Position and Weather Report

Position: Lat: 32 deg 25.1" Long: 152 deg 21.8 "

Predicted 24h position: Lat: 34deg 04.5" Long: 150deg 19.3 "

COG: 045deg SOG: 6kts

Baro: 30.09 24h range:30.04-.12 Wind: NNE 12kts 24h range:0-13kts Waves: NE Swell 1 meter, Confused wind chop from squalls Sails furled Present gph 2.1

Clouds: Overcast presently

Summary: We are on a new course as suggested by Lee. As it turns out the point is on the RL to Neah Bay. This morning was flat calm but now we have moderate chop from the NNE.

24h summary Fuel used:45g Gal/hr 1.88 Fuel at destination: 1327g Distance made good: 159nm Ave. Speed: 6.63kts MPG: 3.53 Fuel remaining: 1786g Max range: 6305 Range to Destination: 1621nm Reserve Range: 4684

For all of you who wonder what it is like in the mid ocean but suffer mal de mer, this day would be perfect. The expression, "As flat as a mill pond," couldn't be more apt today as it is windless, glassy, with barely a ripple as far as the eye can see. (That would be somewhere in the range of 6-7 miles to the horizon) We are enjoying the ride and Mark and I are dangerously close to qualifying as red neck fisherman as we continue to fish, hoping for a wahoo, but catching multiple Mahi, the largest of which, we fillet for the freezer. After a dinner last night with Mahi in a tomato and pepper salsa, and another batch with onions, butter, and seasoning in foil, all done on the barbecue, I know they will not go to waste! Maybe a fish taco party when we return. (since this writing it has become mildly choppy with 12 kt headwinds so maybe not such a good idea for the sea sick to have beamed aboard)

We have also been persisting in learning celestial navigation from our mentor John. Despite having at least 6 or 7 devices which have independent GPS, we want to learn the how and why behind navigating by the Sun, moon, planets, and stars for backup as well as historical perspective. Mark refers this evening activity as Sexting which has different implications if you want to be Mayor of New York City. Last night we measured the angles to the horizon of Venus, Spica, and Altair at a specific time to the second with a synchronized watch to Greenwich Mean Time. Using tables and simple math and various correction factors we get intersecting lines of position that were within "reasonable" proximity (10 miles on the first go around) to our know position. We are continuing to do this daily to try to get more accurate so we don't cruise past our intended destination leaving palm trees, grass skirted maidens and fresh fruit and water in our wake. Will keep you posted.

On a less than happy note, we have begun to see increasing flotsam and jetsam, mostly the latter with fishing floats, bottles and the like. We may pass through the Pacific Gyre which is reputed to have miles of poorly degradable plastic accumulating in the central ocean. So far no Japanese glass floats but we are vigilant to try to avoid a partially submerged shipping container or debris from the tsunami.

An hour ago, I noted a radar signal and then a 958' cargoship to our port. My electronics from 8 miles away predicted the closest point of approach as just over 100feet! Too close for comfort so we called the captain on the radio and despite having right of way, we changed course to pass behind him. This is an example of the "lug nut rule", or he with the most number of lugnuts has right of way. We are now on a new course suggested by Lee to avoid some weather to our North. Our present course takes us directly to Neah Bay!! If we can keep up our present speed, we have 10-11 days remaining.