Arrived

I have arrived safely in Kaneohe on Sep 23rd. I made a fast trip down the windward side of Molokai and the Molokai channel to arrive right at 12 noon. I had a great welcoming with all my friends from Makani Kai Marina. I sailing right up to the dock with no problem and I had plenty of people to take my dock lines and stop the boat. Then I was cleared by Customs agents and the party could commence. The party continued all afternoon and into the night. It is really good to be home again. I can relax
now with no immediate concerns that I need to deal with. I do have a huge amount of work to do on the boat but that is okay.

One More Day

I am approaching the north side of Maui at noon today. I have been busy getting this boat sailing downwind. That includes getting the whisker pole setup for the Jib. I am sailing fairly well like this but it is very rolly because of a large north swell on my beam in addition to the east swell. Unfortunately downwind sailing is also slower so I am doing 5 knots only and currently the current is taking some of that away. That can't last. Anyway I plan to arrive Kaneohe Bay in the midafternoon sometime.
The weather is nice now for a good landfall. The squalls have taken a break for a few days. So needless to say I am very excited about the completion of this voyage and being home soon.

Hawaiian Waters

I am back in Hawaiian waters this morning. I can hear the US Coast Guard on the radio. It is nice to hear the American voices and to be back in familiar water. I am still SE of the Big Island and will be passing east of it tonight. The wind has dropped to 15 knots and the seas have calmed down a lot to only 5 feet. I am keeping my speed up to 6 knots to ensure a morning arrival in Kaneohe. I expect I will slow down some when I turn a bit more downwind off Maui. The winds should hold up for me
to at least 15 knots till I get in. I should get in sometime Sunday morning. It is nice to have some easier sailing now for my final days of this trip.

Getting Closer

After 2 days of 25 knot winds I am seeing improvement as the high weakens. I have been making good speed regardless so I will get home by Sunday morning. The forecast is for the winds to weaken to 15 knots starting Friday night so that should be good sailing. I will be turning more downwind at that point and will need the pole rigged. When I arrive I plan to sail into the marina and dock at the end of B dock where I hope to have someone ready to take my dock lines. With additional help I can get
the boat to the slip. I have sailed all the way in before but it is risky so I would rather avoid that. I sure am ready to be home again. Only 425 miles to go!!

Bashing Along

I am bashing along in 25 kt wind and 10 foot seas. This is not relaxing or fun. I am sailing nearly closehauled to maintain my track. The wind is solid NE and the current is setting me west so I am pointing higher than I planned. At least I got enough easting, just barely. I hope to arrive Kaneohe sometime Sunday. Thewinds are going to be strong like this again tomorrow but Friday a slight easing then less on the weekend. I am doing okay but I sure wish I could have had better luck with the weather.
I don't mind 20 kts but 25-30 is too much. I am really ready to be there. I must be patient.

Not Fun

Last night as I motored into the night there were thunderstorms to my east. Not good. Then the engine went"Bang" and I found the fresh water cooling pump destroyed with the shaft broken clean off. So with very little wind I start sailing. Then the line of thunderstorms comes right over me at 1 am until 3 am. That sound of thunder was very scary. Lightening was hitting the water around me. I was very scared. Luckily I did not get hit. Then in the morning the wind dies eventually to zero. I have to
sit there as I see another line of thunderstorms approaching. I was not happy. Then a NE wind started and I started sailing north away from the thunderstorms. The wind continued to increase to 30 knots. I raced to the north. Now I am sailing fast in 20 knots with 8 foot seas. The sky is cloudy with squalls all around but at least I am sailing. This was not a fun episode to my trip.

Motoring

I am still motorsailing in light winds. I have left the ITCZ but now have entered a weak low pressure system. The sky is overcast and light rain. The wind is from the west to I am just motoring into it trying to stay on course. I think this system will move through and I will get to the trade winds hopefully tomorrow sometime. I am disappointed that I am not already in the trade winds but that's weather for you. You never know what your going to get. I still have alot of fuel for motoring so hopefully
I can get myself to the trade winds at about 12N. From there I should have a good sail the rest of the way.