Weather update:

Present position:07 deg 15.9' N 168 deg 10.1' E COG: 088 deg SOG: 5.7 kts Estimated position 24hours:07 deg 15.5' N 170 deg 26.1' E Baro:29.74 last 24hr range: 29.68-77 Wind: ENE 12-15 kts, Seas:3-4 M Clouds:80% cumulus cover, but looking very dense at the horizon, all the way around Summary: 172 nm to Majuro.

Conditions much improved. We have a dominant swell on the nose without the competing swell from the South which made for a confused sea and bumpy ride yesterday. Everything is going well aboard. Especially nice is our "Little Wonder" water maker which puts out 10 gal/h of fresh potable water making it possible for us to use all the multigallon containers of water we bought and stowed as ballast and emergency supply. Wade repeatedly fills up six 5 gallon containers which we use for drinking and the rest goes into the tank to be used for semi essential things like showers, dishwashing and toilet flushing. Imagine the alternative!

A bit of excitement on the fishing front. For those not interested in such detail, my apologies. After yesterday's lost big fish, my genetically programmed fishmania rose to the surface. I employed the full court press. I have two handlines with barbless double hooks on commercial tuna lures which I drag 25 feet back in the wake. On the rod holders, I had the two 50W standup rigs with a large tuna feather one one and a swimming plug on the other well behind in the third wake wave. To target Mahi, I have a small rod and reel, Shimano TLD 20 which is about what you'd use to troll for salmon and I drag a small red and white feather in the center of the wake about 100' back. I set all this up before coffee and an hour before my watch began. Normally, if one were trying to catch fish as a primary goal, one would seek some underwater structure which attracts fish. We on the other hand are going from point A to B and fishing along the way so finding fish is somewhat random. So imagine my surprise when both handlines had fish on and the small rod started to bounce. I bo ated a lovely yellowfin tuna and released another from the handlines. They were perfect eating size which translates to small in fishing vernacular. (10-15 lbs compared to a large yellowfin which run over 300 lbs!) But amazing to eat nonetheless. I then grabbed the small rig and noted a very heavy fish on the other end leisurely taking out line without seeming to be too disturbed by the situation. It became apparent that I was going to have a hard time stopping this fish so I tightened the drag, hoping to turn it or break the fish off. Suddenly 100 yds behind the boat a beautiful 200-300 lb blue marlin jumped, tail walked and greyhounded along the surface before breaking me off at the snap swivel. Happily Wade witnessed the whole event so I am sure it was not imagined. The release was fine in my mind as we would never kill a fish like that and stood little hope of getting it to the boat unless we were in a small manuverable boat which could chase the fish. Why would the marlin take the smallest lure on the smallest rod? He clearly hadn't read the book.

On other news, Wade has been working the SSB radio and is talking to other cruisers on various side band frequencies to get info about upcoming weather and anchorages.

On a final note, we are about to pass just to the South of an atoll named Ailinglapalap. I will leave that entirely alone and let you form whatever associations you like.