Day 2 - Oahu to Fanning Island

LATITUDE: 17-11.15N
LONGITUDE: 158-33.43W
Miles traveled in 24 hours: 116 (slow...)
Miles to Fanning Island: 805

Big Island Day -

I never realized how much the Big Island would affect our trip!

Yesterday, we had hazy voggy skies all day due to the volcanic ash. Which, meant a beautiful hot pink sunset, of course.

The Big Island blocked our wind for awhile. That was kind of nice - it gave us a chance to catch up on some sleep (wished we would have showered too!).

And, the confused/agitated seas and unsettled weather as we left the island behind us - just to make keep us from sleeping.

It is a Big Island, but we are over it!

Now we are just in squally weather. Last night, we reduced our jib a little since the winds were kicking up. Unfortunately, the jib sheet snatch block opened up and our sheet was out of control. We decided to save that for today and put up our staysail instead. So, we didn't make much time last night. Oh well. the jib is back in operation and we are cruising along through squalls and big splashes that go "whack" just before they soak the cockpit.

But, Doug and I are doing well and laughing our way through it - at least afterwards.

Don't you wish you were here. Hah!

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Day 1 - Oahu to Fanning Island

LATITUDE: 19-10.91N
LONGITUDE: 158-12.02W
Miles traveled in 23 hours: 136
Miles to Fanning Island: 921

Woke up yesterday morning in Pokai Bay surrounded by spinner dolphins and tourists. It was an exciting way to start the day.

We have been at sea about 23 hours. The winds started at 3 knots and quickly gusted to 26 knots, which matched the forecasts. So, we double reefed our main and shortened the jib. Much more comfortable.

The waves have been a little more exciting than expected. The water flooding through the Hawaiian Island channels sure stirs things up. So, we are being bounced around a bit, but making good time. Captain Doug thinks it will be like this at least one more day.

Saw a sliver of the new moon last night followed by a gazillion stars - one shooting. Forgot how pretty the skies are out here.

Moondance is fine, but a total mess already. Crew are fine, but a little tired and wishing they would have ordered more pizza. Does the Coast Guard deliver? Just kidding!

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Finally left the Marina - yeah!

We are anchored out at Pokai Bay. It is only 8 miles north of the Marina, but feels so much better. Anchored in a beautiful bay surrounded by the immense Waianae Mountain range. Pretty impressive and we only have to share it with one other boat.

We had forgotten how much we enjoy being "on the hook". It is a little rolly, but we are used to that and the sunset was spectacular. Dinner and a movie and then we turn in early.

Tomorrow, we start our sail to Fanning Island - approximately 8 days due south. As of now, it looks like we have found a good weather window. Hope it holds for the whole trip.

Cross your fingers!

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We are on the move again - finally!

After 18 months, we are finally ready to start sailing again. We leave the marina today and go anchor out. Saturday, we will sail away to Fanning Island, Kiribati. About 8 days due south. We are hoping for a good sail!

Beautiful Ko Olina - Place of Joy

Ko Olina has been a beautiful place to live and we have met some amazing people, but it is time to start our next adventure.

Our R&R Yacht Club buddies are like family and we know that we will see them again somewhere.  Looking forward to it!

R&R Yacht Club - going to miss you!

Moondance (and Captain Doug) got an "A" rating from the rigger, John Koon - Tradewind Marine Services. He was very thorough and efficient and we highly recommend him.

John pronounced Moondance ready to sail. Yeah! Plus, he shared some great tips, which Doug has already implemented.

Captain Doug is ready

We motored out this week and calibrated some equipment (spun circles) and topped off the fuel tanks. It felt good to be back on the water.

All lists have been completed and all Moondance's lockers are over stuffed. Food and spare parts are stuck in some unusual spots - good thing we keep a list.

Our bunk will be shared with some of the "extra" stuff that just couldn't find a home. Good thing we got a big bunk. Plus while we are sailing, only 1 person sleeps at a time - the other is on watch.  

Looking for the pot of gold

We will be updating our blog daily while we are at sea - sorry no pictures.

Since we are going to remote islands, we don't anticipate having internet for a couple of months.  But, as soon as we do, we will upload pictures.

And away we go! Hope everyone has a wonderful summer.  Come and visit us in Fiji!

Thinking of things we won't have for a while - in no special order:  fountain soda drinks, washing machine, big showers, draft beer, car, Costco, internet, and walks along the beautiful lagoons...

Nai'a Lagoon at Sunset

Yes it is Friday; Yes we are still in Hawaii!

We were supposed to leave the marina today, anchor out and wait for a weather window, and then start our slow journey south.

Doug on the flying trapeze

But... the rigger we have been waiting for is going to be here tomorrow (finally).  We decided it was worth delaying our departure date.  We would be ready to leave on Sunday.

Well, there is a big 6' swell coming up from the south.  We decided to wait a couple more days - no reason to beat ourselves up. 

Then, I got sick - sinus infection.  I need to be 100% for our crossing so heading to the Doc for some drugs.

We are now looking at Thursday... Cross your fingers!

When we finally head south, our first stop will be Fanning Island (Tabuaeran)  - about 10 days sailing for us.

Cleaning the rigging

We have heard that the supply ships don't have much in stock once they reach Fanning.

So, our dock buddies have donated a bunch of goodies for us to deliver:  food, toys, movies, clothes, shoes, pretties, and even a pair of crutches.

Cruisers are wonderful about sharing whatever they have!

Next, we plan on visiting Suwarrow, in the Cook Islands.  A cruisers favorite.

But, we might get sidetracked and stop at Penrhyn Island first.  Some fellow cruisers just sailed through there and said it was one of their favorites.  We shall see how the wind blows.

Next Samoa's and Tonga.  Our final destination is Fiji - sometime in August or September. Bula! 

Filling up the liquor jugs

Things have been a bit of a blur - too many boat projects.  But, we are getting close:

• Rigging cleaned and tuned by Doug
• Dock boxes cleaned out and stuff stowed
• Boat cleaned - at least on the outside
• Provisioning almost done
• Got our Zarpe (exit out of the US)
• And more...

We still need to do some more stashing - Moondance is full.  We don't anticipate finding a grocery store until the Samao's, so we are provisioning for 3 months.  That's a lot of stuff!

Beautiful Ko Olina

Plus, we are trying to balance the weight load so that we can sail out of here.  Not an easy job.

Delphinia starting their journey

There is also a lot of "goodbye's" happening - lots of our friends leaving the marina.

Steve and Debbie on Delphinia just left today.  They are sailing to California and then onto Mexico - their first big journey.  We wish them fair winds and following seas!

Lots going on and we are pooped and stressed, but still managing to have some fun and enjoy our last days here.

Good thing Doug and I work well together or we would have killed each other - just kidding.

We will keep you posted!

Stuck in Paradise

I know we should have left Hawaii by now, but we are still here.

The good new is - we like it.  We are surrounded by wonderful friends and amazing scenery.  Can't complain!

Practicing for Whack-A-Mole

Plus, there has been a lot going on - and we hate to miss any fun stuff!

Doug finally quit work - yeah.

It was great to have a paycheck and all of those discounts, but it was sure hard to get our projects done.

Doug's re-retirement party

Doug's gang at West Marine threw a get together at the Aloha Beer company.

As you can see, his new buddies are very young. Ha!

We had a great time, plus treated ourselves to one more night in a luxurious hotel with a tub - ah...

The Last Bath...

It is going to be a very long time before I get to soak in a tub!

Not complaining, just saying.

Beautiful shot of the surf in Waikiki

So, we enjoyed ourselves in the big city one more time. 

More good news - we are actually getting our projects done:

The Chain Gang

Our new seat covers

• Got our new chain - just need to put it on the boat
• Finished re-bedding ports - finally
• New bilge switch installed
• Sewing projects completed (thanks to Tiana)
• Fuel tank retrofit complete
• Engine has been checked and blessed
• Windless is being rebuilt
• Varnishing in progress
• Craigslist is trying to sell our excess stuff
• And lots more going on

BBQ at the marina

On top of all of the projects, we are having a great time with our dock buddies.  There are several of us that are leaving Hawaii, so we are all busy working on projects, sharing, and celebrating.

Doug relaxing...

Another beautiful sunset

Mai Tai walks, Marina BBQs, Bon Voyage potlucks, and lots of time spent on the dock just socializing.

No wonder we haven't left yet, we are way too comfortable!

Don't get me wrong, we still have stuff to do.  But we think we will get out of here before the end of May.

Good thing or I am going to have to go provisioning again.  Oh my!

No Wind!

Egg delivery

It is very strange - our NE trade winds always blow - sometimes too much.  But not for the last month! 

We either have zero wind or it is blowing out of the west.

Both are bad for us, so we aren't going anywhere until the trade winds come back.

Grocery receipt - wow

Which is good, because we aren't ready to go.

We are still working on projects and provisioning - of course. 

Rebedding another port

But, we are getting closer:

• order/buy list is down to 1 page
• only 2 ports left to rebed
• 1 locker left to inventory
• provisioning 75% complete
• stashing and stowing 50% complete
• need to do more work up the mast
• final check on the rigging
• that kind of stuff!

Plus, we need to get out of the marina and do a final calibration on our new autopilot and check out our new anchor system, plus run our watermaker.

We want to make sure everything is working perfectly before heading south.  Next stop is 10 days away!

Celebrating Kara and Aaron's upcoming wedding

Of course, we still are making time to spend with our dock buddies - we are going to miss them.

We aren't going to be here for Kara and Aaron's wedding celebration, but wanted to throw a party in their honor.  Lots of fun and food was had by all!

Hope their lives are happy and full always.  And we are looking forward to meeting Aaron one of these days...

Awwwww

The latest weather forecast shows the trade winds are coming back Wednesday - yeah!

So, guess we will stay for the big Marina party on Saturday and start looking for a weather window.

We better get busy!

PS:  A few provisioning tips:

• The best place to provision for non-Costco size stuff:  Don Quixote.  It caters to the Japanese, but they have lots of stuff at great prices. 
• Non-refrigerated eggs are very difficult to get in the States.  We were fortunate that Kalei Eggs made an exception and sold us 120 of them - score.
• Don't buy too much. Of course, I am definitely not following my own advise!