[password]tompkins
[position]13 35.6N 149 36.9W
[speed]6.7
[heading]305m
[weather] 16kn from 080 true. 1m NE swell. Silvery moonlight over smooth seas
[status] 2am HST - 484 miles to the Ka Lae, the South Cape of Hawaii! We are at 13 35N and 149 37W, sailing with triple reef and staysail, going around 6.7 knots at 080 AWA, on a course of 305M. The sea has smoothed out and we are sailing through the moonlit night with an easy motion. I just made my famous chicken with carmelized onions, a dash of curry and brown rice for Commodore's 0200 watch. Nice for him to have a hot meal, now that the nights are cool. From about 5 South to 5 North, life was quite hot. We drank a lot of cold water and mostly ate salads. Adding heat by cooking was to be avoided. So now it is rather pleasant to be able to cook again. Tomorrow night plan to bake up our remaining potatoes, as all of our produce must be eaten or tossed when we clear into the USA.

The sea state has quieted down over the past day, and just a small amount of rain in one large system that went through this afternoon. Now that the wind has moderated, it gets pretty tough on us when the wind goes below 15 knots. This is when we are aching to make sail and shake out a reef or three, but no can do with the tear in the mainsail. This is a lively boat and we like it when she goes fast. We have become accustomed to seeing the speed gauge 7-9 knots with the occasional surf at 11-12 knots thrown in for the fun factor. However, we must make do in the light stuff, and when we get above 18 knots, the boat begins to kick up her heels. This passage from Nuku Hiva to Hawaii has been a beam reach all the way....woo hoo! With the exception of a couple of days of large and confused seas, this has been a most delightful passage.

I am soaking up the magic of being at sea as I know we will be making landfall in about 48 hours
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