Hi Family and friends:

All is well with Ananda II and Crew. Today (Day 5) has been our first full day of easier sailing. In the first 4 days we have seldom seen less than 20-25 knots of wind, and seas 8-12 feet occasionally higher. Up until today it has been windy and wet, but by all accounts it has been excellent ocean sailing. We have sailed mostly with a double reef, and only 50% of the jib unfurled, making way at 8-10 knots on a close reach heading to a waypoint at 5 degrees north of the equator, at 145 degrees longitude. We have taken the advice of many veterans and headed east early to allow a better approach from our waypoint into Papeete. We decided we would loosely follow the Hokulea�'s first Waypoint then turn South on a rum-line course direct to Tahiti. The consensus so far is that the biggest challenge thus far was staying dry or trying to get dry above and below decks. With the fully loaded boat we seem to be wetter than usual, with water washing over the foredeck regularly and big wave s to the helm. We shifted bags aft to reduce weight in the bow. We were disappointed to discover the newly installed Lewmar forward hatch leaks terribly. With seas 10-12 feet in 20 knots we headed off down wind in attempt to dry the hatch well enough to duct tape and stop the water intrusion in the forward cabin. It helped for 24 hours then the tape failed. We will fix it at our destination, or buy another roll of tape. Now I know that you should never leave the dock with only one roll of the stuff! We have discovered another deck hardware leak that drips water very slowly over the main electrical panel. We discovered this on the 3rd day, and devised a diverter plastic cover, and absorbent towels to catch the moisture before it hits the back of the panel. We have discussed emergency electrical and navigation procedures if this were to persist, but computer will be down. As of today the panel is dry but still at risk. If things calm down we will change out the large thru bol ts for the jib car under way perhaps in the doldrums. Other than �"water water everywhere�", the conditions are excellent and the sailing great. We seem to make better time at night, and have been lucky to have a full moon each night that shines on the waves so we can see what is coming. This has been a great reintroduction to night sailing for our new and intermediate sailors aboard, and a soft re-entry for Paul and I. We have seen nothing on the radar but rain squalls, and the night sky has been cloudy. Today Conditions have taken a turn for the better, easy sailing, 12- 15 knots of breeze with 3-4 foot seas. Fishing- So far three small ones (Aku)and three Marlin strikes. Todays early strike spooled the 10/0 reel near the end. We are sure it was a big Marlin that we did not want. The mid-day strike was a small marlin that we brought along side then lost. Again, not what we are after. Yesterday�'s marlin strike was spectacular. After the strike he (or she) jumped full out of t he water,�...�....looked to be 10-12 feet long. Fortunately it shook the lure loose and we did not have to deal with it. The crew is working together very well, and in good spirits. Fortunately Andrew and John Toomey have turned out to be natural helmsmen, and keep us on course thru the night. Happy Father�'s day from the Mid Pacific to David, Robert, Dick, Shane, John, Uncle�'s Jim and Raymond and Harold, with fond lifetime and sailing memories of my Dad Ty! This one�'s for you!! Love and Aloha, Adam