Hikianalia Report: Oct 10, 07:35 HST (2012-10-10 17:35 UTC/GMT)

This was a very interesting night of sailing with widely varying conditions from watch to watch.  The 6 pm to 10 pm watch experienced  light and variable winds, largely from the north but really all over the place.  The clouds were patchy, but beginning to fill in.  We were only averaging  about two knots and steering was not easy.  The 10 pm to 2 am watch saw the sky go to completely overcast, a light rain fell and winds lightened so that  they were only averaging about 1.5 knots.  During the 2 am to 6 am watch, the sky opened up except for a few clouds on the horizon.  Captain and navigator  Bruce Blankenfeld had lots of stars overhead to steer by and explain to the crew.  Winds settled down to south southwest (a really good direction for us)  and increased to 15 to 20 knots.  This has enabled us to average eight to nine knots this morning. It is truly an exhilarating feeling to experience this  new canoe and crew gliding along at good speed.

Sail Data

• position: 36.1076 degrees S 177.0397 degrees E
• course: 075 degrees True
• speed: 8.0 to 9.0 knots
• weather: clear overhead, some clouds on horizon
• wind: SSW 15-20
• sea state: NW swell 6 to 8 feet, SW swell 3-5  feet with wind chop
• vessel and crew condition: all ok (Faafaite also)

Education:

• Celestial Observations, Navigation Stars, Planets and Moon Phases: See progress report above.
• Animal Life:  None observed overnight.
•  Sea Birds and Sea Life: Gulls, Boobies, etc.
• Marine Debris: None observed