Hikianalia Report: October 23, 6:00 PM: caught a mahimahi, 200 miles from Tahiti

Kealoha and Maka, with a Mahimahi. PVS Archives

This afternoon around 2pm, we received another gift from Kanaloa. This time, we caught a 25-30 lb mahimahi using a lure made by Gary’s son, Kaiola.  Gary made us some delicious fish soup, sashimi and mahi steaks for dinner.

We are still traveling well despite using only the storm jib, double-reefed main and single-reefed mizzen, but we are slowing a bit as the wind is a little bit all over the place as it changes direction.  We are experiencing a bumpy ride, lots of spray over the deck and more demanding steering due to the confused seas becoming more developed.  This morning from 4 am to after sunrise, we passed the island of Rurutu, one of the Austral Islands. This is the first and only land we will see in the 2200+ nautical miles from Aotearoa to Tahiti.  It is also Hikianalia’s first island to be drawn out of the sea – the first of many. See Tracking Map.

Rurutu

Sail Data

• time:  2012-10-24 04:00 UTC/GMT (18:00 HST Oct 23)
• position: 20 degrees 54.9 minutes S 150 degrees 48.1 minutes W
• course: 025 degrees True
• speed: 6 knots
• weather: mostly cloudy, some clearing, will have some stars to steer by
• wind: ESE 20 to 30 knots with higher gusts, backing to more easterly
• sea state: ESE 10 to 15 feet and choppy, SSE swells 8 to 10 feet, wind chop, confused but moderate 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: We are seeing more malolo.  One infant landed on deck, returned to the sea.  Caught a 25 to 30 pound mahimahi
• Sea Birds and Sea Life: A few more birds observed today including manu o ku.
• Marine Debris: None observed.