[password] grace40

[position] 16 46.698s 179 20.015e

[status] 0900 hrs 3 June 2019. We're here. Arrived Savusavu 1600 hrs yesterday, 2 June 2019. You can let out that breath you've been holding for the trip statistics. Here they are:

OVERALL NZ - FIJI TRIP STATISTICS

Distance - 1256nm
Time - 220.25 hrs - 9 days 4.25 hrs
Engine On - 95.5 hrs - 3 days 23.5 hrs
Average Speed - 5.7 kts (including slowing down to arrive Minerva & Savusavu at correct time)

NZ - MINERVA LEG STATISTICS

Distance - 829nm
Time - 142.5 hrs - 5 days 22.5 hrs
Engine On - 42.5 hrs - 1 day 18 hrs
Average speed - 5.8 kts

MINERVA - FIJI LEG STATISTICS

Distance - 427nm
Time - 77.75 hrs - 3 days 5.75 hrs
Engine On - 53 hrs - 2 days 4.8 hrs
Average Speed - 5.5 kts

SEA LIFE STATISTICS - No dolphins sighted. One flying fish on deck. No fish caught.

The whole trip actually lasted 19 days because of the 10 days spent in Minerva waiting out storms produced by tropical depressions roaming around.

MOST AMAZING STATISTIC OF ALL: Thoughout the entire 1256 nm trip we never once took a wave onto the boat. This was the most benign passage from NZ to Fiji ever. The major factor for this was Gulf Harbour Radio.

In that regard, Leilani and I want to give a big thank-you to David & Patricia of Gulf Harbour Radio. Their comments about the weather (they don't give advice) helped us determine weather windows, and avoid sailing in the tropical depression weather. We encountered several yachts first hand, and heard about others, who did not heed their comments, and they paid the price by being caught out in horrendously awful weather. If you're sailing in the S. Pacific, you should be listening to GHR regularly. And if you're a regular listener, you might want to give a voluntary donation to help defray equipment cost and internet and electic charges incurred by GHR to provide their invaluable service. Go to their website for info on how to make a donation. Again, thank you David & Patricia.

Bula Vinaka John

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