Still heading north

Yonoo - - the tiller is 24' from pin to end of handle. Les if we could we would be going north, it is just a little hard with the wind coming out of the north - - you know it is that sailboat thing. So we are going North as much as possible and east as little as possible to get up to 39 - - when we get to 150 I have to make a decision for my next move. Weather grid shows some west filling in which would be great - - but until something else happens we are stuck tacking back and forth. Thanxs for the start time. r/don

Attitude for Latitude

Thanxs for all the info Les - - we call the rudder post thumping the boat "heart Beat" it has stayed pretty much the same but it definitely needs looked at in SFO. The tiller ext - - we just safety wired and taped the two broken ones together to make a good one. The roller furling story - - when we went to roll it up the the drum just spun freely not turning the luff. Upon examination the three set screws that hold the luff to the drum were missing. I don't think they we ever tightened and just vibrate out. I replaced them with screws we had on board - - not the correct size but it is working. We will need to tap out the threads and put the right ones in at SFO. I hope they hold out - - if not we will have to strip that jib and go to a smaller one. As far as dry boat goes that story is over - - I think there is one dry spot in the cabin - - that is my gin bottle - - leaks, leaks and more leaks. This will not go down in the log as our most favorite leg. Grey sky, wind out of the north at 15 - 20, rolling seas out of the north and we are motor sailing at 5 knots on a course of 5 -6 knots - - we are slowly working our way up north. Rock, I believe all boats are offered (for free) the transenders. Yes, please...everyone will be able to follow us. We are already in our cold weather gear. Position N 33*05 W 152*50 Somebody said, "It affects your attitude when you leave the latitudes,", thanks, Jimmy. This morning I started with T-shirt, fleece shirt from Luann, heavy foulies and ski gloves with ski hat and boots, and Under Armor bottoms. (Enjoy the beach, you turkies.) That worked for an hour and half. Then had to strip the fleece and ski cap. Replacing the fleece with Patagonia. Good combination for me. Hard call on Joe's flight. We working hard getting North.
Great experience out here, John and Don

are we having fun yet?

We just can't get a break on the wind -- won't let us head north - so we are making good time going the wrong way. Cooking is quite the challenge, serving is no easier and clean up is just as much fun. John and I are on watch together and Ellis & Joe are together. We continue to work 6 on 6 off during the day and 4 on & 4 off from 1800 until 0600. It is working out well. Not many leaks - but any leak is in the wrong place and annoying. Don

Day 3

Aloha, Crew, today was great sailing. 12 to 15 knots out of the east, all day long. We encountered no squalls today, with none on the horizon as the sun sets. Our average speed today was 6.4. We've been eating well, but no one is over hungry, provisions are holding very well. Les, Don went back to the bolt for the rudder and tightened it, again. The impact was immediate. No clanking, and tiller play at a minimum. Received your e-mail, but, Don would prefer to tighten daily, if needed. As of 6 p.m., we have 1634 miles to go. Our position is: N 27*54.766 W 153*20.769 Thanks for the Tiger update.Back to the sunset, John

to beat or not to beat

Aloha all - - beating north to get to the HIGH - - for those of you who have beat to weather you know / / for those that have not don't do it!!!! HA!! All are settling in / working 6 on & 6 off during the day & 4 on 4 off during the night. Catching fish, chasing the squaws and having a great time. We are 450 nm north of Kaneohe N 27 -13 / W 153 - 40. Approx 1700 nm from SFO. DR

still learning

Aloha,

We had one calamity, we spilt one of our dinners behind the stove. Ah, the learning curve continues. there were a few squalls today. Good training. We made 144 miles the day. Our spot on the globe as of noon Monday was N25*41.223 W155*05.339 Nautical miles to S.F. is 1782. The seas have been aggravated with the squall activity.
Love to call, The Crew

Monday update

Don called in and said everything is OK. The weather goes from squalls to almost nothing. They are going back in forth from dropping the jib to full sails ahead when the squall goes by. Everyone seems to be OK and no one has gotten sick. They had turkey dinner last night and enjoyed the food. Food is still frozen but the ice is almost gone. Don and crew say hello and good sailing to everyone.