Hikianalia Report: October 22, 6:00 PM: bumpy ride, gusting ESE trades, approaching Rurutu (Austral Islands)

We are traveling fast despite using only the storm jib, double-reefed main and single-reefed mizzen.  We are experiencing a bumpy ride and more demanding steering due to the confused seas becoming more developed.  Many large splashes are coming over the rail washing down the decks and all the sailors in their path. Nautical Miles to Tahiti: 396 ; see Tracking Map.

Sail Data

• time:  2012-10-23 04:00 UTC/GMT (18:00 HST Oct 22)
• position: 23 degrees 51.0 minutes S 151 degrees 40.2 minutes W
• course: 005 degrees True
• speed: 8 knots
• weather: mostly cloudy, low-level cumulus, 75% cloud cover, will have a few stars to steer by
• wind: ESE 20 to 30 knots with a steady pulse of gusts
• sea state: ESE 10 to 15 feet and choppy, SSE swells 8 to 10 feet, wind chop, confused seas
• vessel and crew condition:  all ok (Faafaite also)

Education Data

• Celestial Observations, Navigation Stars, Planets and Moon Phases:  sun only.  Today, we again steered principally by the wind and swells.
• Animal Life: None observed today.
• Sea Birds and Sea Life: Almost none observed today.
• Marine Debris: None observed today.