Hikianalia Report: October 12, 7:13 AM HST, 20-25 knots winds … thrilling to make good speed on such a beautiful canoe.
Weather forecasts had prepared us for strengthening winds and heavier weather. At dinner, Captain Bruce Blankenfeld briefed the crew on what to expect and how to prepare and cope with the challenges of strong winds.
Faafaite
We reviewed the need to clear the decks of all unnecessary gear and tie down securely the remaining items on deck. We replaced our larger headsail with the working jib, and then later, reefed it even smaller. We have brought the storm jib up from down below and put it in the on-deck sail locker to be immediately available, if needed. We reviewed the procedure for reefing (making smaller) the main and mizzen sails.
None of this should alarm the readers back home. We’re just practicing good seamanship and proper procedures for preparing in advance, rather than being caught with your guard down. This vessel and crew are well prepared for what we are predicted to encounter. We are doing very well and enjoying the voyage immensely. Right now, the sun is shining and breakfast is nearly ready. It is thrilling to make good speed on such a beautiful, stable voyaging canoe.
Sail Data
- time: 2012-10-12 17:13 UTC/GMT (07:13 HST Oct 12)
- position: 34 degrees 56.4 minutes S 177 degrees 46.8 minutes W
- course: 075 degrees True
- speed: 9.0 knots
- weather: clear patches with an interesting mixture of clouds all around – from patchy stratocumulus up to some streaky high cirrus, portending stronger weather
- wind: began building and filling in about 1 am, now NNE 20-25 knots with more forecast for about noon
- sea state: SW swell 6-7 feet. N wind swell building 2-3 feet
- vessel and crew condition: all ok (Faafaite also)
Education:
- Celestial Observations, Navigation Stars, Planets and Moon Phases: Good navigation stars overnight in the north and the east. Clouds washed out stars in the south and west. A beautiful red sunrise this morning made us think of: “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in morning, sailor, take warning.”
- Animal Life: None observed overnight.
- Sea Birds and Sea Life: Gulls, Boobies, etc.
- Marine Debris: None observed overnight.
Resources
- Tracking Map
- Crew List: Aotearoa to Tahiti
- On Wayfinding (star compass and traditional navigation without instruments)
- Hawaiian Lunar Month (Moon Phases)
- Hawaiian Star Lines (Hawaiian names for stars and constellations)
- Stellarium, a free desktop planetarium at stellarium.org.
- Fish, Birds, and Mammals of the Open Ocean
- Predicting Weather: Reading Clouds and Sea States
- Non-Instrument Weather Forecasting
- Hawaiian Voyaging Traditions (History of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Hōkūle‘a)
