week 2

was going great, a few scary lightning nights but the tropics are behind us now and the air is cooling, furler line broke in the night, now limping along under storm jib, have replaced line but waiting for less wind to hoist jib again, the curry was good though!

Wed July 25 GMT

One week since we left on this 3rd and final leg of the passage from Aus to Victoria. Whatever prayers you loyal fans are offering, keep it up! At the risk of saying it (touch wood), this leg has been near idyllic so far! Constant steady tradewinds in the 10-20 kt range, close reaching and seas not too lumpy. Having my son on board is wonderful! Not only does he 'hand, reef and steer' but he knows how to trim sails almost as well as his old man :) Not to mention good company with stimulating conversation. We are even into cooking! Forecast is good at this point for the next few days. Thanx for the wx routing 'Argonaut'!! (of course the winds just died out and we are motoring to find more)

underway!

spent a peaceful night at a small island, snorkeled over fuselage of plane and helicopter, now heading for the pass and N.....very light wind but no rain at the moment...

The long and winding road!

Clearing customs today and spending a night at a nearby island preparing for early departure tomorrow!  The very long last leg back to Victoria....looking forward to that Juan de Fuca Straight......

Toketie preparing to depart!

Well, my son finally arrived after a missed connection, being bumped, and a cancelled flight...6 days in Hawaii....thanks United...you are so customer service oriented...all those nice people did not mind a bit having their lives turned upside down because one of your pilots had a cold or hangover or whatever!!

Anyway, Toketie is fueled and hopefully watered today, though the heavy downpour last night would have filled the tanks pretty quick if only....hope to clear out in a day or so and head N for the long leg home....Inshallaw!

marooned in Majuro!

Well, my crew member has decided not to continue the adventure.  Not a big surprise as this was a particularly tough passage and the lifestyle is certainly not for everyone.  My son arrives in a couple of days and I have a list of repairs to do on the boat and no facilities, resources or materials available here to carry them out!  Have connected with a handful of local cruisers though and will see what we can manage.  Not sure at this point what the future holds!!

Toketie in Majuro!

Well, we made it! This was a very tough passage! Took 17 days from Honiara, 1200 miles, some of it hove to in rough winds and high seas, last two days beating into 20-25 kt winds and seas to make the pass in Majuro and running on diesel fumes through the pass and 12 miles up the lagoon to tie up to mooring ball after midnight. But it is a friendly place, big fishing tournament on today so national holiday, of course that meant overtime rates to have customs and immigration come down! Repairs to do, laundry to do, need a shower and a cold beer!

truckin'

motoring toward Majuro! front or trough earlier delayed us for hours with heavy rain and 25kt winds...on the nose of course! main halyard jammed and had to cut it to lower mainsail...100 miles to go! now thursday, 30 miles to go, fighting strong headwinds, squalls, currents..enough fuel for the pass only...if we get to it!