As of 0621 2015-11-27 UTC: Arrived in Marsden just before 5 pm local time. We had some nice sailing after we turned the corner south of the Poor Knights. And then had a screaming deep reach around Bream Head (we were doing the screaming!) with winds up to 33 knots and with the main at full hoist. Luckily we had rolled up the jib before that, as the angle was too deep to hold the jib. The wind around Bream Head can be quite ferocious, as we discovered. We are safely tucked in for the night at the Q dock and will get cleared in tomorrow morning. Really great to be back.

As of 2100 2015-11-26 UTC: Land Ho! Can see Whangarei Heads poking through the clouds. We should reach Marsden late this afternoon/early evening. Motorsailing with the wind dead astern

As of 2100 2015-11-25 UTC: Put up reacher yesterday for a few hours in the afternoon before turning on the engine a little before 8 pm local time. Lost wind completely this morning and now motoring in 3/4 knot counter current.

As of 2100 2015-11-24 UTC: A fast day yesterday with a favorable current. Lost fav current last night. Wind stayed 13-15 knots overnight, but lightened up considerably this morning (to 9-12). Gliding along nicely, but will think about putting up light air sails today. We'd like to put off starting the engine as long as possible. We've changed our destination to Marsden Cove, as the conditions look good to continue on. Drop dead gorgeous day.

As of 2100 2015-11-23 UTC: Great sailing again today. Wind is holding and we have a favorable current (after having an adverse current yesterday). We'll appreciate these super conditions while they last. Water temp has dropped 11 deg F since leaving Savusavu.

As of 2100 2015-11-22 UTC: Wind lightening up more. Beautiful blue skies. Gorgeous sailing.

As of 2000 15-11-21 UTC: Wind lightened up for a few hours overnight, but back up today. Moving along well and have better motion as were able to crack off a little. Still very boisterous as wind is forward of the beam.

As of 1134 15-11-21 UTC: Left Savusavu early Saturday afternoon (local time) for Opua. Had to sail close reach into Koro Sea chop. Very rough. We had to keep ducking down when we poked our heads out from the back of the pilothouse as huge amounts of water crashed into the bow and flew back to the stern. At least the decks are getting clean! We got drenched a few times. Beth lost her cookies. But we're moving fast and once we got out of the Koro Sea, the waves smoothed out some.

As of 0400 2015-10-04 UTC: Sailed back to Savusavu today after great visit with Hans and Dory on Koro. Caught mahi mahi just before we got to Savsuavu.

As of 0400 2015-10-04 UTC: Sailed back to Savusavu today after great visit with Hans and Dory on Koro. Caught mahi mahi just before we got to Savsuavu.

As of 2100 2015-10-25 UTC: Motor-sailed upwind to Koro yesterday. Moored in Beautiful, tranquil Dere Bay. Today will visit friends Hans and Dory (formerly of Happy Monster) who are building a house here.

As of 2100 2015-09-30 UTC: Arrived safely yesterday in Savusavu. Great to be back!

As of 2100 2015-09-29 UTC: Had great sailing day yesterday with low waves and steady wind. Making final approach to Savusavu. Turned on engine last hour.

As of 2100 2015-09-28 UTC: Left Wallis midday yesterday for Savusavu. Winds light and seas very low (less than 1 meter) to start. Wind steadily building and sailing along nicely.Caught mahi mahi yesterday.

Moved back to Mata Utu (east side) this morning. Will look for window to Fiji soon.

As of 0000 2015-09-11 UTC: Moved to west side of main island earlier in the week. Did a nice dive with Evasion Bleue. Hope to dive the pass with them soon.

As of 2000 2015-09-01 UTC: Anchored off town of Mata Uta in Wallis. Checked in with Gendarmerie soon after we arrived yesterday (local time). Customs was closed but will try again today if weather cooperates. Got doused with big waves heading back to EW from town in our dinghy. Conditions are rough for the dinghy due to system moving through. EW doesn't seem bothered, though. Holding is excellent.

As of 2000 2015-08-31 UTC: Approaching Wallis. Will heave to shortly to wait for slack water before going into the pass.

As of 2000 2015-08-30 UTC: Left Pago Pago for Wallis yesterday. Had a great time there visiting friends (Michael, Kendra, and Gavin) who moved to Pago a few years ago. Good sailing trip so far. Wind and waves behind us. Had little bit of excitement yesterday when the rudder post for the monitor windvane sheared at the foot. Fortunately we did not lose the rudder, as it was attached with a safety line. Using electric autopilot now.

As of 0413 2015-08-28 UTC: Will be departing for Wallis on the weekend. Have enjoyed our stay here in Pago Pago, despite the bad holding in the anchorage. We are meeting many cruisers from the "Class of 2015" as they make their way across the Pacific. We just posted an update to our website http://www.vancones.org/LatestUpdate.html

As of 0940 2015-08-07 UTC: Arrived in Pago Pago early this afternoon local time. Difficult to get anchor to set in bad bottom (hauled up fishing lines and plastic bags). Met lots of friendly cruisers.

As of 2000 2015-08-06 UTC: Hove to for 15 hours starting late yesterday afternoon. Underway again. Should get in to Pago Pago harbor today. Seas very rough (short period waves).

As of 2000 2015-08-05 UTC: Making our way toward Pago Pago. May heave to if can't make harbor during daylight.

As of 2000 2015-08-04 UTC: Broke line for 2nd reef last night. Sailing with 3rd reef for now. Air temp warmer. Nice sailing!

As of 2240 2015-08-03 UTC: Just left Beveridge Reef, bound for Pagp Pago. Great saiiing on broad reach. Terrific 33 days diving and snorkeling.

As of 0045 2015-07-03 UTC: Reef Ho! Anchored in Beveridge Reef. Stunning. Hove to off the reef in the wee hours of the morning local time and then tried fishing along the edge of the reef for a few hours. We saw lots of flying fish but no bites on our lines. We maneuvered through the pass about 11:30 am local time and finally dropped anchor at 12:30 pm local time. Great visibility going through pass.

As of 2100 2015-07-01 UTC: Sailing nicely in SE winds. Several flying fish landed on deck (may be the only way we'll catch any).

As of 2100 2015-06-30 UTC: Sailing more easterly to pick up better angle on trades as they build. Great sailing since yesterday am (until a squall comes through and the wind goes pear-wise). Squalls have had little rain, but gusty wind. Monitor windvane working well except when wind drops too much. Tried fishing yesterday but no luck.

As of 2100 2015-06-29 UTC:

As of 2100 2015-06-27UTC: Lots of excitement yesterday. Wheel almost fell off and a batten popped out of its pocket and K and to hoist B up the mast in 2-3 meter seas to push it back in so we could lower the sail for repairs. Had to motor back the way we came for a while to stabilize the sail. Finally got repairs made and heading back in the right direction (toward Beveridge Reef). Motoring through center of high.

As of 2100 2015-06-27UTC: Beautiful waxing moon overnight. Gliding along in light winds.

As of 2100 2015-06-26UTC (day wrong on prev update): Sailing nicely under single reefed main. Waves subsided a bit. Very comfortable temps.

As of 2100 2015-06-27UTC: Sailing nicely under single reefed main. Waves subsided a bit. Very comfortable temps.

As of 2100 2015-06-27UTC: Sailing nicely under single reefed main. Waves subsided a bit. Very comfortable temps.

As of 2100 2015-06-27UTC: Sailing nicely under single reefed main. Waves subsided a bit. Very comfortable temps.

Staying south for better wind. Seas have built so bit of a roller coaster ride. 26c in pilothouse yesterday during day (toasty), but 17c overnight (brrr).

Left Marsden yesterday afternoon. A bit brisk. Great to be back at sea.

Left Riverside for Marsden to do sea test. Waiting in Marsden for window north.