a short hop by cruiser standards.
I think we are all ready to go on several different levels - it is really hard being in the no man's land between land life and cruising life. Hardest on Josh I think. He is really awesome about all this, but multiple goodbyes are no fun. Have to say again how lucky we are with him. He deals with all of this and us better than most adults would. Sure hope he looks back on it as a good experience.
With any luck at all, I will be posting from the SSB for the next month or so.
This is WDD7203 standing by.
Spent our last day doing land-based things. Slept in, went to a movie (Iron Man 3- liked by all of us), had a big soft drink with ice, drove to the end of the road going north (Ka'aena point), bought ice and had ice cold bottle beer, went for a last walk around the lagoons and spent time on the computer.
So, the plan for tomorrow is to leave the dock, put up the sails (move the first reef to the third position), make sure the electronics and new furling lines are working correctly, then anchor at Pokai Bay (not too far up the coast) for the night. Saturday we will have a leisurely morning, secure the things we forgot but made themselves known on the trip to Pokai or overnight, and head out. We expect the first couple of days to be a mixed bag of conditions. Calm (read motoring) behind the Islands, and a bit wild as we cross between Islands (the wind funnels thru creating waves and yeah lots of wind). As we pass the southwest corner of the big Island (Hawaii) the seas are usually pretty confused, and again the winds increase as they compress and wrap around the Island. After that it will be somewhat more consistent (or at least as consistent as sailing gets). There will be squalls to look out for, and as usual I am wishing for wind behind the beam (or trades with a more northern component) as that makes for a more comfortable ride. No matter though - it is only 900 miles to Fanning Island, our first stop. In other words only about 7 days a short hop by cruiser standards.
I think we are all ready to go on several different levels - it is really hard being in the no man's land between land life and cruising life. Hardest on Josh I think. He is really awesome about all this, but multiple goodbyes are no fun. Have to say again how lucky we are with him. He deals with all of this and us better than most adults would. Sure hope he looks back on it as a good experience.
With any luck at all, I will be posting from the SSB for the next month or so.
This is WDD7203 standing by.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Wednesday -Ok, so maybe not....
Right, so the chip came yesterday (Tuesday), worked fine. We were on track today (Wednesday) to leave around noonish. On his way to return the cable box (internet) Dennis spoke with Ryan our coast guard neighbor who said the forecast for the next two days called for high winds - in the 40 knot range. Now, I am pretty adventurous, but with that kind of wind, comes wind waves - in other words an uncomfortable ride. So, we decided to hang out at the dock (where there is internet and ice and showers) for a couple more days. The current, tentative, maybe if the stars align just right plan is to head out to Pokai Bay (about 2 hours away) on Friday to get our sea legs and make sure we and the boat remember how to do this thing. Then head south on Saturday. As I said, that is the current plan - no promises.
Just another example of our ongoing love-hate relationship with the wind. We don't want too much or too little - we want it to be just right. Or at least within the range of just right. Seems kind of crazy, and if we had only been stopped for a couple of months, we may have just gone on. But, since I haven't been on the water since Thanksgiving, discretion is the better option. I really want to go, but not that bad. Sort of like leaving for San Francisco from Tracy on a Monday morning at 0700 - just for fun. Not! I have to keep telling myself that we are not in a rush (which we are not) and to just chill. It will come back to me, but right now am still in work, get ready and go mode.
On the up side - the boat is in very good order. We can pretty much relax until we go. I even cleaned things not on my list today! Josh got a driving lesson in the jeep and according to Dennis did real well. I made muffins and enchiladas, cleaned the fiberglass in the cockpit (Collonite Fiberglass boat cleaner - great stuff), cleaned the stainless in the sinks (gross - really guys? just say no to cleaning varnish brushes in my very expensive sink) and played barber for Dennis. All in all a pretty good day - oh yeah and the laundry is done.
So, I will keep you posted on our ever changing plans.
Oh, and it seems the blog is in a different time zone than me - this was written by me on Wednesday at 1900 hours
Just another example of our ongoing love-hate relationship with the wind. We don't want too much or too little - we want it to be just right. Or at least within the range of just right. Seems kind of crazy, and if we had only been stopped for a couple of months, we may have just gone on. But, since I haven't been on the water since Thanksgiving, discretion is the better option. I really want to go, but not that bad. Sort of like leaving for San Francisco from Tracy on a Monday morning at 0700 - just for fun. Not! I have to keep telling myself that we are not in a rush (which we are not) and to just chill. It will come back to me, but right now am still in work, get ready and go mode.
On the up side - the boat is in very good order. We can pretty much relax until we go. I even cleaned things not on my list today! Josh got a driving lesson in the jeep and according to Dennis did real well. I made muffins and enchiladas, cleaned the fiberglass in the cockpit (Collonite Fiberglass boat cleaner - great stuff), cleaned the stainless in the sinks (gross - really guys? just say no to cleaning varnish brushes in my very expensive sink) and played barber for Dennis. All in all a pretty good day - oh yeah and the laundry is done.
So, I will keep you posted on our ever changing plans.
Oh, and it seems the blog is in a different time zone than me - this was written by me on Wednesday at 1900 hours
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
The countdown has resumed
Looks like we are really going to leave tomorrow. The new chip arrived today, and all systems are good to go.
We ended this stay in Hawaii as we started it - Dinner (late) at Chuck's. Only this time we knew our waiter (same one as on that first night - thanksgivinig eve 2011), knew the woman delivering drinks (Kristin), and knew how and what to order - fish and chips for me, salad bar for Dennis and maitais. We were also in time to see the fire dancers, the finale to the resort Luau. Not bad.
Josh is in Honolulu for a final night with friends - so all is good in everyone's world.
Still have a few items to stow, a meal to cook, laundry final load, keys to return and cable box to return, but we should be done and out of the slip by noon. Hopefully I am not being too optimistic, but really we are in good shape.
Now, if only the wind and weather cooperate. The first day and a half will be a mixed bag as we navigate behind the Islands - no wind, thru the passes - lots of wind and repeat until we reach the southern end of the big island which can be pretty windy with mixed seas as the trades wrap around it. After that it will be back to the regular, irregular. Hopefully there will be some wind and not too many squalls.
Our first stop is Fanning Island, part of the Line Islands in the country of Kiribati. It is about 900 miles from here - pretty much due south. After that it will be short hops from island to island. Christmas Island, Kiribati, (another Line Island), and then we will see which ones we stop at before heading to Samoa, Western Samoa, then Fiji. Fiji will be our main destination this summer. Sometime in August (probably towards the end) we will head to Tonga, hang out there for a while and then wait for a good weather window to head to New Zealand sometime in October. All of this is pretty loose - as we try not to sail to a set schedule. If we like it we will stay longer, if we don't we will leave and find someplace we do like.
We are all looking forward to going back on cruiser time. I am the only one that wears a watch. Our schedules are pretty weird during crossings, as someone in almost always trying to sleep. We seem to have a system that works for us, and that is all that matters.
I will be posting via sailmail until Samoa or maybe even Fiji. Look forward to hearing from you
We ended this stay in Hawaii as we started it - Dinner (late) at Chuck's. Only this time we knew our waiter (same one as on that first night - thanksgivinig eve 2011), knew the woman delivering drinks (Kristin), and knew how and what to order - fish and chips for me, salad bar for Dennis and maitais. We were also in time to see the fire dancers, the finale to the resort Luau. Not bad.
Josh is in Honolulu for a final night with friends - so all is good in everyone's world.
Still have a few items to stow, a meal to cook, laundry final load, keys to return and cable box to return, but we should be done and out of the slip by noon. Hopefully I am not being too optimistic, but really we are in good shape.
Now, if only the wind and weather cooperate. The first day and a half will be a mixed bag as we navigate behind the Islands - no wind, thru the passes - lots of wind and repeat until we reach the southern end of the big island which can be pretty windy with mixed seas as the trades wrap around it. After that it will be back to the regular, irregular. Hopefully there will be some wind and not too many squalls.
Our first stop is Fanning Island, part of the Line Islands in the country of Kiribati. It is about 900 miles from here - pretty much due south. After that it will be short hops from island to island. Christmas Island, Kiribati, (another Line Island), and then we will see which ones we stop at before heading to Samoa, Western Samoa, then Fiji. Fiji will be our main destination this summer. Sometime in August (probably towards the end) we will head to Tonga, hang out there for a while and then wait for a good weather window to head to New Zealand sometime in October. All of this is pretty loose - as we try not to sail to a set schedule. If we like it we will stay longer, if we don't we will leave and find someplace we do like.
We are all looking forward to going back on cruiser time. I am the only one that wears a watch. Our schedules are pretty weird during crossings, as someone in almost always trying to sleep. We seem to have a system that works for us, and that is all that matters.
I will be posting via sailmail until Samoa or maybe even Fiji. Look forward to hearing from you
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Addition of tracker to blog
Trying to get fancy - added the map with our position posts on it. Seems like it takes a long time to load, but is working. The URL for the actual website is http://shiptrak.org. Enter our call sign KI6HAI in to the box at the top and enter. It also takes a while to load, but you can also see any comments we posted with the position report. Hopefully this technology won't bite back....
Sunday, June 9, 2013
T minus 1 and holding - Houston we have a problem
10 Motor - check
9 Sails - check
8 watermaker - check
7 generator - check
6 provisions - check
5 outboard - check
4 SSB - check
3 laundry (5 loads) - done check
2 updated charts - check
1 chart plotter functioning - not!!!
So, we were mostly on track to head out tomorrow. Dennis was working on the charts last night and lo and behold the new upgraded charts would not work on the chart plotter. After a late night and much muttering and head scratching he was able to upgrade the software on the chart plotter this morning. Crazy thing uses compact flash drives - in the megabyte range. Unheard of these days!!! Worked it out though. New NZ charts working fine. Old charts, with $150.00 worth of upgrades - not so much. Pretty sure the chart plotter upgrade corrupted those files causing a catastrophic fail. Cannot get this chart chip on Island, I mean why would we be able to get Pacific Islands charts in Hawaii (a Pacific Island)?? By this time the west coast was closed. Were finally able to get a hold of Waypoint in Alameda - for a price they will go in tomorrow (Sunday) set up a chip and ship it out Monday first thing. We should have it by Tuesday, and be out of here on Wednesday - should being the operative word. Really, as much as I love technology, there are times when it really is a pain in the butt!
We pressed on regardless however. The boat is looking pretty good. Both dinghies are on deck, one of three weather cloths is up, new fishing pole holders installed, settee free of provisions, our patch of the dock is looking pretty bare. I even cooked dinner - for the second night in a row. Who knows we may have to relax......
So Houston, we are in a holding pattern and expect the countdown to resume on Tuesday. I will keep you updated....
9 Sails - check
8 watermaker - check
7 generator - check
6 provisions - check
5 outboard - check
4 SSB - check
3 laundry (5 loads) - done check
2 updated charts - check
1 chart plotter functioning - not!!!
So, we were mostly on track to head out tomorrow. Dennis was working on the charts last night and lo and behold the new upgraded charts would not work on the chart plotter. After a late night and much muttering and head scratching he was able to upgrade the software on the chart plotter this morning. Crazy thing uses compact flash drives - in the megabyte range. Unheard of these days!!! Worked it out though. New NZ charts working fine. Old charts, with $150.00 worth of upgrades - not so much. Pretty sure the chart plotter upgrade corrupted those files causing a catastrophic fail. Cannot get this chart chip on Island, I mean why would we be able to get Pacific Islands charts in Hawaii (a Pacific Island)?? By this time the west coast was closed. Were finally able to get a hold of Waypoint in Alameda - for a price they will go in tomorrow (Sunday) set up a chip and ship it out Monday first thing. We should have it by Tuesday, and be out of here on Wednesday - should being the operative word. Really, as much as I love technology, there are times when it really is a pain in the butt!
We pressed on regardless however. The boat is looking pretty good. Both dinghies are on deck, one of three weather cloths is up, new fishing pole holders installed, settee free of provisions, our patch of the dock is looking pretty bare. I even cooked dinner - for the second night in a row. Who knows we may have to relax......
So Houston, we are in a holding pattern and expect the countdown to resume on Tuesday. I will keep you updated....
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