Todayʻs Report from Hōkūle‘a

Palmyra Voyage Log - Date 3.13.09 10:37 AM
 
Current Weather (wind, rain, cloud systems, ocean conditions):
Wind 8-12 knots NNE large North swell scattered squalls.

Significant weather in past 24 hours (altered sail/rigging/repairs to canoe):
Hoisted large foresail, put small crabclaw on main. Squally all night ran under jib alone. Currently sailing with radial cut spinnaker and foresail at 5-6 knots, surging down the sweills.
 
Our current course (star house & compass bearing):
Hema, approximately 85 degrees.  Last few hours we’ve averaged 6 knots
-Hoku Pa’a is estimated at  14.5 degrees above the horizon.
-What is the moon phase? Waning
 
What was our last two or three meals:  Did we catch any fish?
Kamahele caught a mahimahi; they shared with us by dropping a bucket which we snagged. Guess that means we caught a fish. Actually, a flying fish landed on the deck overnight, poor thing, now it is bait.
 
Observations in Nature (marine life, birds…)
White tailed tropic bird (koa‘e kea) last evening and high ‘iwa at dusk. Masked booby (‘ā) late yesterday and another ‘iwa this morning.
 
Crew reflection/update
I enjoyed our watch last night, broad reaching in squally wind and big swells, the canoe was averaging close to 7 knots and steering was a challenge. Nice to get the feeling for canoe, wind and waves. Today is a day to appreciate the size of the ocean, judging by the swell the main islands are getting signficant weather and here we’re just getting the roller coaster.

Greetings to everyone back home especially Kyle who is working for me today. 

Mahalo, Craig