No news, as we are amp impaired. We unearthed a recharging problem on the primary alternator, the little Honda generator decided not to pretend to do its normal shore power impersonation, and the spare alternator may have a future as a spare anchor. Anyways, as we ran out of wind at about 7d north, use of the engine was required, and some (well lots, actually) sleuthing came up with a jury rigged solution to get amps into the battery. Hopefully we can keep them there, allowing us to use the radio etc. The past couple of days we have been dodging squalls, but not intentionally, as they usually provide a great wind boost (25kts or so) that helps propel one southwards. Unfortunately we don't have enough diesel to motor the remaining miles to the equator and beyond to where the reliable winds are, so we are for ever watching the skies for the new eco-propulsion opportunity. If you do the math from the lat position, you will realize we are 244 miles from the equator, which may or may not take us 2 more days. The GPS tells us we are 1100 miles from Hiva Oa. Find it on Google Earth! Cheers, Team Mulan