Sand Dollar weighed anchor at 11 AM this morning and departed Bora Bora for the 580 mile passage to Penrhyn Island in the Northern Cooks. The wind is from the east-southeast at 17 knots and the swell is five feet from the east. The passage will take about five days with landfall anticipated on Monday July 30. There are strong winds forecast for the next few days so the passage could go quicker but I do not want to arrive on Sunday because it is frowned upon by the locals in Penrhyn who are very religious.

I have plenty of fruit and vegetables onboard but I am afraid whatever is not eaten during the passage will be confiscated by the agriculture inspector. Also, no fresh meat or fish are allowed. I did hook a fish of unknown species about an hour ago but lost it while cranking it in. All else is well onboard.