b.c.bound

We cast off our lines from Nuevo Vallarta marina at around 5.00 p.m. We were planning on a gentle motor over to the marina in la cruz, about 5 miles north. The wind decided to pipe up as soon as we left the harbour and within a few minutes, we were covered in salt again! We snuck into the fuel dock as quietly as possible hoping to avoid an overnight mooring fee but the security guys were onto us right away so the gig was up. The place was so nice, with a festival in full swing, so we ended up staying two nights and left for Hawaii with full tanks and a freshly cleaned bottom for maximum speed. Saw some amazing manta rays as we exited the bay. They were at least 12 ft across and swimming slowly along the surface, presumably gathering plankton or whatever they feed on. The first few days of the journey was a mixture of motoring with no wind and sailing into a moderate breeze and plenty of ship traffic along the coast bound to and from the panama canal. When the steady wind filled in it was from the N.W. so we had to drop south a bit to make use of it. Gradually the wind veered and became N.N.E. so we were able to point in the right direction. West.
P.V. and Hawaii are on the same latitude so we just kept to sun rising on our transom and setting on the bow. Didn't see a ship or any lights for two weeks. We managed to keep moving pretty well the whole time although we did have to motor a bit when the wind went light. It was all over the compass and we were kept busy with many sail changes. We had every combination of sail set, from staysail and double reefed main to spinnaker (which we flew overnight for the very first time!). Caught some nice Mahi Mahi to supplement our diet of canned and dry food which was a delicious treat, as always. This was the first of the green beauties since Charlestown, when we were heading north in the gulf stream last spring.
300 miles from the islands, we went into a long black cloud which was full of rain but no wind. It was very welcome as we needed a wash down. Collected some in the tanks once we were well rinsed. The down side was that the wind went very light and was coming straight from Hawaii! After about a day of motoring, we decided to head for the nearest island and so, after two very long days where we were only able to do 4 knots, we pulled into Lahaina on Maui. Three weeks, to the day, after leaving Bandaras Bay and the swine flue behind, we had crossed another mighty ocean. 3000 miles in 3 weeks. I think we can be pretty happy with that. When we were able to check the condition of the hull, we discovered a veggie garden growing on the back of the boat and the bottom of the keel. it's a wonder we were able to move at all! An hour with mask, fins and a piece of soft wood, Mistletoe's bum was like a babies, once again. We will do another cleaning just before the leg from here to B.C. All for now, cheers from the crew of mistletoe.