What a productive day. Let me see if I can list all the accomplishments. Cookies, Fish, Washing Machine, Wash down for Fish Cleaning, a shower for each of us, a nice chat with Saltbreaker another cruiser just 17 miles north of us and fish dinner.

So lets start with the Wash down for Fish Cleaning. I have had the pump and materials onboard since leaving Whangarei to install a wash down pump and spray hose next to the back steps of the port stern. I figured that because we were dragging a line trying to catch a fish the reason for no success was the fact I didnÂ't have a way to keep them warm once we caught them. So, I installed the pump and wash down hose. A couple hours later the wind picked up a bit and we were doing 8 knots under the screecher sail. Checked the wind level and knew we needed to furl in the screecher. As we finally get it furled in I look back and see something dragging on the top of the water and hollered Â"Fish OnÂ". A Mahi Mahi, Dorado or Dolphin fish depending on which language you speak. All the same animal. She weighed in about 8-10lbs.

So shortly after catching the fish I was able to use the washdown hose while cleaning it. Worked great and I was able to clean all the fish blood off the steps.

While I was perched on the head this morning, I opened the under sink cabinet and retrieved some TP. While reaching into the cabinet I saw that one of the hoses going to the washing machine had a very tight kink in it. We have been having some problems with our brand new combo washer/dryer not going through all it cycles correctly. It has been real frustrating and I have tried everything in the trouble shooting tips to no avail. We were down to watching when the wash cycle was done so we could start a rinse and likewise a spin/drain. One of the issues in the trouble shooting guide was insufficient water. Once I saw the kink in the hose, I immediately knew this could be a major breakthrough. Finishing my head duties, I retrieved a screw driver to loosen the hose clamp and twist the hose so as not to be twisted. Then with due diligence Lisa loaded the washer and started the wash. Be darned if it didnÂ't cycle through all phases as if it was brand spanking new like it sho uld have. Whew, thought I spent a pile of money on a machine for nothing. All is good on the washer.

During the mid morning, Lisa then Walt took turns taking showers. By the time they got down with theirs it was my turn but before getting cleaned up I thought I should try out the fish wash down and clean the fish. Got enough filet to make two big meals plus some tidbits to make up some cevicheÂ', Mexican style. That was our appetizer and boy was it good. The fish turned out excellent also. I have been waiting a hear and a half to have fresh fish like that.

By mid afternoon I was beat but clean so I decided to retire to the bunk and take a nap while Lisa made a batch of cookie dough for when we arrive in Fiji to make fresh cookies for the officials when they check us in.

We did our regular check in on the ham net called Pacific Seafarers Net at the normal 0335UTC time on 14.300khz. We had heard the SV Saltbreaker on the net three days earlier but the static was so bad we decided to defer contacting them until a later time. Tonight was the night. The radio was crystal clear so we met on a frequency just above the net freq. Had a good chat and discovered we were both heading to Minerva. The are just 17 miles north of us tonight so will keep a good watch out for them.

It is now shift time. I have a two hour watch from 1900 to 2100. Then Lisa comes on at 2100 until 0100 when I come back on until 0300 when Walt takes over until one of us gets up at dawn. Walt gets a good 7-8 hours of sleep before his early morning while I take two short shifts with Lisa taking a 4 hour shift in between two of mine. Works pretty well with three of us and so with some variation we do a similar when there are only the two of us. I tend to try and get the blog done on my first shift as I am doing right now and then chase weather gribs on my next shift.

All in all it was a good day and we are still trying for Minerva by Monday. Also, we are now above the 30 degree line at 28 16S so it is getting somewhat warmer outside as well as the water. I am guessing that is the reason for the fish and hoping we get more.

All for now.

Cheers.

John