[The log
begins with a copy of a typewritten letter, as a ‘prolog’ pasted into the first
page of Volume I]
Being primarily an optimist regarding the adventure we call Life, I’ve generally felt there’s a good reason behind whatever happens along the way – even though at the time it may seem pretty grim. When something positive happens, though, not only does it feel good, but often past events (good and bad) can be traced to the roots of it.
When something works out and is right, and feels right, you know it’s right, and that’s how I’ve come upon my boat.
Yes, it’s finally come about, and I now own the sailboat I’ve long been working toward.
The original plan was to work and save for five years so I could purchase a Westsail 32 (or something similar) outright – cash. No rates! It became a choice between that and inflation, actually, and for a while boat prices were rising as fast as my savings balance. After a year saving in Santa Barbara and 3 ½ years with NOAA I figured I only needed one more year of saving to reach the goal.
Windsurfing came into my life in 1978 and proved to be a good diversion to keep my sailing sanity. I could afford a few of these “poor man’s yachts” and not dent the savings account noticeably. I actually became so fanatical with the sport that it has become like a religion and has done much to enlighten my esoteric philosophies of life… but that’s another story.
Because of windsurfing I decided to go out to work at Kwajalein for that final year. The pay was equal to what I’d been getting, but here there was the added bonus of a windsurfer’s paradise.
But because of windsurfing I also suffered a major setback in the boat saving plans. A windsurfing company in Santa Barbara which I’d invested in prior to leaving NOAA, filed bankruptcy, and 2/3 of my savings blew away like the wind. If it hadn’t been for the spirit-lifting qualities of windsurfing I don’t know what I would have done…
So I gritted my teeth and signed the contract for another year at Kwajalein. I decided to take whatever I could save after this past year (a total of 6 years saving, minus the loss) and buy whatever boat I could find – knowing I’d have to settle for something much less than a Westsail.
Boy, was I in for a surprise! Because of the setback and being here the additional year I’ve stumbled into a boat which is much more than a Westsail. An additional bonus to staying the second year was in picking up a Coast Guard Mate’s license.
Anyway, two weeks ago I gave notice to my boss that I’d be leaving this summer to return to the West Coast and look for a boat. Then last week the unexpected happened. My friend, John Vissat, who has been a windsurfing and sailing pal for two years, was promoted to captain (from mate). He will be transferred from his boat, the LIKTANUR II to EGABRAG III (garbage spelled backwards), another vessel in his company. EGABRAG III is based out of San Diego, so John will have to relocate.
1½ years ago John bought a sailboat in Majuro, 200 miles from Kwajalein. He got an unbelievable buy on it, but it also required quite a bit of work. I helped him sail the boat over here, and believe me, I’ve never felt a more seakindly vessel. She sailed the 6-8 foot seas, pushed by the brisk trades, like a real lady.
John put plenty of money and twice as much sweat into fitting out the boat, named RHYSLING[1]. Having built one boat which he cruised extensively through the Marquesas, Tuamotus, and Societies, John is well qualified for the task.
Virtually all of the difficult jobs are completed, and most of the necessary gear has been purchased to finish her out. John was undecided whether to keep RHYSLING or sell her. I asked to have first crack at her if he decided to sell, and he did. Basically he’s getting back everything he put into her, and I’m getting more boat than I ever dreamed I could afford.
RHYSLING is a 44 foot ketch. She was designed by John Alden, and her hull is from an early line of fiberglass boats called the COUNTESS 44, built by Pearson Yachts. She was custom built on the U.S. East Coast in 1965. Like many of the early fiberglass boats her hull was constructed extra heavily because of the unknown strength of glass at that time.
She is 44 feet on deck with a 12 foot beam. Her waterline length is 30 ½ feet and she draws 5 ½ feet. She has a full keel and attached rudder. Her auxiliary is a 60HP Westerbeke diesel. Masts are aluminum, and all standing rigging is stainless (brand new). She’s loaded with ground tackle, sail inventory, and spares. There’s a VHF radio, fathometer, and knotmeter. Things such as a wind vane (Aries), dinghy, liferaft, tools, etc., would all be needed with whatever boat I got, but they’re all part of the 19 pages of inventory.
The plan remains basically the same – but I’ll be staying out here another year. Even if I’d bought a boat in the U.S., it would have been a year before she’d be ready to cruise. By staying here I’ll get RHYSLING into cruising shape at my leisure while adding to the cruising kitty.
She’ll go into the water in Feb. ’85 (it’s safer to keep her out through the typhoon season and there are no yard storage charges here; no mooring fees either, for that matter). By May of ’85 she’ll be ready to go…destination: Fiji.
For peanuts I can have some custom interior woodwork done as well as some needed rehab in the cockpit. John has gotten specific estimates. It will greatly increase the value of the boat.
After some gunkholing around the hundreds of Fijian islands we’ll head in the direction of Australia to visit friends Down Under who have never given up hope that we’d make it some day.
Martin[2], from Santa Barbara, who has kept faith for all these years will be joining me at the outset, and my good friend, Cisco, the cook on LIKTANUR II, will most likely join us.
RHYSLING is a pretty spacious boat with 3 main cabins. After the refit in Fiji she’ll be able to comfortably accommodate 4 (long term cruising), but there will easily be room for 7. And you can be assured there’ll be at least one windsurfer stowed on deck! Once we get our act together we hope to share our fun with others. Keep in touch, and if you can afford the airfare to meet us someplace and don’t mind chipping in for food, why not join us for a few weeks of cruising? I’ll keep you posted…
So everything is falling together, now, but busy times are ahead. Two things will definitely suffer: my windsurfing and my correspondence. So if you don’t hear from me for a while, you know why – I’m up to my elbows in Boat!
For Sailing….
[End of typewritten letter; actual logbook entries begin here]
The last time I began a log it was nearly a year before I even owned a boat – when the “voyage” was merely in the dream stage. Now I’m preparing for another voyage and this time I’m not only already aboard the boat, but I’ve owned it nearly 2 months! I never had time to dream about this trip; seems I’m already into it.
Things never happen exactly as you plan them, especially if those plans go back nearly six years. That’s when Martin and I decided to begin saving for a good sized boat for some serious cruising.
I was ready to go back to Calif. and begin boat shopping when the unexpected happened, and I came upon Rhysling. At least I managed to write up a ditty about how it all transpired and send it out to those who knew of my plans.
I knew I’d become involved with the boat and thought I should let everyone know what happened to me. ‘Involved’ is putting it mildly! I just came up for a breath after 5 weeks of steady work. Gosh, I was getting frazzled. Even though we had about 2 weeks of excellent wind, I managed to ignore it all and not even go windsurfing – the longest period without boardsailing (when the opportunity i.e., wind, time, etc., prevailed) since I began the sport 6 years ago.
There were two “major” jobs left to do on Rhysling; according to John – the steering and the electrical systems.
THE STEERING IS IN! I’m so happy all went together smoothly. It was like assembling a puzzle someone else has taken apart – literally – but I did it. And it works like a charm. Slick as butter. Had to have some parts machined at FOM (cost $149.00) and Monroe[3] turned down a SS[4] pin to take out additional play. He also helped me install lots of zerks[5] (Berzerks?) too, so now it should be easy to keep things greased.
I want to keep an account of all I do, but it’ll take some catching up at first – seems I moved from project to project like lightening, and only now am I taking a breath to look back at what’s been done.
The things that follow weren’t necessarily completed in the order as it’s hard to remember exactly when each was done. Hopefully, I’ll find time enough each day or two from now on to keep a progressive account of the tasks completed.
Worried about some cracks in the rudder (solid teak) although John felt it was okay – I unshipped it and worked SIKADON epoxy in between and used bar clamps in an attempt to draw it together. The stringer bolts seem in good shape.
During good weather I spent several days filling dings and smoothing the hull, fairing it out for when I will paint it. The paint John bought is primo stuff – epoxy Awlgrip – I’ll have to spray it on, but it should be worth the extra hassle.
Tightened and strengthened all lifeline stanchions – some loose at bases. Rebedded one that leaked around the throughbolts. Fiberglassed and strengthened cockpit lockers, preparing them to be sealed up for the trip to Fiji where all will be torn out and replaced.
Installed engine instrument panel in cockpit. Wired alarms for oil pressure & H2O temp, also for high water in bilge. Made copper tubing for connecting between engine & oil press. gauge. Also fitted one for vacuum gauge. Connected gearshift lever and installed throttle cable (rebuilt throttle handle) and engine shut off cable (relocated in steering box). Installed 3 pos. switch for alarms in steering box.
Fitted new awning for cockpit using old drifter pole as ridge pole. Added bungeed hooks to existing awning for quick opening & closing. With the rainy season upon us it seems to be keeping the cockpit dry. Recaulked leaks in cockpit combing[6].
Cut away rotted wood at companionway threshold and in front of ladder and replaced with new wood. Also fiberglassed on cockpit side for weather-proofing (all will be replaced with new cockpit in Fiji).
Installed exhaust system. New SS pipe and water carrier tubing. Replaced SS pipe in muffler. Wrapped all with fiberglass insulation. Fashioned additional bracket in space to hold muffler firmly.
Reorganized tools and fasteners. Ordered miscellaneous tools and parts.
Filled small cracks in beams with epoxy. Reinstalled hinge on icebox lid. Rebuilt and reinstalled lift rings on both ice box lids. Riveted brackets and reinstalled ice box shelves (SS). Installed reefer unit and thermostat & control for ice box. Although I won’t be using the refrigeration – at least it’s all aboard now.
Installed foot pump and replumbed it to a new spigot in galley sink for hands-free washing.
Rebuilt and strengthened outside ladder. Reinstalled vent pipe for port fresh water tank which had been out to replace a bulkhead.
Strengthened fiddle[7] on galley counter
Installed secondary manual bilge pump in cockpit – port side. Exercised and lubricated (lanolin) all turnbuckles (6/24).
Yesterday – 6/25 I began preparing to mount a 3 pos. switch and volt meter to monitor my battery system.
Mounted 3 pos. switch and voltmeter on teak plate – positioned above cir. breaker panel. Wired switch and pulled wires to battery storage location. Tested on temp. battery – works fine!
Got out battery boxes and checked fit with batteries. The single 12V (for starter) fits perfectly. The 2 6V deep cycle house batteries are a bit loose in box. So I fashioned a stopper bar of wood and fit it to the box. Put a coat of paint on it, and after a second coat should be ready to install. Just need to get one more 12V house battery (probably from GSK).
Sanded down filled areas in main cabin beams.
Yesterday had a long shift so didn’t make it down to the boat. Day off today so got an early start. Put a second coat of paint on the battery box stopper bar. Routed the cockpit bilge pump hose into the bilge sump. Bundled engine gauge alarms in locker by companionway. Tightened hose connection in elec. bilge pump discharge hose.
Stenciled and painted “RHYSLING, KWAJALEIN M.I.” on stern. Avery tedious job. This is not the final job – just did it to allow me to document the boat with the CG[8] when I stop in Honolulu next month.
After another mid to 8 shift in Harbor Control I went right to work on Rhysling. Installed the stopper bar in the battery box and stowed it in the engine compartment. Crawled around under the cockpit sole and lazarette and checked the leads on wires and engine control cables. Tacked a few in position. John had removed the aft fuel tank vent to rebuild the steering gear mounting. I found the old one, but it didn’t fit in the new configuration. So I fashioned a new one of PVC and hose and installed it. Also placed cover over opening from old switch panel in cockpit (stbd. aft), so now it’s all sealed from the weather.
Another long work day, but managed to get a little accomplished during two 3 hour breaks. Designed a panel to install beneath the battery shelves. On it will be mounted the 2 diodes and battery selector switch. Had to make a cutaway for the port impeller thru-hull for the knotmeter. Not knowing how much it would protrude, I had to dig it out of the storage locker and actually see how it fit. Seems fine. Drilled all holes for mounting the panel as well as for the things which will go on it. Got one coat of undercoat paint on it.
Off work early today, but only put second coat of paint (after sanding) on new mounting panel.
Actually had “open house” for my Marshallese coworkers from the Tug – Dimbi Atrik, Peterson Wajar and Mauto Dinbo. Stocked up the cooler with Bud and we spent the afternoon talking story until they had to leave to catch the Tarlang[9] to Ebeye[10]. Now at least they know what I’m doing in my spare time. It will be fun to take them all sailing next year….
Spent yesterday windsurfing at a big picnic with the Yacht & W.S. Clubs. Beautiful day for freestyle and just hangin’ out at the beach – super R&R.
Just returned from he hobby shop where Kasahara helped me rip & plane some clear Douglas Fir for spacers in my cabin sole. Each has to be exactly 7/32” by ½” at varying lengths. I’ll put them in with epoxy when I’m ready to finish out the flooring.
Probably will have to work this weekend and for a few days next week on the LCU-26. Won’t get to “Rhysling” for a while but should make it up with a big O.T. check.
Called the CG documentation office and got filled in on what’s needed to re-document the boat. Sent copies of pertinent papers. Have to make the home port Honolulu – which is fine with me. Sounds like it will work out well.
The strips for the cabin sole were pretty tight so I had to shave each down a bit (tapered sides) with a block plane after cutting to length. Also had to square out the slots with mallet and chisel. A real time consuming job – 13 strips total, in various lengths. Then shot the slots with anti bug spray and coated the strips with wood preservative.
Now they’re all ready to be glued in place. May not get to it for a few days because of going out on the LCU, though.
Talked with CG documentation in Hono[11] and got address of office in N.Y. where “Rhysling’s” records are. Wrote to them to have everything transferred to Honolulu.
Returned today after a 4 day job in the lagoon on the LCU-26. Sanded and glued 13 strips of doug fir into the cabin sole cracks. Used T-88 epoxy. All that’s left is to plane the excess and sand all. After I install the engine hatches I’ll refinish the whole deck with satin varnish.
Also removed the homeport name “KWAJALEIN, M.I.” from the stern so I can mark it “HONOLULU, HI” as required by the CG.
Spent some time measuring and planning for interior and cockpit cushions. If I can get a decent price on an estimate I think I’ll go ahead and have them done. Was going to wait for Fiji, but don’t know if I’ll be able to get closed cell foam there. Besides, it will make the trip so much more comfortable.
Used a block plane to shave down the floor strips in the main cabin. Will finish them off with sander when I refinish the whole thing.
Spent Saturday finishing the cushion patterns and sending them off for estimates. Cisco scraped the loose paint in the galley, and I painted it out as well as the overhead in the main cabin. Due to dark color under, I’ll have to do a second coat next week. What a hassle. Today was spent working so nothing done on “Rhysling”.
Kind of let the log slip a bit, but that doesn’t mean no work was done. Got a second and final coat of paint on main cabin overheads – looks much lighter and roomier now.
Made new lettering and painted hailing port of “HONOLULU, HI.” on stern as required by CG for documentation. The lettering matches that of “RHYSLING” – and I must admit doesn’t look too bad for an amateur. Capt. Quillen, the Port Capt., went with me to take photos of the stern and registry numbers for the documentation. Got all the paperwork together, so things should go smoothly when I stop in Honolulu on the 3rd of next month.
Started wiring up cables for the batteries and start system. Still need the second diode – the one I ordered from Marine Buyers Co-op was out of stock but they didn’t tell me ‘til I inquired 3 months after ordering! Then a credit to me MC. $10.00 short – what a funky company. Will try to find one during my trip home next month.
Measured and cut out 3 shelves and supports to be installed in stbd. aft locker which will become a tool and spare parts locker. Got a coat of protective paint on all. Also measured and cut 2 (3/4”) ply pieces to cover the cockpit seats. Not only will they help further seal up the leaky seats until Fiji, but they’ll also keep the new cushions from being eaten up by the rough, existing seat tops.
Ordered a new VHF radio from Skipper Marine Electronics last week – a simple 12 channel model by Cybernet.
The account with FISCO[12] in Seattle is now open – on a COD basis. I sent in a prepaid order for the new stove/oven, and a 60# CQR[13] -- along with misc items – Tricolor, lamp, seaswing[14], etc.
Got a letter off to Mitchell Whippy – mgr. of the boatyard in Fiji, letting him know of my plans.
Got a complete parts list on the S/L[15] 555 windlass from Seagull Marine. They can supply the parts I need.
After the all night tower watch in Harbor Control I took it easy working on the boat yesterday. Installed the newly made shelf brackets and finally the shelves in the stbd. locker. Considering the size of each shelf and the opening, it’s amazing that I got them in. It was like a puzzle, but the all eventually fit.
Sanded and applied a second coat of protective paint to the cockpit cover boards. They’re now ready to install.
Sent to Quality Marine Goods for some teak furnishings for the interior – book cases, binoc racks, etc. Also sent for 4 brass lamps from West Marine.
After work Mon. got to work in cockpit area. Attached binding wire to rudder shaft arm. Checked loose thru-hull for port cockpit drain. Removed and cleaned threads. All ready to reinstall, but will need some help. Probably will so the same with stbd. one as it could be getting loose, too.
Later…. After work today went to see how I’ll be raising the masts higher in their storage place inside the round house. Seems they want them higher to have more room for working on the boats underneath. Lucky for me Mark Bawcorn came along (all excited to tell me of his windsurfing fun on Kauai). He offered to get some friends to help do the job tomorrow afternoon. He also helped me re-install that port thru-hull fitting. A real load off my mind to get it completed.
Got a letter from John today with enclosed notarized CG bill of sale. At least I think I have all necessary paperwork for the documentation next month.
Bought metal files, wire brush, foxtail & misc. items at GSK today.
Day off today, but not much done on Rhysling. We were supposed to finish painting Camp Hamilton so I spent the morning straightening up my room (things were getting piled pretty high!). Cut out ref. articles from Cruising World, did laundry, etc.
The work at Camp Ham. was cancelled. So I took the time to get photos and an updated article together and off to Drew K. at WINDSURF. This will be the last time I send any article in for a while. Just wanted to get this taken care of since he asked for more photos and promised he’d be running something in the future.
Spent Friday afternoon measuring and planning for Aries[16] installation. Seems I’ll need to extend the vane rudder shaft at least 6” in order for it to be right. Will write to Nick Franklin[17] after I get the reply to my last letter.
Earlier in the week I got the masts raised in the roundhouse with the help of Mark B. We used a tackle and lots of sweat. Whew! What a job. Next day I re-covered them with paper where the old stuff had torn off. There are some scratches which I’ll have to take care of in Feb. when I take them down.
Off work early and began installation of fresh water (manual) pump in head sink. Mounted bracket for pressure shower head at sink. Had to disconnect hot water line to have line for pump, but until I install a hot water heater, it’s not needed for the shower water.
Wasn’t going to do much today, but a few teak items came from E&B Marine and wanted to at least assemble them on the boat.
Only took a few minutes so, got into tracing and replumbing H[ot]Water line from head faucet from pressure water system to hand pump. I’ll feel much better having a secondary fresh water pump in case things really foul up. It’s a bit extra work, but will be worth it in peace of mind.
Will be off on vacation tomorrow nite, but perhaps will get a bit more done prior to leaving.
Returned from vacation Wednesday noon. Got plenty done for the boat – bow roller machined, parts for head, covering for forepeak sides. Shipped about 14 packages of items for the boat from storage in P.A.[18] Sent off barograph for calibration and adjustment. Checked on thermal paper for NC-88[19]. Looked at rigid dinghies. The Lyle Hess designed “Fatty Knees” looks like a likely candidate. Shipped Zodiac and mooring line by air.
Spent today finishing the plumbing job on Rhysling. Now the hand pump is operational in the head sink. Worked on locker hinges and latch. Added supports to port side of cockpit awning.
Prepared letter to Nick Franklin to order new Aries Wind Vane. The price is too good to pass up - £ = $1.33U.S.
Worked all day Sat and all nite in the tower. Sunday was spent wiring the isolators for the charging system. Some question about the proper wire size, but am using the largest gauge I have. Should have it pretty well finished today. Once that’s done and I tidy up the loose wires in the eng. compartment I should be ready to re-install the engine hatches.
LATER ---- The charging system is in! Wiring between the alternator and 3 batteries, diodes and house/starting system is all in. When John filled me in on what projects were pending on the boat he said the only 2 major projects remaining were the steering and electrical – and now they’re both completed! It’s like a big burden off my shoulders. There are still plenty of things left to do, but now it all seems like “fun” stuff.
A bit left to do in the head. Will re-install the engine space hatches and then fit out the stowage shelves on P&S sides of main cabin – including a roughed out NAV station (until a proper one is installed in Fiji), then re-install the sliding doors each side.
A bit of “fine tuning” on the electrical system: soldered 4 terminal lugs. They were mechanical-screw type before, but these are much better.
Then I connected the vacuum, oil press., and water temp. alarm sensors to the engine and cleaned the entire engine compartment. Next project will be to re-install the engine room hatches.
Reinforced the fiddle on the counter in the head. That pretty much takes care of the work in there.
Checked out the press[ure] water pump. It works on manual but not auto. Will check the manual on it. The order from Quality Marine Goods finally arrived – including the outlet covers. Began rewiring those for the 12V system so they can’t be confused with 110V. It’s a time consuming process, but will be worth it in the end. Finished off the dowels in the head fiddle.
Going up to Roi[20] with the tug for 2 days so will be away from Rhysling a bit.
I’m not going crazy with what I want to do, but look forward each day to accomplishing a bit more on the project. I know it’s all going to work out.
Returned today after to trip to Roi at about 1700 and went right down to work on Rhysling. Finished rewiring the 12V outlets, also rewired the 12V fan in forepeak. Installed first of 5 new 12V lamps.
Have to work ½ day tomorrow, but the OT will be good.
Shortly after noon yesterday I was down at the boat. Connected up the tachometer cable. Then brought out the engine space hatches. Cleaned them up a bit and fit them in place. Cut new strap hinges (SS) to fit existing holes. Will use larger screws, but must countersink about 200 holes – as soon as I get a decent countersink. Power-sanded entire cabin sole including hatch covers, then put a coat of teak oil down.
Went to bed early prior to midnight watch in the tower.
After watch at 8 this morning, I was back at Rhysling. Measured and made patterns for temporary nav station on port side. Cut and fit ply to make desk and seat. An all day job that turned out better than I’d expected. Also replaced 2 lamps in main cabin.
Countersunk the holes in the hinges for the engine hatches (about 130 holes!). Installed another cabin lamp (12V) and started on another. Managed to clean up the old 12V fan from the forepeak today on the tug. Probably could have done more but several people came by interested in windsurfers. Guess I’ll be making another order soon….
Finished installing the last of the elec. cabin lamps. Cut out and installed a partition for a tool storage area above the tool box. Relocated an AC inverter next to it to make room for additional storage. Reassembled the fan and also began working out a bracket arrangement for a chart light at the Nav station.
Gosh, I can’t believe that it was Tuesday when I made the last entry… Busy every night this week, but with lots of interruptions for the windsurfer order. Earlier in the week I got the confirmation on the cushion estimate. Measured out 22 yds. of acrylan and packaged and mailed it to Florida. Finished putting in all the screws in the engine hatch hinges. Put in a chart bin under the nav station.
Thursday constructed 4 wooden boxes to hold plastic containers of fasteners (8 per box). Today sorted the fasteners & misc. parts that have been accumulating. They will fit in the cabinet with shelves stbd. side aft. Varnished the nav station and ply tool bins -- more for protection than looks. Installed 3 shelf dividers on stbd. side. Next project will be to re-install sliding doors each side in the main cabin.
The days have slipped by again, and it’s due to being so busy aboard Rhysling. Sat. after work hauled down all 6 of the sliding doors. Dinbo & Peterson helped me as they stopped by for a beer after work. After the all night Sat-Sun shift at Harbor Control I worked 10 hours Sunday. Fixed and installed all of the sliding doors (5 total). Cut out head & forepeak cabin doors for vent boxes. Reinstalled doors.
Monday – fitted and cut new shelf for stbd. midships locker. Added fiddles to existing shelf in same locker after making cutouts for engine alarm sensors. Also made fiddles for stbd. aft locker shelves. Painted all and varnished vent boxes for 2 doors.
Today I was at it again right after work. Installed the painted shelves and fiddles. Fashioned and installed mounting boards for 2 new handsaws I recently bought at GSK.
Then wired the new nav station with 2 circuits. One aft using the lighting circuit (port) to energize 2 12V outlets. One will be used for the chart light. The other –fwd—using the instrument circuit to energize a board to power radio & satnav.
This morning I wrote to the Clerk of Courts, Majuro, about getting the proper notarization on the Bill of Sale for CG Documentation.
The last 3 days of last week were spent on a trip to Roi Namur, and it looks as though we’ll be doing the same this week. But I’m still managing to get plenty done on Rhysling.
Installed and tested the new VHF radio in the nav station. Also installed a chart light and the hand bearing compass box.
Decided to send the VHF in to change some of the crystals (4) to make it more versatile.
Installed binocular racks, book & magazine racks & oil lamp in lower cabin. Wired and installed cassette player & speakers (sounds great!). Installed fathometer and loudhailer. Rewired and installed knotmeter.
Began working on S/L windlass (have to order some replacement parts).
Got a letter from Nick Franklin. He’ll be sending the new Aries by air freight.
Seems the days keep slipping by…
Just got the paperwork from the Marshall Islands Clerk of Courts (notary) so now I can send the proper paperwork in for the documentation.
Over the weekend I sorted spares and transferred all parts and tools to the upper cabin storage lockers and shelves. Now the forecabin & lower cabin & galley lockers and shelves are freed up for their intended use.
Cisco helped me sort fasteners and misc. parts. A good project on a rainy day.
Ordered a portable VHF last week.
Now that the major interior work is completed, I hope to begin gradually moving items aboard.
Mostly cleaned up in the forecabin. Cleared out all wood spares and long pieces of material there and moved it all into the roundhouse. Now the lower cabin and forecabin are ready for whatever will regularly be stowed there. No more tools and junk. Rhysling is finally beginning to resemble a boat inside rather than a workshop.
The barge, which came last week, had my new stove and anchor from FISCO, Seattle. The stove is a beauty, and fit perfectly into the existing space. Just had to shim out the gimbals[21] ½ inch.
Now that I have the 60# CQR, which will be my working anchor, I can fit it to the bow chocks and roller and install my windlass, etc. Also am designing a bow pulpit. Made the template and have to bend the SS pipe to fit.
Covered the ugly pegboard in the forepeak with the wallpaper I got while on vacation. Moved 7 boxes of books and misc. items aboard (had installed fiddles to 4 bookcases in forepeak).
Monday – Columbus day holiday – D.A. came by to check out my pressure water system. Seems to work ok, but not enough water in tanks to build up suction. So much slime came out, I decided to clean the tanks first. Started with the stbd. one (100 gals.). It took most of the day just to get the flooring up to get access to the inspection plate. There are two plates. Yesterday I got the second one up and finished scrubbing out the tank using water and bleach. Lots of fungus and slime, yech! Really am glad I’m doing this even though it’s plenty of work.
We have a trip to Roi today. Should button up the stbd. tank and start on the center one when we return.
Got the stbd. water tank all closed up and everything re-installed around it yesterday. Sprayed Liquid Wrench on the nuts holding the covers on the center tank as they looked rusty (low grade SS). After an overnight soaking they came loose with little trouble. Spent the afternoon and evening today scrubbing out this tank. Plenty of slime and gook. Really thrashed my hands in the bleach water and sharp edges of fiberglass. This was the largest of all the tanks at 150 gal. so it’s all downhill from here. Day off tomorrow so I’ll probably tackle the port tank – which has the most stuff to disassemble around it. Then the forepeak tank will be a piece of cake.
Finished the port tank Saturday. Took most of the day dismantling everything and getting the floorboards up. Once I got to scrubbing, though, I was determined to finish it in one go. By 9pm I was done. I took the precaution of wearing gloves, but alas, they leaked so my already thrashed hands were soaked in the bleach solution.
As tired as I was, I couldn’t sleep all night. My hands burned as if someone had set them on fire. Pus was oozing from the backs of my fingers. I think breathing all those fumes made me somewhat delirious. I almost went to the hospital, but stuck it out.
Sunday I had to work so it was a day of rest. Between shifts, though, I managed to replace the inspection covers and bolt them down.
Today I finished re-installing the floorboards and surrounding cabinetry. Now all that remains is the forepeak tank, but I think I’ll give my hand a bit of a rest before tackling it. The biggest part of the job is behind me now.
Happened to talk with Ellis about my elec. system, and he gave me some ideas on installing an ammeter. Since I had one I spent the evening wiring it into the system. So now I’ll be able to monitor how much current is being used to charge the batteries from the alternator. Learning all the time.
Trimmed ¼” off the end of one of the port upper cabin sliding doors to give more clearance for the tool chest drawers. Shaved down the new spacer installed between the teak flooring I had to remove to get to the port tank inspection plates.
Plumbed in 2 water filters in the lines for the manual fresh water pumps in galley and head. Discovered crack in head pump, so removed it and glued it with epoxy.
The VHF came back in today’s mail with new channels installed. Reinstalled it in its spot at the nav station.
Yesterday only spent a couple hours on Rhysling. Reinstalled the repaired hand pump in the head. Seems to work fine now – no leaks.
Primed the pressure water pump and after 2 tries she kicked on and came up to pressure. Really pumps out the water! But I think the pressure switch needs cleaning ‘cause it doesn’t kick off when up to pressure. Will look into it in the next few days…
Day off today – work tomorrow. Replaced inspection cover on forepeak tank. Friday afternoon I opened it and scrubbed it out. So now all the fresh water tanks are clean! Hooray. So glad that job is done.
Took out the pressure water pump and motor and took it all apart. Cleaned the tube going to the press. switch and checked the switch. Also the shaft packing on the pump. After reassembling it and connecting everything up it worked like a charm. Now I know how that system works.
My windlass parts came in today’s mail so I assembled my S/L windlass. The holes for the clutch cone pin didn’t match up, so I had to work it open with the drill. Not sure how strong it will be, but there’s not much choice. Perhaps I can strengthen the pin some more though.
Sorted some elec. parts and clipped up the speaker wires for the cassette. Installed the paper towel rack in galley. Just small inside jobs. It’s been pouring rain all day. Thank goodness Rhysling’s a dry boat (except the cockpit!). The chainplate on stbd. side I rebedded doesn’t leak anymore so that was obviously the problem (water found in locker next to stove). No more water in the locker.
Gosh, a whole week has passed since the last entry. Start making holders for the water filters I installed in the fresh water lines for the galley and head manual pumps. One PVC fitting on the galley filter cracked so I’ll have to find a replacement.
The Aries came in by air freight last week. Spent my day off Saturday setting it up, measuring and drilling holes in the transom for the mounting brackets. Dick Loser[22] helped, but even so, I was up and down ladders a million times.
Cut the laminated teak block to size for the base of my anchor chock. Kasahara helped me do it at the hobby shop. Started drilling the mounting holes in the chock – ½” holes in SS takes time. Luckily I have use of the drill press in the roundhouse. Wally bored the holes for the roller pin at his shop (15/16”).
Sunday was cleanup day at the roundhouse. Did some “yard work” around the cradle – pulling weeds and generally straightening up. Looks much better. In the afternoon I managed to drill and mount the windlass on the foredeck. Directed the holes longitudinally through the deck beams so it’s solid. Put epoxy all around the spill pipe hole and bedded all holes with sealant-adhesive.
Cut some Teflon disks to fit the outside of the bow roller and prevent the aluminum from friction against the SS.
Evening – Finished drilling the holes in SS anchor chock – ½” holes each taking about 45 minutes to drill. Tough stuff! Cut down the Teflon disks to fit the roller better. Cut a tube of SS to fit on pin above roller. Will fashion stainless piece to weld to it and create a pawl. Things are really taking shape with the ground tackle system.
This is the longest “gap” since I began the log! Main excuse is that I moved from the PBQ to a BQ room. A big hassle, and everything still somewhat unorganized. Tried to do it as quickly as possible, without losing too much boat-work time.
Yesterday I finished mounting the anchor chock with bow roller. Last weekend I mounted the windlass – so now the whole system is installed! I even tested it with the anchor – works like a champ. The windlass is through bolted into the deck beams – solid. The chock is on the 3 ¾” teak pad – 2 through bolts and 2 lag bolts. The whole system is bullet-proof.
Last weekend Cisco helped me install the Aries mounts – through bolted with backing blocks on the transom. I set up the whole thing and it’s fine. We also pulled the stbd. cockpit drain through-hull and cleaned and rebedded it.
Installed some handles and rails inside the galley and main cabin. Also put up the new teak cassette holder; pin rails and knife rack in galley. Fashioned a tiedown spot for the hot water thermos.
Cisco picked up some nice SS pans in Majuro for the galley. He also donated a few utensils which he’d picked up on Kauai.
Monday is Vet’s day so I’ll have an extra day to work on Rhysling this weekend.
Best news of all: The documentation finally went through! Effective 31 October Rhysling is officially documented with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Put in one last lag bolt on the anchor chock last weekend and managed to break my fingertip when the wrench slipped and rammed it against the anchor. Swollen & sore. I took a break from the boat work and went windsurfing for a change.
Filled some termite tracks in the midships upper bunk bottom and was surprised to find some live ones. Shot them with insecticide and treated all surrounding wood with preservative. Probably will have Rhysling fumigated in Fiji just to be sure.
Installed overhead handles in both main cabins. Also rings in galley for a cooking standup safety belt.
Yesterday I began bending the pipe for the bow pulpit. Felix Cramer loaned me his hydraulic bender and gave me some pointers. The first bend is done and doesn’t look too bad! The bender works like a charm. I’m just taking my time and following the cardboard pattern and measurements I made.
Restowed the port screens in the chain locker (overhead). Put in an eyebolt for the bitter end of the chain.
Friday installed padeyes for galley slings. Thrubolted and solid. Did a general cleanup and stowing of excess gear. Yesterday I completed the bow pulpit. It turned out better than expected. Not only did I make it like the original, but also bent a secondary horizontal pipe for added strength. Have to get some machine work done on the deck fittings and have the whole thing welded. Then she’ll be ready to mount. Next project will be to measure and order the new lifelines. I want to add a second lower set to what exists and make them all wire (vinyl covered).
Got out all ground tackle from the roundhouse and began stowing it in the cockpit lockers. Want to do some de-rusting and priming on the Luke[23] before stowing it, though. The plan is to get everything where I want it in the next few weeks, so by mid or late December I can seal up the cockpit. Then I can take off the awning and test for leaks when it rains. January is going to be “painting month”.
Had to work last nite, but managed to get a bit done. Fashioned 2 key pins for the fisherman anchor of stainless plate. Also began bending rod for bails to be welded to the bow pulpit. Took the fittings in to FOM machine shop for lathe work. Then I can install them. Measured for lifelines and fittings and called order into FISCO. Will have double wire lines with proper gates. Should cost about $300.00, but worth it.
Spent Thurs. morning – Thanksgiving – doing some sorting and stowing of spares and fasteners. Nice dinner at the Englesches with Paul Brown & Ellice – plenty of boat conversation. The pulpit fittings were finished Friday at FOM. They’re also faring up the main halyard sheaves for me – making the wire groove workable with the new prestretched Dacron halyards.
Lots of rain today so continued sorting parts and fasteners. The new drawers for the parts boxes came in today’s mail – good timing. Re-bungeed those as well as putting some bungee on the new cassette rack.
Yesterday was spent mainly getting the pulpit ready for welding. Set it all up after drilling holes for a locking pin in the forward stanchion. Used clamps and got it to hold reasonably well. Took some shaping and filing on some of the pipe ends. Then Wally ran out his cables and they just reached so he could use the arc welder to tack weld the whole thing together. Just enough to hold it in the right position so I can take it to FOM and have it heliarc welded. I also fitted the halyard and lifeline bails to place and marked them for mounting. Hopefully I’ll have everything welded this week.
Called West Marine this morning about ordering Fatty Knees. They’re going to check into it for me – especially about the shipping.
Found out yesterday the cost of shipping a Fatty Knees dinghy out here would be nearly $900.00! These things always happen for a reason…found out Nate Jackson is wanting to build and sell dinghies in order to raise money for his own boat. So I “commissioned” him to build mine. It will be a fiberglass pram – 8’ – similar to an El Toro. He says he can do it in about 1½ months which will work well as I’ll be needing it in about 2 months. The whole thing should cost around $500.00.
The pulpit is completed and installed! Got it back from FOM welding yesterday. They did a beautiful job of heli-arc welding on it.
The barge has come and gone and my cushions have arrived. Haven’t seen them yet though. It’s been raining all day and since they’re packed in cardboard I’ll wait ‘til better weather to take them to Rhysling on a forklift. Yesterday I cleaned and cleared the bunks and seats for them.
Best news of all is that John will be coming back out here! He will become captain of the LIKTANUR II and Keith will go to the Egabrag II. Don’t know how long he’ll be here, but it would be really neat if he were here for the launching. At any rate he’ll be able to help me get the engine started which I was planning on doing next week anyway. It’ll be exciting for him to see the progress I’ve made…
It’s been raining on and off all week. Yesterday there was enough of a break between showers that I was able to get the cushions down to Rhysling. Lauti brought them on a forklift, and I met him there. He helped me get them aboard.
They all fit perfectly! It’s hard to describe what they did to transform the interior into a warm, cozy cabin! It cost a lot to have them made and shipped out here, but worth every cent of it.
Rhysling really seems like a boat inside now. Temporarily I put the cockpit cushions inside, but after I seal it up they’ll go outside to stay.
Used epoxy to mount the Velcro strips which hold up the backs. Everything worked out as planned. I’m stoked!
A long gap in the log, but not because I haven’t been doing anything! Rather because I’ve been too busy. Soon after John arrived we set to work getting the engine running. It started with little trouble and after some troubleshooting to find how air was getting (through the vacuum tube) it runs like a champ. The alternator really puts out a load. I can even run AC stuff, with the inverters while I’m charging the batteries!
John and Monroe found my rudder shaft wasn’t seated all the way in the rudder. So I have to lower the steering assembly about ¼”. It’ll be plenty of work, but worth it, to say the least.
Two days ago I began fairing out the hull to prepare for painting. John showed me what to do. So I’m filling with resin & spot putty and sanding, sanding, sanding. 44 feet is a lot of hull! Hopefully I’ll get the first undercoat on in a day or two.
This year should be an eventful one, to say the least!
After a week of sanding, filling, & smoothing the topsides I was all set to spray the undercoat when the tradewinds come up. It hasn’t dropped below 12 knots in a week and a half… too much for spray painting. Sooo – I began working on the bottom.
Decided to go the full route and take care of the blisters. There were about 110 of them. Most were filled with a dark liquid – sticky like resin – which ran out when each was opened up. They range in size from 1-6 inches, but none appears to be deeper than the first or second layer of cloth. After they’re dried out I’ll fill each with epoxy.
Used paint remover and a scraper to remove all the old bottom paint. That job took 2 days. Yesterday I began sanding the bottom. Did the entire side in about 4 hours by myself. Thank goodness I have a power sander, but it’s still a big job. I work all night tonight in Harbor Control, then I’ll have all day New Years sanding the port side. The plan is to lay on 2 coats of Coal Tar epoxy before applying the bottom paint. This will be done a few days prior to launching.
If the winds keep up John is going to help me rig a wind break so we can spray the topsides. He comes by often and offers suggestions and encouragement. Frequently he takes time to help with some of the work at hand. Hope some day I can repay him for all he’s done for me…
The topsides are painted! About 2 weeks ago the wind slowed down enough to allow us to spray the undercoat. It went on thick and filled everything. Then it was a solid week of sanding to prepare for the final coat. On Tues., the 22nd the wind dropped to calm. I took a day off work and John & I sprayed it out. 2 coats of linear polyurethane. The second coat went on a bit prematurely on the port side so we got a few sags, but not too bad. Overall she’s beautiful!
All the blisters are filled (155 of them) and I’m ready for the barrier coat. Decided to do it now with one coat of bottom paint to guarantee adhesion. Then just prior to launching I’ll put on the second coat of bottom paint.
Looks like launch date will be slipped back a bit. Late Feb. at best, but possibly sometime in March. The painting just took much longer than I ever expected. Still lots to do “on deck” to get her ready for the water….
Last Sunday got the bottom painted. Started at 8am and worked steadily ‘til dark. Actually got blisters on my hand from the roller. Put on 4 coats of coal tar epoxy and then one coat of anti fouling one right after the other – five times around.
Dick L. was cutting in while I rolled. It’s a good barrier coat – really thick. It drew quite a bit of attention as it was jet black – quite a contrast to the white topsides! The bottom paint is brown. Just before launching I’ll put a final coat on the bottom and paint the bootstripe.
Began teaching another celestial class this week (2 nites per week – 1 month). It takes away some work time, but I enjoy it and it will mean some extra money.
Yesterday was spent sealing up the cockpit – at last. Made one of the lockers (stbd) accessible by fashioning a bolt-down hatch with gaskets on top. Sealed the other side with lots of silicone. Then used muslin and Arabol[24] (airball!) to seal the bridge deck and sole. All the cracks in the teak are sealed now, so it should be leakproof!
Next project: prep & paint house & decks.
Spent the week preparing the cabin top for painting. Found some very small blisters under the existing paint. Decided to prime over the paint and sand and paint the polyurethane on top. May have to strip it all off in Fiji and re-do it. But I just don’t want to spend too much time here on it. Really want to get Rhysling launched and sailing! There’s a one page list of items to do before I can launch, so I’m anxious to get them done.
Took one of the cradle supports out so I could sand and coal tar epoxy beneath the pad, then bottom paint. Had a major catastrophe when the whole gallon of bottom paint dumped in the main cabin after I’d mixed it. Luckily there were papers down. But it took an hour to clean up. Salvaged about 2/3 of the paint. At $150.00 per gallon it was worth the effort. Should have just enough to do one final coat on the bottom before launching.
Began staying aboard a few nights this week – really felt comfortable. Rhysling’s going to be a nice home…
Painted out the cockpit as a final sealer over the Arobal [sic]. Really looks sharp, even though it’s only temporary.
Wrote to Fiji, Gilbert & Marshall Is. governments last week about visas and permits for visiting their countries.
Also last week got all the new lifelines installed & cleaned up the stanchions.
After putting bottom paint over the coal tar on the cradle support spot & letting it dry, I covered it with waxed paper and replaced the support. The wind is unusually strong (as it usually is this time of year – 18-25 kts) and the boat seemed to be shaking a bit. It was scary walking on deck feeling it move. I’ll do the other supports when it calms down a bit.
Took the pallet off the stern which was covering/ventilating the lazarette. Assembled all the hardware on the “new” hatch cover and installed it. Bedded all the screws, replaced bad ones, and shimmed it as necessary. Refinishing the hatches took off about 1/16” of wood on each side.
Tinted the white enamel with some yellow and painted out the cockpit with a second coat. Now the glare doesn’t hit so hard yet it still should remain fairly cool.
Drilled the nut and end of the rudder shaft and fitted a cotter pin to it.
Took measurements and sketched location of all thru-hulls as well as where to place straps for haulouts.
Spent the week on and off at odd jobs. Replumbed engine cooling water intake. Connected fuel lines to tank. Began packing shaft, but packing too large, so found some the right size. Fitted forward hatch, but after shimming hinges, had to relocate 2 of them by plugging and re-drilling holes. Pete Brusasco, the new skipper of our tug was over to help one night. Only one more hatch to go. It’s a 3 day weekend (Washington’s B-day) so hope to finish painting the house & deck. Wind & rain Saturday, though, so no go. Added rust inhibitor to engine cooling water (4 oz. initially – then 2 oz. each 250 hours).
Sent application for FCC licenses (ship station and operator). Called TOPGEAR in England and ordered Walker Satnav (£890) and a radar unit (£1140). The US dollar is way up – 1 £ = $1.04US, so it was a real buy. Never thought I could afford radar! Seems a bit extravagant, but if I can afford it, why not….
Missed last week’s entry ‘cause I forgot to take the log to work. Usually I get this done on my weekly relief shift in the tower (every Sunday morning). Been working on my batteries this week. They’re all charged and ready. Start battery is installed. Just have to wire the 3 12V DieHards in parallel and the 2 6V’s in series and install.
Last week, on 21 Feb., I gassed the boat. It was really an experience. I was literally shaking in my boots! The stuff John had was really lethal stuff and there was a full case of 24 cans. I made a nail board with 24 sharpened nails. Took all the cushions off as well as bedding, etc. Sealed all cracks and openings, and opened all lockers, drawers, bins, engine compartment, etc. Rigged an exhaust blower and 2 fans so when I plugged in the power cable they’d all go on automatically and clean the air.
Then like a madman preparing a bomb, I rigged a cement block on a sling suspended from the main cabin skylight. Under it I carefully placed the nail board and on it the case of gas cans (actually liquid with a low boiling point). A string with a slipknot was rigged to the weight and led out the companionway. After closing it up I triggered it from outside. It took 2 tries but I finally got it to drop onto the cans which were punctured and spewed out liquid turning to gas. I left the boat 2 days so it could penetrate every crack & crevice.
Then, over the weekend I began airing it out. The boat had a weird, foul smell that just didn’t want to go away. I thought maybe something like a mouse or geckos were rotting somewhere. So I went through every bin & locker, sweeping and vacuuming. Nothing. But I discovered that certain rubber goods such as my wetsuit and bungee cords, etc., just have reacted to the gas ‘cause they smelled weird. So now they’re stowed in the lazarette and things are smelling much more like normal. I’m again sleeping on the boat. Last Sunday I got the masts out of the roundhouse. The Yacht Club had to move 3 boats to get them down. It was a real zoo – too many chiefs and no indians – everyone had a different idea on how things should be done. But it got done and I never could have done it alone.
I made an offer to Felix Cramer to buy his fiberglass dinghy and he accepted! It’s a real beauty – really strongly built. Just perfect for Rhysling – can be sailed, too! Spent today putting on a fender rail around the gunwale.
Getting several coasts of varnish on the boom cradle and should be ready to install it soon. Hope to be in the water in a few weeks!
Called out to work the midnight tower shift so it’ll give me an extra day off. Some bummer news this week: the mooring I thought I had for Rhysling has been taken over by another boat. Soooo I’ll just set my own. Luckily I have a 1500# anchor to use and the chain and float. Paul LaPointe said he’d help me. We may do it tomorrow.
Been working on the mast – getting it wired up – VHF antenna mounted, anemometer mounted, wind direction indicator mounted, etc. Finished varnishing the boom crutch and mounted it on the cabin top.
Finally got all the batteries wired and installed in the engine compartment. Total of 6 – one large start battery, 2 6V deep cycle batteries wired in series for 12V and 3 12V deep cycle’s wired in parallel. All total for the house batteries I have nearly 300 amp hours!
put a couple of layers of cloth & glass on the dinghy skeg to add some strength. Hope to spray a coat of finish paint on the bottom today.
The sign painter was around to take measurements, and will probably paint Rhysling on the transom this weekend.
Rhysling seems to have a real personality now. Her name is painted boldly on the transom now. The painter also put the name on the dinghy: “PUDDLE SHUTTLE”.
Got the dinghy painted as planned last weekend. Continued work on the masts – mounted the sheave box, cleaned the track and began attaching the standing rigging. Got the rest of the cradle support areas coal-tar epoxied and bottom painted.
Received a permit for 6 months’ visit at Fiji from their immigration office.
Will be making the final arrangements for launching soon. Hope to have her in within 2 weeks.
Finally got the mooring in. Paul LaPointe did the diving and I ran the boat. We used a lift bag to move the anchor into position. It’s set with a doubled length (16 ft.) of 5/8” chain and a 1” nylon rode[25]. So now at least Rhysling has a home….
In less than a week we’ll be in the water! Launch date of 29 March, Friday – has been set. All the paperwork is in for use of the truck and crane. Decided to do everything in one shot and step the masts at the same time.
So the pace of preparations is increasing. Had a split shift the past week so used the time to get the masts and rigging ready. Made up the new backstay so now all standing rigging is brand new and rigged. Spliced the halyards and rove them. Decided to remove the antenna, anemometer, etc., from the masthead to avoid possible crane damage. Cleaned the mast track and installed new spreader lights.
Flushed out 2 of the F water tanks; 2 to go. Sanded and bleached, then oiled all the exterior teak trim. She really looks “yachty” now.
Painted the last coast of anti-fouling – Dick L. helped with that. Painted the bootstripe to give her a real finished look.
The Satnav and Radar came in yesterday’s mail. Satnav looks good. Unfortunately the radar display unit was damaged in the mail by rough handling. Will have to put in an insurance claim. Oh well, it’s not something I absolutely must have. We’ll just see how it works out.
Rhysling has been re-launched at last. The past 2 weeks have been hectic, to say the least, but although I missed making a log entry, I did manage to get a letter off to Mom describing the whole launching event, so I’ll quote it –
“I made the best estimate I could of how much longer it would be until she was ready., In order to use the equipment necessary, I had to fill out some paperwork and turn it in 2 weeks in advance. I had to use a huge flatbed truck (the back end has 16 tires on it) and the largest mobile crane on the island. Rhysling weighs 13 tons. Of course I have to pay for the cost of using the equipment plus the wages of the men who operate it. But it’s not too much, probably $200.00 for the whole job. I decided to step the masts right after the boat was launched. So I had to prepare all the rigging ahead of time. The masts were located in an area next to the boat cradle about ¼ mile from the launch site.
“I made arrangements with Mel Carr, Port Captain, to launch at the pier on the inside of the harbor where it was deep and calm. Rhysling draws 6 feet of water. There was only one place the crane could fit, and in order to use it, 2 boats had to be moved from their berths. Mel took care of getting that done (lucky I work in the Marine Dept!).
Launch date of Friday the 29th was set. On Thurs. afternoon I planned on moving the masts down to the pier. Prior to this I had bundled and padded all the wires and lines and tied them to the masts. The masts were freshly painted and shiny-new so I didn’t want to scratch them up. With a total of nearly 30 wires and lines it looked like a rigging nightmare, but I knew what each and every one of them was and where it went on the boat.
Earlier I had painted the final coat of anti-fouling bottom paint on Rhysling and finished off with her blue bootstripe at the waterline. There were lines and fenders to get ready, batteries to charge, water tanks to flush and many, many small but important details to take care of (like putting on the propeller and zinc anodes and installing the knotmeter rotors in the bottom).
On Thursday afternoon it was raining steadily, but there was no turning back now – everything was arranged. Eight of my windsurfing friends and a few others met near the boat, and we loaded the masts onto a truck. The main mast is 55 feet long and can be lifted by no less than 8 people. It was so long that we feared it may bend in half because of the long overhang at each end, so my friends and I walked with it to support the ends. We crawled along, all soaked in the drizzling rain; looking like a giant centipede. At the pier we took it into the cargo shed where a friend, who is a welder, was waiting to weld a new section onto the base which replaced the old, corroded mast base. He also welded brackets onto the mizzen mast to mount my radar scanner. By the time this was finished and we got the masts outside to the launch site on the pier it was well after dark.
When people will go out in the rain and do all that and work past their dinner hour, etc., you know they are real friends. I feel very fortunate.
Back at Rhysling I continued with preparations – working until nearly 3am. After a restless “sleep” I was up again at 0530 to continue the final preparations. The heavy equipment was scheduled to arrive at 0800.
Rhysling sits (sat) on a steel cradle, balanced by 4 steel supports. I used six straps and additional lines to tie her to the cradle so the whole thing could be lifted onto the truck. I also prepared extra supports for when she was on the truck. My friends came down at 0800 and gave me a hand. I had prepared pieces of old carpet scraps to use as padding under the slings and supports. We set them all up.
Shortly after 8 the equipment was there and we used the crane to lift boat and cradle onto the truck. After some positioning we tied it all down, and the truck slowly trundled down the road. I followed on my bike with my friends and watched that nothing shifted. The driver kept his eye on us so he could stop immediately if anything was amiss.
The whole rig took up both sides of the road so other vehicles had to pull over and wait as we crawled past. It took about 30 minutes to travel that quarter of a mile. People came out of offices and buildings to see the spectacle. It was like a mini-parade through the streets of Kwajalein. For a brief moment my eyes clouded with tears as I watched my beautiful boat moving majestically down the road. All the hours and months of work, all the sweat and time were now reflected in her beauty.
At the pier it was relatively simple to lift her and slowly lower her into the water. The whole Marine Dept. stopped working to watch, and a few cheers went up when her keel first touched the surface. At last, after 2½ years out of the water, and nearly stripped to her bare hull, then entirely rebuilt by John for 1½ years and me for a year, Rhysling was back home in her element.
We used the crane to hoist and step the masts and all went smoothly. John was there and his supervision and experience as a rigger saved an immense amount of time. Because her shaft wasn’t yet connected to the engine we used a small boat to tow her to a floating dock to complete the rigging.
When I went to find my friend and his boat to tow us I saw Rhysling for the first time at a distance across the harbor. Her masts stood tall and proud and the teak trim, oiled and golden, stood in contrast to the white, glistening hull. She sat like a lady, and it struck me that I have much more than a boat; Rhysling is no less than a yacht.
John and a few others came by and we began tuning the rig under his direction. They hauled me up the masts and I installed the VHF antenna, wind indicator & anemometer; also the triatic stay and straightened up the spreaders.
That evening some of my windsurfing friends brought over some champagne and we toasted the success of the launching.
Saturday we worked all day on the rigging and by Sunday she was ready to sail. By coincidence there was a Yacht Club regatta that day so plenty of boats were out. We sailed out of the slip (still no engine) and heard lots of cheers from passing boats. John worked at tuning a bit as we sailed under full main, mizzen, and working jib.
Jim Reed again used his small boat to ferry us back to the berth next to his “Landfall”.
Spent last week preparing to connect the shaft with the engine. John said I must have good karma, because by sheer luck they were nearly in alignment. No extra shims were needed, just a bit of jockeying of the engine.
He helped me pump a drum of fuel into the main tank which read full at 65 gallons. It probably holds about 70 total.
I started the engine myself with little trouble, and it seemed to run fine. But when under load at over 750 RPM the water (fresh water) in the expansion tank would boil over. John thinks it may be because the engine is new and still “stiff”. The temp gauge never goes above normal.
During the week I also replaced some leaking pipes in the head so that’s operational now.
This past weekend I had an official launch party on Rhysling. We dressed her with flags and I bought $150.00 worth of champagne & beer. Cisco helped by making dips and other pupus[26]. It was a real blowout. A good chance to thank people who’ve helped at various times. It was an all day affair and everyone seemed to have a good time.
After everyone had gone, that night John and I went out for a sail. We just used the large jib. Made a good 6 kts. between Kwaj and Ebeye. It was a pleasant way to end the day.
There’s still a 2 page list of things to do, but knowing Martin will be here in less than a month gives me confidence we’ll be underway to Fiji on schedule: 1st of June. Dick Loser has been a tremendous help, too, and is really becoming familiar with the boat. Should be a good crew.
The more we run the engine the less it boils over, so we think this is just part of the breaking-in process. We’ll see….
Seems I’m getting more and more behind on this log, but so much time is taken on projects aboard Rhysling that when there is some free time I just pass on making an entry. For the past 10 days I’ve had the evening tower shift while Dick L. has been on medical leave. Days have been taken with all kinds of projects, and I even bring things up to Harbor Control such as halyards to splice or orders to make, or correspondence.
As suspected, the engine was just “tight” and as it breaks in, it heats up less & less. I think the boilover problem will soon be a thing of the past. Last weekend I went sailing with Mark Bawcom. Others were supposed to go, but reneged at the last moment. Getting out from between the mooring pilings was a handful for the two of us even with the engine, bit of a scrape on the rub rail, but nothing major.
Earlier in the week I had filed all the slides on the main as well as the start of the track. It went up with no problem. We had about 15-18 knots of wind so used the working jib, main & mizzen. No problem handling the sails between the two of us. I really like the simplicity of the rig and know it will really become a part of me in time.
Yesterday was the “Captain’s Sail”: Herb, captain on the tug KOKUA, Pete, the YTM 180 captain, and myself along with Milt, engineer on the 180 and Mark Bawcom took Rhysling out for an afternoon sail. Really light airs – 4-8 kts. We put everything up – large jib, main, mizzen, and the mizzen staysail drifter! What a spread of canvas. Bob filmed it all on video.
So much has happened… At last, Martin is here. He flew in on Friday, the 3rd. We both couldn’t believe that all the plans for the “boat trip” have become reality. He was amazed at the size of Rhysling, as well as all her equipment.
Saturday we went sailing – Martin, Dick, and Glennis. Tested the Aries and put up the “Maui” jib. Gentle winds – 8-12 kts. Some adjustments yet on the Aries, but seems good.
Plenty yet to do, but with Martin should get much of it done.
BIG gap in the entries, but it’s been more hectic than ever – truckloads of gear from the roundhouse and my room – loaded aboard and stowed. 20 bags of groceries plus 6 to 8 boxes of canned goods all stowed. Windsurfers & spare water jugs on deck; dinghy and abandon ship kit. Seems I’ve been working Dick and Martin to death.
At last we’re underway with a surprising sendoff from friends at the harbor.
DATE CHANGE TO MARSHALL IS. ZONE (-12)
[time]
1012 u/w[27] from Kwajalein Harbor finger pier to Ailinglapalap via S. pass. Lg. jib, main & mizzen drifter to S. pass.
1200 Transit S. pass – Lg. jib, main, mizzen. o/c[28] 165ºM
1313 Last VHF radio contact with John V. and Mel Carr.
0000 DR[29]: 8º 05.0N – 167º 54.0E
1300 Transit Berangu Pass, N. Ailinglapalap o/c 136ºM to Airek Is.
1600 Anchored at Airek Is. Went ashore to meet Mr. Langirik (Milton’s father) and Peace Corps worker Sue Albor. Permission was given to stay here for a few days. Word received from Majuro Foreign Affairs Office.
1700 Up anchor and move to more protected area and better holding ground.
Big magic show at the church – 1700 – about 100 people, mostly children. Piles of pandanus, coconuts, and breadfruit as gifts. Children at boat every afternoon – swimming and playing. Gum & candy. Rides on the windsurfer. One sailing canoe man sails W/S[30] out & back on first try!
My little friend Reynold shows me “Japanese” marker made by US Air Force for survey mark. We eat Conway[31] coconuts with other children. Reynold comes for dinner and a fun nighttime visit. Had Sue over for Spanish omelet breakfast that morning. Nice visit.
Preparations for departure. Tie down and secure. 18-20 kt. trades. Reynold’s father asks if R. can come along. Too long a voyage. Prepare to go to Ellice Group.
1220 Underway from Airek anchorage.
1315 Transit East Pass. o/c 120ºM, 4 kts., Main, Mizz, #2[32]
0056 Satfix[33]: 6º 44.5N – 169º 32.7E
0700 Increasing winds, squalls. Douse main. #2 & mizz only
1200 DR: 6º 24.2N – 170º 20.7E
2008 Satfix: 5º 50.4N – 170º 40.5E
0220 Satfix: 5º 27.4N – 170º 46.7E
0930 m/v[34] Magdelena abeam 2 mi. portside enroute Tinian to Puerto Rico via Panama. Reg: Rotterdam. Cargo of frozen tuna. Spoke via VHF 06.
1045 m/v Magdelena reports our return on his radar is strongest between 2 and 5 miles, then fades after 7 miles. [Radar return at] 0-2 miles blocked by sea clutter.
1130 Down #2; set working jib – winds Force 5[35]
1345 Winds easing, mushy seas. Up single reefed main.
1500 Slack wind. Up full main, change to #2 genny[36]
1942 Satfix: 4º 36.1 – 171º 13.0E
0252 Satfix: 4º 14.6N – 171º 34.7E
1030 Up mast to retrieve port spreader light – bracket rivets off; [light] hanging by wires.
1903 2 star fix: 3º 00.8N – 172º 17.5E
0442 Satfix: 2º 16.7N – 172º 21.8E. SMG[37] = 5.6
1110 Ran engine to charge batteries
1200 DR: 1º 38.3N – 172º 20.7E
1232 Noon Lat: 1º 30.5[N]
1745 Davy Jones aboard to pass judgment on pollywogs entering Neptune’s domain[38].
13 June 1985
0114 Satfix: 0º 42.7N – 172º 14.9E. SMG = 4.6
1200 DR: 0º 02.5N – 172º 21.9E. Change to lg. jib – light winds.
1440 Drop jib, run engine to chg. batteries & motor eastward (090ºM). Light wind and sea.
2336 DR: 0º 23.3S – 172º 35.1E
0130 Continue under power (1400 RPM) heading east – no wind. Oil tachometer cable.
0240 Satfix: 0º 30.4S – 172º 42.2E
0705 Shut down engine, some wind. Up lg. jib, main, mizzen – light & variable breath of air.
0730 Winds from N! Heading 085º under full sail.
1030 Becalmed – slight N. breeze. o/c 100º
1004 Satfix: 0º39.5S – 173º 10.9E
1100 Drop jib – motor eastward – no wind.
1226 Noon lat: 0º 50.3S
1630 Shut down engine, lube tach cable, add 1 qt. oil.
2000 Satfix: 0º 58.7S – 173º 44.1E. SMG = 4.5
2030 o/c 120ºM to pass 20 mi. W of Tabiteuea Atoll.
2400 DR: 1º 03.8S – 173º 54.0E
0700 Secure engine – ENE wind 4-6 kts.
1808 Satfix: 2º 25.8S – 175º 02.7E
2400 DR: 2º 48.9S – 175º 21.5E
0008 Satfix: 2º 54.2S – 175º 20.4E
1220 Wind 0-2 kts. Dropped jib. Started engine.
DR: 3º 45.1S – 175º 55.2E. Steering 100º @ 4-5 kts.
1230 Noon lat: 3º 44.9S – 175º 53.0E
2104 Satfix: 4º 07.1S – 176º 10.5E
0533 Star sight: 4º 23.1S – 176º 42.6E
0920 Engine off. Wind ESE 4-6 kts. Lg. jib, main, mizzen.
140ºM @ 3-5 kts.
1852 Satfix: 4º 53.1S – 176º 49.6E
0108 Satfix: 4º 59.2S – 176º 42.7E. CMG[39] = 217ºM. SMG = 1.6 kts.
1300 Satfix: 4º 59.4S – 176º 45.2E
0054 Satfix: 5º 03.9S – 176º 40.7E. CMG = 133ºM. SMG = 0.55 kts.
0245 Wind up NE 10-15 kts. Up lg. jib, main, mizzen. Steering 110M. Previous winds variable (last 48 hrs.) NNE to SSE & light, various courses steered.
0700 Increased wind – Force 3-4 – down lg. jib, up #2
0805 Satfix: 5º 24.7S – 177º 07.1E
1954 Satfix: 5º 58.7S – 177º 57.1E
0000 DR: 6º 08.3S – 178º 12.2E
0554 Satfix: 6º 25.7S – 178º 38.6E
0700 o/c 150ºM
1400 Satfix: 7º 09.7S – 178º 44.9E. SMG = 4-5 kts., CMG = 182ºM
1615 Sighted Vaitupu broad off starboard bow
2200 DR: 7º 44.9S – 178º 54.8E
21 June – Fri.
0006 Satfix: 8º 02.5S – 178º 54.5E
0510 Heave to 6 mi. WNW of Funafuti awaiting daylight
0620 u/w for approach to Funafuti (Te Aua Fuagea pass)
0908 Satfix: 8º 26.5S – 175º 06.5E
1220 Haul down all sails. Start engine to begin approach through Te Aua Fuagea pass into lagoon & Funafuti Is.
1245 Safe transit of Te Aua Fuagea pass
1311 Up jib, main, mizzen. Close hauled, making 050ºM to Funafuti Is.
1445 Down all sails off Fongafale, Funafuti, engine on, motor to municipal pier
1550 Anchor down in 60’ water off municipal pier, awaiting customs & immigration clearance
1830-
1930 Clear customs and immigration. Granted 2 wks. stay, then renewal for longer
The passage into Funafuti Atoll looked worse on the chart than it really was. Pretty narrow, with exposed coral on both sides, but quite deep & with the sun high it was a breeze. Had to motor through as it was dead into the wind. Most of it was less than 2 boat lengths wide so tacking would be very hazardous if possible at all. It was a bit difficult to find the right place to anchor & await clearance, but we found a place near the main wharf & with “Q”[40] up, waited. Thought we’d missed out by nightfall (Friday night), but just after dinner the Customs & Imm. people arrived by launch. After looking at our paperwork the customs officer searched the boat. Sure is nice not having to worry about firearms or drugs. By 2030 we were cleared for a stay of 2 weeks which could be extended up to 4 months. Customs took the parcels we brought for the Lauti family saying he’d have to inspect them and charge the necessary duty on them.
Early Sat. morning we went into “town” to pick up our passports and exchange money. The customs man showed me to the Lauti residence where I met Mili & Aseta, his daughters. Later we moved Rhysling to the anchorage offshore from the hotel. The police dept. said we could use their jetty for our dinghy.
Sunday eve. we had a big dinner at the hotel and then visited the Lauti’s to take them the parcels from Lasalo on Kwaj. Monday eve. they had us over for a big dinner – taro, breadfruit, bananas, coconuts, chicken, etc. We met the whole family and I put on a magic show for the children.
During the week we enjoyed walking around the village, shopping and taking it easy. Dick found an ice cream shop and became their best customer. We found a bakery where we could get fresh baked bread.
I bought motor oil and kerosene and changed oil and filter on the engine. Also cleaned out the storage locker where soda & beer cans had opened and caused a minor mess. Worked on the galley foot pumps to find 3 bad diaphragms out of 4. So we’re sweating it out ‘til Suva where I hope to find replacements. Also sealed the opening ports in the hull to try to stop the leaks when sailing close hauled.
Thursday afternoon we had a blustery, rainy day and I spent it sewing a new cockpit awning. Very frustrating with the new machine. There was a wind shift to the north and we watched the anchor rode carefully in case we should start swinging toward the coral. That evening Martin and I went to the Customs officer’s house for dinner and a magic show. We took the VHF handheld & Dick stayed on board to watch the situation. Things remained stable thru the evening. We managed to do a card trick by radio…a first for Funafuti, I’m sure…
Friday a large power vessel, the “Katalina”, anchored nearby. Reg. in U.K., it’s a charter cruise vessel. Sat. night we had Mr. & Mrs. Lauti and their daughter Mili to the boat for dinner. I cooked a 12 pound turkey, stuffed & the works. We called it our early July 4th celebration.
Monday evening we said our farewells to the Lauti’s. They made necklaces of shells and also a pudding (cake). We filled our water jugs at their daughter’s house.
Early Tues. morning we got everything stowed on deck and u/w out the lagoon. Managed to sail out the pass since this time it was downwind for us. Martin a bit under the weather with a “bug” he got from drinking coconut sap at the Customs officer’s house. Diarrhea & vomiting. Medication seems to be helping. I got a similar “bug” from the same stuff at Ailinglapalap. It took nearly 2 weeks to clear up.
Now we’re u/w to Fiji, but with very light variable winds just outside Funafuti. No wind all night, the first night out, but today (the 3rd) it seems to be picking up from the SE.
[at the bottom of the page]
Moana, I want to show you something
2 July 1985 – Funafuti, Tuvalu Is.
0600 Prepare to get u/w
0900 u/w to Te Aua Fuagea pass – NE wind 8-10 kts. Main & lg. jib
1110 Transit pass under sail
1130 Vasafua Islet abeam port side 200 yds. o/c 170ºM to Suva, Fiji
1200-
1800 Variable light winds S. of Funafuti. Drop jib due to heavy rolling & slatting. Winds 1-3 kts., main only
2040 No wind. Drop main. Headed general southerly directing [sic].
2106 DR: 8º 53.7S – 179º 03.6E
0058 Satfix: 8º 48.6S – 179º 02.7E
0800 Light breeze from S. Main, mizzen, #1 jib up
0800-
1030 Variable winds SSW to ESE. Settle on course 210ºM. Aries rigged.
1236 Satfix: 8º 58.0S – 178º 59.7E
1812 Satfix: 9º 13.7S – 178º 40.7E
4th July 1985
0100 Changed to starboard tack. Course 120ºM @ 4.5 kts.
0240 Satfix: 9º 41.5S – 178º 36.2E. CMG = 204ºM, SMG = 4.9 kts.
0330-
0430 Vessel sighted 1-2 mi. to stbd. o/c 100ºM, crossed bow ¼ mile, no contact on VHF. 200’ freighter or F/V[41]
0500 Wind increase & numerous squalls. Down #1 jib and main. u/w with #2 jib & mizzen. o/c 180ºM @ 4 kts.
0602 Satfix: 9º 49.0S – 178º 48.6E
0915 Winds abating. Up main (main, #2, mizzen). o/c 180ºM
1130-
1230 Calm. Drop jib. Swim call.
1245 Run engine to charge batteries – 1500 RPM. o/c 165ºM
1600 Secure engine, u/w main, mizzen, #2 jib. o/c 195ºM
1938 Satfix: 10º 37.8S – 178º 27.4E
5th July ‘85
0006 Satfix: 10º 57.4S – 178º 16.0E. CMG = 200ºM, SMG = 5.2 kts.
1416 Satfix: 12º 07.2S – 178º 05.1E
2346 Satfix: 12º 54.4S – 178º 10.1E
0300 Wind increase & squalls. Drop main.
0330 No wind. Drop jib. “Heave to” with mizzen only
0440 Light breeze, ENE, up #2 jib. u/w o/c 160ºM @ 3 kts.
0510 Up main – u/w with #2 jib, main, mizzen.
0702 Satfix: 13º 17.1S – 178º 04.7E
2324 Satfix: 14º 16.8S – 177º 54.3E
0230 Rain showers.
0400 Increased winds. Down main.
1252 Satfix: 15º 20.2S – 177º 24.3E
2358 Fell off to 175ºM. ETA to 10 miles off Ethel Reefs approx 8 hrs. at 0800 8 July.
0208 Satfix: 16º 27.1S – 177º 12.7E
0800 Up main, down mizzen.
1100 Abeam SE portion of Viwa Is.
1245 Becalmed off Viwa Is. rock. Motor to charge batteries and pass Viwa Is. reefs and Mamanutha Reefs (jib down).
1420 Light breeze, up #2 jib, main, mizzen. u/w o/c 240ºM.
1808 Satfix: 17º 28.6S – 176º 39.9E
1745 Increasing winds and seas. Main down. o/c 190º - 210ºM with #2 jib, mizzen.
0156 Satfix: 18º 18.7S – 176º 23.9E. SMG = 6.5
0235 Came off on starboard tack. Heading 060ºM @ 4.5 kts.
0734 Satfix: 18º 09.7S – 176º 39.9E. SMG = 4.4 kts.
1000 Continued strong winds & seas. Change to working jib, single reefed main & mizzen.
1045 u/w o/c 065ºM
1206 Satfix: 18º 03.2S – 176º 54.2E
1345 Rig tow generator[42] - charge #2 batteries.
1605 Onto port tack approx. ½ mile off w. coast reef, Viti Levu.
1705 Onto stbd. tack toward shore.
1740 Onto port tack. o/c 160ºM @ 4 kts.
2000 Stbd. tack, o/c 040ºM, 4 kts.
2115 Port tack, o/c 140ºM, 4 kts.
2220 Satfix: 18º 13.2S – 177º 24.2E
2345 Vatulele light in sight dead ahead.
0150 Vatulele R&B[43] 6.3NM, 133ºM
0452 Wind dropped to 5 kts. Heading due north at 2 kts.
Radar fix 5 miles off coast.
0530 Onto port tack. Light wind, o/c 120ºM, 1-2 kts.
1050 Port tack, o/c 155ºM @ 4 kts.
1300 Stbd. tack, o/c 060ºM @ 4.5 kts.
1430 Increased winds, squalls, single reef in main.
1715 Enter break in Yanutha Reefs at Mbengga Lagoon.
1815 Anchored on WNW side of Yanutha Is. to seek shelter from freshening winds (20-35 kts). Dinghy and L/R[44] gear on deck needs resecuring; also repairs to mainsail slide on jackline.
1030 Anchor up
1045 Working jib, single reefed main, single reefed mizzen up.
1050 u/w with Yanutha abeam stbd. o/c 145º[M]
2318 Satfix: 18º 19.2S – 178º 29.2E
2415 Heave-to. Heading due north
0532 Satfix: 18º 15.7S – 178º 28.3E
0640 Up main, down mizzen. o/c 273º - 3-5 kts. Approach to Suva harbor.
0810 SatNav secured[45]
0820 Down jib, under power with engine @ 1500 RPM.
0840 Transit Levu Passage; Enter Suva Harbor, Fiji.
0850 Main down, u/w to inner harbor.
0900 Radio contact with Suva Harbor Control re. entering, proceeding to quarantine anchorage.
0930 Anchored in quarantine anchorage awaiting medical clearance. “Q” up.
1000 Granted Cert. of Pratique by health officials
1030 Anchor up, u/w to wharf for customs clearance.
1230 Cleared by Customs, Immigration, & Quarantine.
1240 Shift to Royal Suva Yacht Club anchorage.
1315 Anchored at Royal Suva Yacht Club.
1730 Up anchor, tie up at R.S.Y.C. fuel dock for H2O & fuel.
0930 Anchored off R.S.Y.C.
20 Aug. – Tues.
1435 Up anchor and underway, under power, round Suva Pt. to Lauthala Bay.
1620 Anchored at Lauthala Harbor in 10’ water.
0930 Up anchor and underway to Nukumbutho Passage.
1000 Transit Nukumbutho Passage. Steer to course 223ºM @ 4.5 kts. for Sulphur Passage in Nanuku Reef, Mbengga Is.
1048 Engine off, up lg. jib with 2-3 kt. wind from NE.
1330 Very light wind. Down lg. jib. Start engine. Still proceeding to Sulphur Passage. As per plan made radio contact (Ch: 70 VHF) with s/v “Dayspring I” the old sea dog Bernt (German), her master. “Dayspring I” approx. 3 miles off our stbd. beam also proceeding to Sulphur Passage under power. ETA to Sulphur Passage 16:15.
1230 Note belated entry: Mainsail up, with 5-7 kts. NE.
1600 Transit Sulphur Passage
1835 Anchored at Yanutha Is. 30’ of water.
1000 SatNav off
1100 Shift to SW part of Yanutha anchorage.
1215 Shift within SW part of Yanutha anchorage – 35’ water.
25 August – Sun.
1400 Magic show at Litia & Doko’s house.
1600 Dinghy aboard. Prepare deck gear for getting u/w tomorrow.
1630 Cap’t Bernt drifting about the harbor with various outboard difficulties!
0630 Prepare for getting u/w.
0735 Anchor up after hangup on coral; u/w to pass between Yanutha Reef & Bird Is.
0800 Transit pass. Secure engine, up #2 jib – o/c 275ºM to Thuvu Harbor in company with Berndt on Dayspring I and Tom & Niki on Tiara Moana (N.Z.)
0930 Up main.
1010 Mahi mahi on the line!
1015 Wing & wing o/c 270º
1430 Anchor 15’ water off Fijian Hotel, Thuva[sic] Hbr.
0600 Prepare to get u/w.
0800 Anchor on deck, u/w by motor to clear pass (no wind)
0805 Transit Thuva Harbor pass; u/w to Malolo Lailai Is. under power @ 1400 RPM.
0815 o/c 275ºM, in company with Tiare Moana
1015 Likuri Is. ab’m stbd. – ETA Malolo Pass: 1315-1330. o/c 320ºM.
1305 Safe transit Malolo Passage
1435 Anchored at Malolo Lailai Is. (Dick’s Place) after shifting 200’N by request of nearby French yacht.
0630 Prepare to get u/w.
0700 Martin take Bernt to see “Doc” Woody on Hathor for badly swollen knee.
0850 Engine start
0920 Anchor up, proceed under power thru pass in reef then to Matamanoa Is. On board are two Aussie passengers Rod & Margie.
1220 Anchored with stern hook in 60’ water.
1300 Rod ashore on W.S. to get launch.
1315 Launch alongside to take Margie & luggage ashore. Martin to get W.S.
1340 Martin aboard; Anchor up & u/w to Yanuya Is.
1415 Anchored on NE side of Yanuya Is. in 30’ water next to our old friend, Kuno
0700 Prepare to get u/w
0920 Anchor up & underway for Saweni Bay.
0930 Up jib, mizzen, main. Winds light & variable ENE to ESE. Engine off.
1045 Jib down. Engine on – no wind.
1400 Down all sails, prepare to enter Saweni Bay.
1405 SatNav Secured
1420 Transit to Saweni Bay. Anchored south end in 8-10’ water
1425 Up anchor. Move further out & to west end of bay. Run aground in mud! Two indian fishermen assist us in their outboard by towing Rhysling from her stern line.
1440 Rhysling pulled off mud & floating free. Re-anchor NE of shoal edge (grounding site) in approx. 10-12’ water. Invited two rescuers (?) on board for cup of tea and biscuits. Mike rewards them $US20 for their time, gas & wear & tear. Engine off.
1530 Boat secure. Mike & Cisco ashore.
11 Sept. – Wed.
1045 Start eng., u/w to Lautoka to clear customs.
1145 Broken fuel line on #2 injector. Jury rigged but rebroken. Under sail #2 jib to Lautoka anchorage.
1230 Anchored Lautoka Harbor – 30’ water.
1430 Cleared by customs, Lautoka
0830 Fuel line replaced.
0915 Start engine. Prepare to get u/w to Saweni Bay.
0930 Some knocking in eng. due to air in system.
1050 Anchored in 10’ water at Saweni Bay.
18 Sept. – Wed.
0730 Prepare to get u/w to Lautoka.
0840 Anchor up; underway.
0930 Anchored in 25’ water in Lautoka Harbor.
1250 Shift to Lautoka wharf.
1300 Moored Lautoka wharf
1510 Cast off moorings at Lautoka wharf. Motoring to Saweni Bay. Cleared customs, immigration, paid fees to Ports authority for water, etc.
1625 Anchor in 15’ water at Saweni Bay.
0630 Prepare to get u/w
1125 u/w for Malolo passage, continue stowing gear & supplies
1340 Up main & #2 jib. o/c 240ºM
1438 Stbd. tack – 080º
1500 Single reef in main with #2 jib & mizzen – o/c 200ºM
0126 Satfix: 18º 24.3S – 176º 52.9E. SMG = 4.0 kts., CMG = 199ºM
1245 Up main – winds moderating to 10-12 kts.
1616 Satfix: 19º 08.5S – 176º 12.0E
1800 Down main (18-22 kt. winds)
0350 Satfix: 19º 40.4S – 175º 21.4E
0600 Stbd. tack. Course 120ºM @ 4.5 kts. Wind 15-18 kts. SSE
2052 Satfix: 19º 55.1S – 176º 18.2E. SMG = 4.4 kts., CMG = 095ºM
1004 Satfix: 19º 47.4S – 177º 25.2E. SMG = 4.9
1745 Onto port tack. Course: 150ºM. Speed: 4 kts. Winds ESE 18-20 kts.
2118 Satfix: 19º 51.4S – 178º 01.9E
2230 Winds ESE 20-25 kts. – seas: rough (short & steep)
0045 Winds abating. Seas: moderate & confused – light showers.
0100 Winds & seas strengthening – again. ESE 20-25 kts.
0715 Onto stbd. tack. course: 035ºM, speed: 3 kts. Winds: 25-30 kts. east
0615 (Late entry) Down #2 jib, up working jib. Retied dinghy, re-tied misc. stuff on deck.
0900 Passing showers; winds 25-35 kts. (avg. 30)
1030 Single reef in mizzen. o/c 030-050ºM. Winds 25-35 kts.
1254 Satfix: 20º 30.4S – 178º 13.3E. SMG = 0.6 kts. CMG = 027ºM
2156 Satfix: 20º 16.4S – 178º 28.6E. SMG = 2.4 kts. CMG = 030ºM
0310 DR: 20º 07.6S – 178º 37.6E
0317 Winds 25-35 kts. ExS[46]. Seas: moderate to rough. o/c 020-030ºM.
0502 Seas and wind decreasing. Wind: 15-20 kts. east, seas: moderate. o/c 010ºM
0630 Up double reefed main.
0650 Onto port tack. o/c 100ºM, 3.5 kts. Wind 18-25 ExN. Sea moderate to rough. Working jib, D’bled rf’d main, rf’d mizzen.
1230 Haul down working jib, hanked on #2 jib. Took out reef in mizzen, winds calming 10-15 kts.
1255 Heavy rain squall. Winds 30-40 kts. Mizzen, Dbl’d rf’d main only. Broke out shampoo, had shower on deck. COLD!
1320 Squall passed. Winds drop 10-12 kts. west.
1345 Winds less than 5 kts. Start engine to charge batteries. Motoring 080ºM @ 4.5 kts.
1342 Satfix: 20º 10.0S – 178º 54.0E
1600 Secure engine, await wind.
1630 Up #2 jib with dbl reefed main & mizzen. o/c 130ºM. Winds 8-10 kts., seas moderate. Sky clearing.
2145 Winds freshening. Down main. o/c 110ºM, 4.5 kts.
25 Sept. – Wed.
0100 Winds abating – 10-18 kts.
0122 Satfix: 20º 30.3S – 179º 34.7E. (H/L) SMG = 4.8 kts., CMG = 096ºM
0130 Winds down to 10-15 kts.
1015 Start engine to charge batteries after tightening packing & adding battery water. 1500 RPM – 4.5 kts. Motoring o/c 080ºM. Very light winds.
0954 Satfix: 20º 36.8S – 179º 59.3E
1035 Transit International Dateline
1230 Secure engine. Up main, #2 jib, mizzen, o/c 060ºM, 2 kts., light breeze.
1322 Satfix: 20º 35.2S – 179 45.1W
Course to Vava’u = 057ºM, 339.2 NM
26 Sept. – Thurs.
0000 continued calm with very light NE breeze. Drifting o/c 060ºM, SMG = 1.4
1256 Satfix: 20º 30.2S – 179º 03.2W
1345 Light NW breeze 1-5 kts. Swim call.
1830 Continued light, variable winds – drifting at various courses. Ono Ilau Is. visible on stbd. beam, 17.5 NM.
2206 Satfix: 20º 30.5S – 178º 44.9W. CMG = 087ºM, SMG = 3.0 kts.
2300 Winds still light breeze SSE. o/c 060ºM, 3 kts. Ono Ilau bearing 180ºM off stbd. qtr. t 10 NM. Moon almost full. Small white light seen just west of Ono Ilau, poss. that of sm. fishing vessel.
27 Sept. – Fri.
0015 Down mizzen, adjust Aries for quartering winds – light breeze from SSE.
0338 Star sight: 20º 28.6S – 178º 24.4W
0352 Satfix: 20º 26.9S – 178º 23.8W
0705 Mike attempts to make sugared popcorn for breakfast. Ends up with burnt smoking mess.
1100 Up mizzen. Wind shifting to ESE.
1234 Satfix: 20º 09.7S – 177º 49.7W
1430 Down mizzen.
2128 Winds continue ESE 10-15 kts., seas slight
0320 Satfix: 19º52.3S – 176º 27.5W. SMG = 5.8, CMG – 064ºM
1100-
1200 Advance ship’s clocks 1 hr. to conform with –13 time zone (Tonga) and allow for imbibement of afternoon spirits.
1934 Satfix: 19º 28.2S – 175º 12.9W
2306 Wind: east 15-20 kts. Seas slight to moderate. course 050ºM
0130 o/c 035ºM to pass 8 NM SE of Metis Shoal.
0429 Late Is. bearing 310ºM off port beam approx. 12 NM.
0815 Fatumanga Is. abeam 1 NM stbd.
0900 Enter Ava Pulepulekai Channel
1045 Enter Port Refuge to anchor & await clearance. Engine airlocked and low on oil. Sail onto stern hook in 40’ water after bower anchor chain jammed in locker.
1140 Engine bled, chain freed. Re-anchor on E. side of bay in 40’ water.
1000 u/w for Neiafu.
1130 Tied up along side main wharf, Neiafu.
1140 Customs officials boarded “Rhysling’
1225 Cleared by Customs, Immigration & Agricultural Depts.
1245 u/w to anchorage by Don Coleman’s Marine Services.
1300 Anchored in 30’ water.
1415 Shift in anchorage to different spot.
1430 Anchored in 20’ H2O
1030 Prepare to get u/w.
1115 Anchor up; u/w.
1120 Up Maui jib & mizzen
1129 Transit Neiafu Harbor Pass.
1230 Puddle Shuttle in two taking on water thru D.B.[47] well.
1235 Down jib near Luakapa Is., engine on. Bail swamped dinghy &recover oars. Down mizzen. Check out Port Maurelle and Nuku Is. SSE winds 25-30 kts.
1330 u/w from Nuku Is. toward Nuapapu Is.
1405 Anchored in 40’ water at Vaka ‘Eitu Cove, Nuapapu Island.
10 Oct. 1985 – Thurs.
0815 Say goodbye to our friends David & Albert on Vaka ‘Eitu Is.
0900 Prepare to get u/w.
0945 Up anchor under sail. u/w for Pangaimotu
1245 Anchored in 20’ water on NE side of Taunga Island
0830 Prepare to get u/w
0855 Anchor up, u/w to Pangaimotu (SW anchorage).
0945 Anchored in 35’ water at Pangaimotu Island.
0615 Prepare to get u/w.
0645 First guests & handcrafts aboard for “shuttle” to Taunga Is.
0805 u/w from Pangaimotu with 17 passengers, numerous hand crafts. 1 boat, 1 canoe, Puddle Shuttle in tow.
0900 At Taunga Is. 40-50’ water.
0945 All pax[48] ashore
1000 Re-anchor in 35’ H2O
1630 Begin loading pax and cargo for return trip.
1700 u/w with 38 passengers and assorted handcrafts for Pangaimotu Is. 1 canoe & Puddle Shuttle in tow.
1750 Anchored in 35’ water by Hosia’s Beach, Pangaimotu. Offload all passengers.
0800 Prepare to get u/w
0930 Up anchor & u/w for Port Maurelle. Light wind. Maui jib & mizzen. On board is David, son of Matoto, as guide.
1140 Anchored in 25’ water at Port Maurelle.
1000 Prepare to get u/w.
1045 u/w by engine (no wind) to Mariner’s Cave from Port Maurelle.
1310 Anchored in 35’ water at Pangaimotu Is.
1400 Winds shifting to W.
1410 Shift to new anchorage by Lisa Beach for better swinging room due to wind shift.
1420 Anchored in 25’ water.
0930 Prepare to get u/w. Matoto’s son David along to help.
1000 u/w from Pangaimotu (#10)[49] to Ano Beach anchorage (#11)
1030 Anchored in 30’water at E end of Ano Beach (Pangaimotu #11)
0800 Prepare to get u/w from Pangaimotu #11 to Neiafu.
0900 u/w to Neiafu. Lf. jib & mizzen.
1145 Engine on, down jib & mizzen. Motor to windward.
1230 Anchored in 35’ water at Pat Matheson’s sand spit, Neiafu.
1455 u/w to Neiafu Harbor anchorage
1530 Anchored in 25’ water at Neiafu Harbor.
23 October – Wed.
0845 Prepare to get u/w to Neiafu wharf
0915 u/w to Neiafu wharf.
0925 Moored port side to wharf to mark anchor rode.
1125 u/w to anchorage by Don Coleman’s
1140 Anchored in 25’ water
0730 Prepare to get u/w
0745 Matoto’s son David aboard for trip to Pangaimotu anchorage
0840 u/w for Pangaimotu #10. Lg. jib & mizzen.
1340 Anchored in 45’ water at Pangaimotu (Lisa Beach #10)
30 October – Wed.
0820 Prepare to get u/w from Lisa Beach to Neiafu.
0845 David (Tevita) & Moana from Pangai on board to accompany.
0915 u/w to Neiafu. Assisted ‘Dulcinea’ in location of their drifting dinghy. Maui jib & mizzen.
1215 Anchored in 30’ water at Neiafu Harbor.
0800 Prepare to get u/w
0835 u/w to Pangaimotu, lg. jib & mizzen. Wind ENE
1125 Anchored in 45’ water at #10 – Lisa Beach, Pangaimotu
0800 Prepare to get u/w
1000 u/w to Hosia’s Beach from Lisa Beach
1020 Anchored in 35’ water. Farewells to Hosia family.
1115 u/w from Hosia’s Beach, Pangaimotu. Light breeze. Lg. jib & mizzen.
1355 Anchored in 35’ water at Vaka-Eitu Is.
7 November 1985 – Thurs.
0800 Prepare to get u/w. Farewells to David & Albert.
1200 Dinghy aboard & secured with life raft equip.
1440 Anchor up – u/w to New Zealand. Under power to charge batteries.
1515 Up working jib, rf’d mizzen – continue with engine to charge batts.
1550 Up dbl’d rf’d main.
1750 Martin donates dinner to King Neptune
1800 Winds continuing ESE – 18-22 kts. Intermittent rain.
2210 Satfix: 19º 24.8S – 174º 30.0W
0100 Down mizzen
0700 Repair parted wind vane line.
1200 DR: 20º 33.3S – 175º 29.7W
1334 Satfix: 20º 43.4S – 175º 35.5W. SMG = 5.7 kts.
0104 Satfix: 21º 23.5S – 176º 07.1W
0700 Large pod of dolphins surrounds and follows Rhysling for about 30 min. At least 3 species: Stenella, Tursiops, and poss. Kogia S. or Kogia B. Numerous juveniles.
DR: 21º 29.5S – 176º 23.9W
0830 Change to #2 jib (with doub. rf’d main). Winds light – 8-10 kts.
0900 Shake out 2nd reef in main (#2 jib & single rf’d main)
0950 Satfix: 21º 37.2S – 176º 33.7W. SMG = 4.0 kts.
1100 Passing squalls – increased winds – 16-18 kts.
1200 DR: 21º 42.0S – 176º 40.5W (last 24 hrs – 95.6NM)
1256 Satfix: 21º51.3S – 176º 47.2W
1550-
1650 Down #1 jib & main, up mizzen. Change to wkg. jib 7 doub. rf’d main. Down mizzen. o/c 210ºM- increased wind & seas – 18-22 kts.
0346 Satfix: 22º 59.7S – 177º 51.3W. SMG = 6.5 kts.
1100 Sighted large container vessel – “Nedlloyd Madras” – Rotterdam, on port beam. Capt. Fredrick Hendriks on Ch 16 to advise of course change to take photos. Also weather info: Stiff winds to N.Z. Generally good weather. Enroute Chile – Jakarta – Singapore. Capt. Fredrick Hendriks, Willem de Clercq Straat #37, 7604AR Almelo, Netherlands.
1550 Satfix: 23º 44.5S – 167º 52.4W
Note: Crossed Tropic of Capricorn. Last 24 hrs. – 151.7 NM
1845 Sighted 2 masted vessel at S. Minerva Reef on horizon, broad on port bow. Possible wreck noted on Sailing Directions.
2248 Satfix: 24º 09.7S – 179º 26.6W. SMG = 6.8 kts.
2330 Contact sighted on stbd. qtr. Red & white lights seen intermittently on horizon. No apparent bearing change; no distance change.
0020 Radio contact on Ch 16 with barkentine “Breeze”, ZM6532, Richard Ray (Capt. Bob Cottier) enroute from Minerva Reef(s) to Auckland. After protesting French nuke testing at Muroro (sp) Atoll. Wx info passed.
0030 Overtaken by “Breeze” on stbd. Her course: 215ºM.
0538 Satfix: 24º 28.1S – 179º 54.2W. SMG = 6.1 kts.
0750 Transit 180th meridian.
1200 DR: 24º 52.0S – 179º 44.0E. SMG = 5.2 kts. Last 24 hrs. = 123.8 NM.
2226 Satfix: 25º 30.5S – 179º 11.4E. SMG = 4.4 kts.
12 November – Tues.
0040-
0140 90º wind shift – backing from east to north. Passing rain showers.
0520 90º wind shift again, from east to north. Accompanied with light rain showers.
0606 Wind veered to east.
1000 Change to #2 jib (still doub. rf’d main). Winds 8-10 kts.
1200 DR: 26º 24.3S – 178º 39.5E. Last 24 hrs. = 109 NM. SMG = 4.5 kts.
1258 Satfix: 26º 27.6S – 178º 35.0E
13 November ’85 – Wed.
1200 DR: 27º 54.3S – 177º 18.3E. Last 24 hrs. = 116 NM. SMG = 4.8 kts.
1900 Constant drizzle all day, overcast.
14 Nov. – Thurs.
0036 Satfix: 28º 46.7S – 176º 33.1E. SMG = 6.0 kts.
0748 Sailboat sighted broad on stbd. bow, hull down on approx. same course as Rhysling. No response on Ch. 16.
0815 Yacht “Manukai” - Cap’t Wolf – on ch. 16. Wx info passed. Wishes us to say hello to Bunny on “Sea Tub” in B. of I.[50], also gave report on Bernt – “Dayspring I” – rough trip to Australia – blew out all sails, engine down, injured knee. Finally towed into Sydney after 4-5 wks. at sea.
0945 “Manukai” abeam portside, ¼ mile.
1200 DR: 29º 40.0S – 175º 54.0E. Last 24 hrs. = 129.2 NM, SMG = 5.4 kts.
1445 Continued strong winds 25-30 kts. ENE. Down #2 jib, up working jib. Continue with dbl. reefed main.
1800 Winds gusting to 35 kts., seas building.
1934 Satfix: 30º 22.7S – 175º 31.7E. SMG = 6.5 kts.
0300 Winds 20-25 kts. Seas decreasing; moderate to rough.
1200 DR: 32º 02.0S – 174º 57.0E. Last 24 hrs. = 150.3 NM, SMG = 6.3 kts.
2040 Satfix: 32º 56.3S – 174º 37.3e. SMG = 5.5 KTS.
0100 Variable winds – ENE to NNE. 8-12 kts.
1200 DR: 33º 48.1S – 174º 16.0E. Last 24 hrs. = 110.3 NM, SMG = 4.6 kts.
1230 Satfix: 33º 50.1S – 174º15.4E. SMG = 3.1 kts.
2220 Vessel sighted off port bow approx. 2 mi. Port light seen.
2245 Vessel off port beam. Appears to be stationary, 1 mi. No radio contact.
0010 Cape Brett light visible 1 pt. on port bow.
0252 Satfix: 34º 55.0S – 174º 15.0E. H/L[51] 9º. SMG = 4.2 kts.
0446 Satfix: 35º 01.3S – 174º 17.3E. H/L 78º
0630 Change to Maui jib.
1000 Mt. Mataka (Purerua Pen.) abeam stbd; Enter Bay of Islands. Down main. Light, following wind (NNE). SatNav secured.
1030 Engine on. Down jib (Maui). Steering the range to approach Matauwhi Bay.
1145 Anchored in 25’ water at Matauwhi Bay.
0800 Prepare to get u/w
0930 u/w with Maui jib.
1020 Jib down, engine on. Continuing prob. with water pump.
1035 Moored at Opua wharf awaiting customs officials.
1115 Customs launch alongside to bring forms & paperwork.
1130 Capt. Keith of Customs & mate aboard to search vessel.
1200 Customs launch away, shift berth to SE end of wharf.
1210 Moored stbd. side to Opua wharf, Jan on yacht “Inu” (?), Honolulu, rafted alongside to port also awaiting clearance.
1330 Customs officer and agriculture officer aboard.
1500 customs, immigration & agriculture cleared.
1700 u/w to anchorage SE of Opua wharf.
1710 Anchored in 25’ water SE of Waimangaroa Pt. (Opua wharf)
1745 Martin ashore & off to Calif. Brent & Jean Aikin on board as crew.
0900 Prepare to get u/w
1000 u/w to Opua to take on H2O.
1015 Moored Opua wharf stbd. side to. Top off center tank & jugs.
1055 u/w to Russel
1130 Moored stbd. side to Russel wharf for provisioning.
1400 u/w to Motuarohia Is. (Robertson Is.)
1515 Anchored in 35’ water at SE anchorage at Roberton Is.
1535 Landing party departs “Rhysling” to re-explore Motuarohia, commissioned 216 years to the day of Capt. Cook’s first arrival in N.Z., by the honorable Capt. Bates,…[52] The shore party established positive evidence of Cook’s discovery as evidenced by the trace remains of a campfire, their campground and a small motor home.
30 Nov. 1985 – Sat.
0700 Prepare to get u/w
0810 u/w to Whangarei Heads – under power (no wind). 4.5 kts.
1015 Cape Brett lighthouse abeam stbd. o/c 135ºM
1300 Slight ENE breeze, up Maui jib, continue with engine.
1520 Tutukaka Head abeam stbd. o/c 160ºM
1630 Wind increasing, shut down engine, set mizzen staysail.
1750 Down mizzen staysail, jibe to round Bream Head.
1825 Bream Head abeam stbd; entering Whangarei approach.
1900 Busby Head abeam stbd. Down jib, engine on.
1930 Anchored in 35’ water in Urquharts Bay, Whangarei Heads.
Average speed overall 4.9 kts. (55 NM / 11.3 hrs.)
1 December 1985 – Sun.
1730 Prepare to get u/w
0830 Engine on
0840 Anchor up, u/w to Onerahi (Whangarei)
0900-
0920 Alum. fishing boat in tow to Onetree Point – Eng. down – 2 pax.
1030 Moored at Onerahi jetty. Brent & Jean ashore due to Jean’s illness (morning sickness).
1130 u/w to Depart Onerahi
1200 Up Maui jib
1245 Secure engine.
1300 Passage Is. abeam port. o/c 130ºM, 4.5 kts.
1440 Taranga Is. (Hen & Chickens) abeam portside. SMG = 7.2!
1520 Small whale sighted 200 yds. on stbd. beam, possible Sei. Spyhopped. Photos. Abeam Bream Tail sandhills.
1525 2 more animals sighted, all heading N.
1650 Single whale – 4 boatlengths from stbd. beam – blowing – showing flukes & back.
1654 Satfix: 36º 11.7S – 174º 46.8E
1800 Round “The Outpost”, down jib, eng. on – enter Omaha Cove.
1820 Anchored in 25’ water, Omaha Cove, Cape Rodney.
0700 Prepare to get u/w
0750 Engine on.
0800 Anchor up, u/w, rain showers.
0815 Engine off, up Maui jib.
0820 Outpost Rock abeam portside. o/c 090ºM
0855 Takatu Point abeam stbd. SMG = 6.0 kts.
0910 Up rf’d mizzen (wind on port beam). Winds 15-18 kts.
1010 Little Barrier Is. abeam, portside. o/c 075ºM, SMG = 6.5 kts.
1245 Flat Top Rock (Cape Colville) abeam stbd.
1255 Sugar Loaf Rocks (Cape Colville) abeam stbd.
1300 Continued rain, reduced visibility, winds 18-24.
1530 Enter Mercury Cove, Great Mercury Island. Engine on, down jib. Check out Parapara Bay.
1630 Anchored in 25’ water NE of jetty in Mercury Cove.
2000 Heavy rain in anchorage. Winds backing to NW.
3 Dec. – Tues.
0900 Winds increasing, shifting to NNW. Secure at anchor in Mercury Cove.
1230 Passing rain showers
1400 NW winds 25-30 kts.
4 Dec. – Wed.
0730 Winds down to 10 kts. – NNW.
0800 Prepare to get u/w.
0940 Anchor up
1000 Maui jib & mizzen up, motor sail around SW point of Great Mercury to find favorable wind (WSW 8-10 kts.).
1015 Secure engine – o/c 125ºM toward “Hole-in-the-Wall”.
1010 G. Mercury Is. SW rock abeam port. SMG = 4.0
1120 Old Man Rock abeam port.
1130 Set mizzen staysail. Transit “Hole-in-the-Wall”
1230 Becalmed. Down jib & mizzen staysail. Engine on.
1345 Castle Rock abeam port. 10 kts. wind from SSE. Secure engine. o/c 150ºM, Maui jib & mizzen.
1420 Up main. Wind dropping to 6 kts.
1445 Becalmed. Engine on.
1525 Shoe Is. abeam stbd.
1545 All sails down & furled.
1600 Moored in 25’ water, Home Bay, Slipper Is.
1610 Greeted by Abe Needham, island owner & resident.
6 Dec. – Thurs.
1000 Prepare to get u/w to Tairua Harbor for provisions & resupply for Rhysling and Abe N.
1105 u/w with Abe Needham to Tairua Harbor. Aluminum dinghy in tow.
1115 Engine off, Maui jib up – o/c 290ºM.
1130 Wind building, seas lumpy. Too risky to enter Tairua, change course to 340ºM for Whitianga, Mercury Bay. Re-rig dinghy in tow.
1310 Castle Rock abeam stbd. SMG = 5.5 kts.
1530 Moored stbd. side to trawler at Whitianga wharf. Trawler “Esperanto” with Capt. Neil & deckhand Mark.
7 Dec. 1985 – Sat.
0630 Prepare to get u/w. Diesel drum & aluminum dinghy secure on foredeck.
0915 u/w from Whitianga wharf with Abe Needham & supplies. Motoring out Buffalo Bay/ Mercury Bay to pick up E wind (78-10 kts.) for course to Slipper Is.
1105 Set Maui jib & mizzen, secure engine. o/c 120ºM to Castle Rock; Mahurangi Is. abeam stbd.
1215 Castle Rock abeam port. o/c 130ºM. SMG = 3.2. ETA Home Bay – 1515-1545.
1415 Down jib, engine on. No wind. Motor from Shoe Is. to Slipper Island
1530 Anchored in 25’ water – Home Bay, Slipper Is.
9 Dec. – Mon.
0730 Prepare to get u/w. Stow “new” dinghy on foredeck, Puddle Shuttle ashore to new home on Slipper Island.
0830 Plans postponed due to inclement wx – rain & thundershowers. Help Abe move cattle and work in garden building bean trellises.
10 Dec. – Tues.
0800 Prepare to get u/w.
1030 u/w to Mayor Is.
1100 Slipper Is. light abeam stbd., o/c 120ºM
1130 Maui jib & mizzen up. Secure engine.
1140 Main up. o/c 135ºM.
1305 Wind down, motorsail toward Mayor Is. o/c 120ºM.
1630 Down main.
1645 Anchored in 35’ water, Oira Bay, Mayor Island.
11 Dec. – Wed.
0800 Prepare to get u/w
0845 Engine check & lite off.
0900 u/w from Mayor Is. to Tauranga under power (calm).
1145 Karewa Is. abeam stbd.
1245 Tauranga Harbor approach buoy ‘A’ abeam stbd.
1400 Anchored in 25’ water off Coronation Pier, “The Strand”, Tauranga.
Total miles sailed from Kwajalein = 4559 NM
12 Dec. – Thurs.
0730 Prepare to shift to Floating dock per man from Harbor Board.
0750 Anchor up, u/w to dock.
0800 Moored portside to floating dock.
17 Dec. – Tues.
1130 Rhysling side towed to 600T[53] slipway
1200 Moored @ slipway, prepare to haul out
1700 “Moored” on cradle at Quality Boats – Cameron Rd.
18 Dec. – Wed.
General errands.
19 Dec. – Thurs.
Clear out and store gear from below cockpit, slipway Christmas party.
20 Dec. – Fri.
Ramp constructed. Quality Boats Christmas get together.
21 Dec. – Sat.
Relocate Aries mounts – 3 ½” higher on transom.
Lube &replace parts in engine raw water thru-hull. Re-plumb & replace valve from thru-hull. Prepare plumbing for replacement raw water pump. Flush out head with fresh water
Fashion new SS mounting bracket for raw water pump. Mount and plumb in new pump. Change primary & secondary fuel filters.
Clean oil pan and sump.
Wrestle with sewing machine to enlarge sailcovers.
24 Dec. – Tues.
Main & mizzen sailcovers properly enlarged after beating sewing machine to submission (don’t know who beat who!). Possible plans for further sewing. Is it possible?…
25 Dec. – Wed. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Another duel with sewing machine… made lazarette hatch cover and three winch covers. WHEW!
26 December - Boxing Day (?) –
Disconnected and removed P&S hull impellers and receiver unit of B&G[54] knotmeter. Cleaned impellers and stowed all. Invited to Bev Campbell’s for Boxing Day lunch. What is Boxing Day, anyway?
Unshipped sliding doors stbd. side aft.
27 Dec. – Fri.
Dismantled and greased all seacocks except cockpit drains. Used valve grinding compound to fair out head outlet seacock. Cleared out “Lubricant locker” & stowed contents in shed.
Did laundry (at last…).
28 Dec. – Sun.
Day off! Bicycle to “Mount” to watch triathlon. Soaked by drenching rain. Good exercise, though.
30 Dec. – Mon.
Work begins on cockpit. Brian & Chris rig awning over aft end. Chris & I begin removing cockpit “coverings” – all temp. makings I had earlier put in as weather proofing.
31 Dec. – Tues. – New Years Eve.
Chris & I continue tearing out cockpit. Remove combings with little damage, locker covers and corners, part of steering box.
Cockpit looks like hit by a bomb!
1 January 1986 – HAPPY NEW YEAR ?!
0730 Continue tearing out cockpit – dismantle steering box.
1040 While emptying rubbish from bow, my weight causes Rhysling to “nose dive” bow first tipping forward to ground. Pulpit dents boat shed. Local neighbors call Brian L. Boat has shifted forward on cradle. No apparent damage. We’ll wait ‘til after holidays to use crane and reposition her on cradle. Meanwhile aft end of cradle is wedged up for safety.
2 Jan. – Thurs.
Chris down to continue with cockpit, but surprised at Rhysling’s new “position”. We re-did awning to cover cockpit totally against rain. He & Brian & I went to arrange for crane for tomorrow. While Chris worked on other projects I cleaned up the teak combings. A gray, rainy day.
3 Jan. – Fri.
Prepare kerosene storage & fill tank.
1300 Crane & operator arrive to lift & reposition Rhysling on cradle.
1400 Rhysling back to original position. Bow block to prevent repeat tipover.
1500 Rampway rebuilt by Chris & Brian.
1530 Cisco aboard from Fiji! Later – Dinner with Brian & Val.
4 Jan. – Sat.
Clean & lube seacocks for cockpit drains. Cisco cleans & reorganizes galley & dry goods locker. Rainy day.
5 Jan. – Sun.
Clear sliding lockers stbd. side & store in shed.
Work on correspondence. Rainy day.
6 Jan. – Mon.
Chris & Brian begin on cockpit.
Bridge deck dismantled. All bad wood on main decks cut out.
7 Jan. – 13 Jan.
Off to Auckland & Rotorua with Cisco “sightseeing”.
13 Jan. – Mon.
Side decks and beams replaced, aft (lazarette) doubler replaced.
14 Jan. – Tues.
Frame up stbd. cockpit locker (Brian). Frame cockpit sole including steering mounts (Chris). Begin work on dinghy. Worm gear from steering to engineers for machining & re-babbiting.
15 Jan.
Continue building seat & framing cockpit sole & qtr. berth. Continue on dinghy.
16 Jan. – Thurs.
Continue work on qtr. berth, install base for bridge deck. Glass dinghy hull outside, fill holes.
17 Jan. – Fri.
Trip to Slipper Is. with Red Barker.
18 Jan. – Sat.
Remove shelving from stbd. side aft to clear for new galley. Remove SS ice box. Store all galley gear. Chris replace[s] companionway bulkhead and re-assemble companionway trim. Dinner by Cisco at the Lonergans.
19 Jan. – Sun.
Clear out and store all galley equipment. Scrub bottom of hull.
20 Jan. – Mon.
Chris frames in shelves for qtr. berth, Brian fits teak ply to companionway bulkhead, frames in door for comp. lockers.
21 Jan. – Tues.
Steering gear re-babbited, re-installed. Pull drain & reefer hoses to new location.
22 Jan. – Wed.
Rebuild mounts for steering gear.
Qtr. berth complete, seal settee top.
Begin refinishing combings.
23-24 Jan.
Cisco departs. Brian & Chris continue framing in new galley.
25 Jan. – Sat.
Rainy & windy – set & fill all nail heads in cockpit & qtr. berth. Re-install aft fuel tank vent. Drill & set fittings for stbd. cockpit locker lid drains.
26 Jan. – Sun.
Prepare & paint undercoat (white) on qtr. berth bins & cubby holes, also exhaust locker. Sand FG on dinghy bottom & gunwales. Glass aft seat.
27 Jan. – Tues.
To Paramount Sheetmetal with Brian Saunders to choose SS sink & countertop. Also to “Fred” to order fabrication of stanchions for self steering blocks (to mount by combings). Brian continues framing in new galley. Chris re-installs cockpit combings.
29 Jan. – Wed.
Chris & I re-install stbd. winch pad & winch. Brian frames up new sink counter. More money to QB – total paid so far: $8,000.00.
Riggers working on new booms. Old mast track to be replaced, but I’ll remove old screws to save labor. Mom’s B-day!
30 Jan. – Thurs.
A difficult night due to worries. Hope I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew! Chris & Brian assure me it’ll all work out. We install port winch & pad. Chris & I cove cockpit corners with epoxy resin & microballoons.
31 Jan. – Fri.
I sand cockpit to prepare for fiberglassing. Chris & Brian continue with new galley. We re-plumb pipe for propane to new stove location. I begin removing old SS sheets & old stove mounts.
1 Feb. – Sat.
Chris in on his own time to help me glass cockpit using epoxy resin & woven mat glass. I clean & straighten stainless sheetmetal from old stove location. Finish removing stove mount panels. Dinner with Lonergans. Rainy day.
2 Feb. – Sun.
All day spent installing “new” stove in galley. Panels, SS sheets, mounts & final gas connections (all tested). Rainy day.
3 Feb. – Mon.
Brian S. & I pick up Formica for new galley. Brian L. installs, also begins new galley overhead cupboards. Chris begins framing in new pilot berth & settee in old galley “hole”. I sand newly fiberglassed cockpit, plumb in new sink drains & fresh water pump spigot. Also install handle above qtr. berth & putty nail holes in qtr. berth.
4 Feb. – Tues.
Chris makes seats & back (with openings) for stbd. settee & pilot berth. Brian finishes Formica, cleans up ice box lids, completes aft overhead cupboard & installs. I brush on final coat of epoxy resin in cockpit & locker lid. Seal raw wood inside cockpit locker. Sand and prime qtr. berth. Make & install shelves & dividers in new settee lockers. Finish plumbing in galley sink drain, cut & fit hinges for ice box lid.
5 Feb. – Wed.
Chris continues on settee & pilot berth. Brian fits lids on ice box after Formica-ing; begins teak trim for galley. I sand and prime cockpit. Re-plumb sink drains in galley to bilge pump thru-hull. Squirted in left eye with epoxy glue while putting in teak plug. Checked out at hospital. All okay.
6 Feb. – Thurs.
Chris begins teak trim on settee. Re-Formicas panels each end, makes gutter under opening ports. Brian begins teak trim in new galley. I sand & undercoat cockpit; sand and finish coat qtr. berth. Drill for faucets on galley sink (press. H2O).
7 Feb. – Fri.
Holiday for the gang. I sand & prime settee & pilot berth stowage. Sand and topcoat cockpit with L. Polyurethane; also touchup on hull. Plug all screws in teak. Install lift rings on ice box lids. Fit & re-install hardware (hinges on companionway doors).
8 Feb. – Sat.
Sand off plugs in teak trim. Install new gaskets on ice-box lids. Sand qtr. berth overhead & sides. Sand new settee & lockers. 2nd finish coat on qtr. berth. Finish coat on settee & lkrs. Sandy to visit.
9 Feb. – Sun.
Wire 12V lamp for fwd. galley, 12V outlet aft galley, lamp & outlet & fan mount in qtr. berth. Re-install switches for running lights, binnacle, etc. Re-install eng. instrument panel & Plexiglas port. Install qtr. berth opening ports after minor modification.
10 Feb. – Mon.
Brian continues trim work, cupboard, etc., in new galley. Chris completes pilot berth, works on teak facing & trim by qtr. berth. I sand & prime dinghy, clear out tools and area for Chris to begin nav. station. Clive aboard to measure for squabs (cushions).
11 Feb. – Tues.
Brian continues with cabinets & trim in galley. Teak delivery arrives! Chris begins nav. station. I assist with removing old chart stowage box, etc. Paint finish coat on dinghy.
To Brian S’s to work out budget - $10,000.00 paid, $6,000.00 to go. Work to wind down by month’s end. All bills covered. Everdure steering gear box.
12 Feb. – Wed.
Brian begins galley doors, Chris on nav. station. I’m at Yacht Rigging to remove sail track on mainmast (225 SS screws chiseled off!). Also cleanup tape marks from mizzen. Return to Rhysling to complete installation of steering box controls. Run wires for VHF, SatNav, & wind/water generator to nav. station. Tricolor received in mail, also Fastnet[55] parts, but still wrong…
13 Feb. – Thurs.
Brian continues with doors, Chris on nav. station and tool bins. I make oarlocks (“rowlocks” as they say here) and install on dinghy. Brian plans and begins settee table. Val & Brian bring me dinner. Plumb in H2O lines to faucets for press. water system. Continue electric wiring to nav. sta. Return (again!) parts for new Fastnet lamp (Topgear, England).
14 Feb. – Fri. Y
Chris continue with nav. station voltmeter and amp meter with switch for chg. system installed. Teak panelling & trim begun. Brian laminates teak boards for table – prepares new floor beam for base. I tie down slide-out settee and re-face (Formica) drawer panel on upper port berth (settee back), glue & screw in place. Radar wire to Coast Electronics for re-termination. Brian installs cutting board and teak galley post. Fred aboard to estimate for boom crutch (SS, and SS dodger bows. Dodger $100.00, crutch $300.00)
15 Feb. – Sat.
Watch Whitbread face start at Lonergan’s. Measure & cut hoops for new dodger frame. Draw plan for boom gallows.
16 Feb. – Sun.
Install spare parts boxes in tool storage area; bin shelves, vice, saw holders, lamp in galley area, radar mount.
17 Feb. – Mon.
Chris continues on nav. station. Brian does teak table. I see Fred about boom gallows, SS tank repair, SS stove shields, dodger bows, etc. I reinforce oar tips, make drawer wedges, leather on oars.
18 Feb. – Tues.
Brian installs new teak table. Chris continues with trim in nav. station. Inst. SatNav & radio, begins face for portside tool bins. I check with Simon at Admiralty Rigging on mast & booms. New mast track almost in place. Rigging gear to him for poss. trace. I install lift handles on dinghy stern, fender on gunwales and bow. See Clive about squabs (cushions).
19 Feb. – Wed.
Chris continues with nav. station & tool storage areas (teak trim). I install & test SatNav receiver. Brian cuts & sets post for new teak table (N.Z. kauri for future Tongan carving). I place & drill mizzen mast step with help from Chris. Set thru deck gland for SatNav antenna wire. Brian begins final fitting of cabinet, locker doors. I set fittings & hoses for cockpit locker drains. Paint “Puddle Shuttle” on stern of new dinghy. Glue reflective strips all around. Plug new teak table.
20 Feb. – Thurs.
Chris continues nav. station area. Brian, Brian on galley trim. I sand and wax teak table.
21 Feb. – Fri.
Chris on nav. station, Brian trim & galley doors. Party with John Sowerby & gang.
22 Feb. – Sat.
Fit latches on galley lockers, dinner in town.
23 Feb. – Sun.
Wire engine instrument panel/alarms. Install radar, tool stowage.
24 Feb. – Mon.
Brian finishes galley drawers. Chris continues nav. station trim on qtr. berth. Brian S. begins figuring for cockpit teak. Colin Spriggs aboard to estimate for dodger cover ($150 - $200).
25 Feb. – Tues.
Brian works on misc. trim, begins doors for portside lockers. Chris works on qtr. berth trim, beings installing nav. station seat. Clive Woodward aboard to make patterns & measure for squabs. I paint sealer on new drawers. Brian S. cuts teak for bridge deck.
26 Feb. – Wed.
Brian continues building portside doors, begins cutting teak for cockpit combings. Chris continues with nav. station seat, qtr. berth trim. Installs electric bilge pump switch & cover board below plotting table. I make cup & glass rack for cupboard. Sand, wax and make stopper toggles for galley drawers. Glue stopper & seal cutting board.
27n Feb. – Thurs.
Brian finishes hanging doors, does misc. trim work. Chris finishes qtr. berth trim and other misc. trim. Begins plate & bowl racks in galley cupboard. I work on knife & silverware holders for galley drawer. Final payment to QB for all work & materials through 28 Feb. Total spent: NZ$16,131.54.
28 Feb. – Fri.
Chris finishes plate & bowl racks for galley cupboard. I install boom gallows with help from Chris. Brian not working today. I install SS sheets around stove area. Build blocks & drill for cabin top mounting of sheet blocks.
1 March – Sat.
Install knife holder in galley drawer. Convert plastic jug for kerosene tank and build holder. Finish drilling for mainsheet block mounts on cabin top.
2 March – Sun.
Mount mainsheet blocks, winch, and cleat on cabin top. Notch teak combing for sheet lead. Sand and paint 1st coat white on cabin sides. Relocate tools to top of nav. station seat. Paint touchup in upper cabin.
3 March – Mon.
Remove and reinstall dinghy chocks to fit new “Puddle Shuttle”. Install tiedown eye in deck for dinghy bow. Sand & paint 2nd coat on cabin sides.
4 March – Tues.
Rain. Install remaining latches on new locker doors. Brian S. prepares teak for bridge deck.
5 March – Wed.
Assist Chris gluing & screwing cockpit combings (teak reinforcements). Mount bridge deck bulkhead teak for Brian S. Brian L. works on steering box cover (teak). Install last 2 galley locker latches.
6 March – Thurs.
Brian S. cuts & fits teak for bridge deck. We buy 170 SS screws for same. Brian L. works on steering box cover. I cut and solder radar wire for term[in]al box, check continuity of all pins. Sand remaining teak plugs and set nails on interior, assist Brian S. as needed. Grind screw ends for teak deck fasteners. Receive head lubricant & rebuild kit sent by Brent & Jean last Jan. Lube tow/wind generator shaft.
7 March – Fri.
Brian does final fitting on bridge deck teak. I bore holes. Chris & I glue & screw it down. I plug holes including those in combings. Total – 220.
8 March – Sat.
Sand all teak in cockpit. Fiberglass side decks with chopped mat and epoxy resin. Dinner at Lonergan’s.
9 March – Sun.
Make teak fittings for fwd. cabin bookshelves. Install wedges on remaining drawers. Replace broken sliding plexiglass doors in fwd cabin. Sand all new teakwork, set & fill nail holes, and wax all teak.
Brian makes & installs caps on cockpit combings. I assist. Clear shelf above nav. station, prepare barograph for mounting.
11 March – Tues.
Brian finishes combing end caps. We caulk bridge deck with black RTV. I sand newly fiberglassed side decks.
12 March – Wed.
Clean up day in the boatshed. I help Chris & Brian clear out 3 trailer-loads of sawdust & wood scraps. Dinner at the Saunders: Peter Dunn pays $80.00 for broken tricolor light.
13 March – Thurs.
Brian finishes teak trim in cockpit. Chris & I install hinge & fit cockpit locker lid. Sort through equipment stored in shed to prepare for Saturday’s marine garage sale. Visit by Ed Eno’s friend Tom. Touchup white paint on cockpit locker lid.
14 March – Fri.
Cove around deck & cockpit combings with epoxy resin (ran short). Set up for tomorrow’s garage sale.
15 March – Sat.
Big garage sale! Started at 9am and by 10:30 nearly everything was sold. Total earned: $1035.00 N.Z.! Met lots of nice people, mostly boaters. Dinner at Lonergans.
16 March – Sun.
Finish coving around cockpit, install locker latches in cockpit seat. Begin stowing parts and spares. Midday dinner with the Saunders’.
17 March – Mon.
Final sanding & paint side decks by cockpit. Finish trim at ends of pilot berth. Organize “junk pile” in forepeak. Dinner with Stewart & Margaret Patterson.
18 March – Tues.
Drill & epoxy deck gland for radar wire. Install new stanchions for self steering blocks to wheel drum. Install misc. interior fittings. Build box for eyeglass cleaning station. Install plates around mizzen shrouds (with bedding) – re-install. Pushpit stanchion supports.
19 March – Wed.
Prepare & paint main deck. Soot from land burnoff interrupts painting by sticking to freshly painted foredeck. Install port jib sheet cleat in cockpit. Sew sail slides on mizzen sail foot.
20 March – Thurs.
All arrangements made for re-launch 1 April. Crane, transport, slipway. Went to Admiralty Rigging & masked mast for painting. Install stbd. jib sheet cleat. Install hold hooks on ice box, chart table & engine compartment lids. Mount spare bilge pump on board.
21 March – Fri. *Vernal Equinox*
Clean bilge – some oil & water, check bilge pump. Add packing to shaft (one ring). Check on spare high pressure pipes to injectors. Sort out gear in fore cabin.
22 March – Sat.
Sail slides sewn on trysail. Start & run engine to check all systems, charge batts. etc. Slight oil leak in xmission[56]. All else ok. Stow hoses & cables. Stow sails. Dinner with the McCloud family.
23 March – Sun.
Continue stowing gear – eng. spares & misc. items in lower cabin settee. Afternoon spent at Maori Hangi with Josie to meet Guff about blessing Rhysling at her relaunching.
24 March – Mon.
Wet sand bottom with 100 grit abrasive, rinse & scrub. Chris & Sandy help. Remove zincs. Dinner out with Sandy.
25 March – Tues.
Wind and passing showers. Continue stowing gear. No more rain by noon. Roll out hull using Epiglass “E-Type” antifouling (vinyl). 2 coats took approx. 10 litres (5 ltrs. per coat).
26 March – Wed.
Mask & paint waterline. International Paints “Interlux” Super Vinyl-Lux antifouling. 1 qt. (.946 ltr.) covered 3 coats on the WL[57]. Get spare high pressure pipes for engine; misc. errands.
Dinner at Saunders’. Attach zincs (new shaft collar & upper rudder gudgeons; re-use all others).
27 March – Thurs.
Telegram to xfer funds from M.L. S.B. Remove fittings from old booms. Prepare to move masts to slipway (load on trailer at Admiralty Rigging). Continue sewing new slides on mainsail.
28 March – Fri.
continue sewing slides on main (only 15 to go on luff). Lube & exercise all turnbuckles. Re-install mizzen turnbuckles. Continue stowing misc. gear. Clean up head. Prepare mast step for main. Paint antifouling on Aries rudder. Construct fiddles for coffee mess. Dinner at Lonergan’s. Rain. Lube winches and steering gear. Fill grease cartridges.
29 March – Sat.
Finish sewing sail slides on main. Install coffee mess, fiddles. Glue on cockpit cushion Velcro. Stow remaining gear in lazarette. Begin re-rigging Aries. Stow misc. gear fwd. Excess chain under lower cabin flooring. Oil & stow spare diesel high pressure pipes.
30 March – Sun.
Glue material in qtr. berth cubbyholes. Rig masts at slipway with standing rigging. Check wiring. MH[58] light works ok (replacement for damaged one), but spreader & bow lights have bad connections. Dinner with Greenaways.
31 March Mon. – Holiday…?
Glue Velcro for settee cushions. Clear & organize sliding lockers amidships. Remove & fold cockpit cover. Dismantle ramp. Finish going over masts at slipway. Check battery water, make removable E.R. seat. Check xmission oil. Wax companionway washboard. Vacuum remainder of boat. Evening rain. KFC dinner.
1 April – Tues.
0900 Todd & Poollack people in to bring straps & spreader bars.
0930 Len (transport) to check out situation for hauling.
Prepare lines, etc.
1000 Crane on site. Set up sp. bars etc.
Prepare to shift Rhysling in cradle.
1115 Rhysling in water at 600T slipway.
By 1300 we had the mizzen stepped and were well into stepping the main mast. Mizzen was a bit tangled, but with Chris & Brian’s help we managed to sort it out. By 1330 the main was stepped. A bit of a hassle getting it into the step, but we did it. Things a bit tangled in the rigging, but Chris hauled me up to straighten it out. Chris & the 2 Brians got all the mast wedges in! We had to shift to a proper mooring before the tide ebbed, but engine wouldn’t start – bled & re-bled fuel system, but no luck. Batteries down. Even used jumpers to house batteries. Also used Brian’s car batt., but still no luck. Decided to wait ‘til slack water and shift Rhysling by hand. Allen came by & offered to help. So at 6pm Allen, Colin, Brian, Brian, Devin, Alistaire, and Allen’s son helped. Toasted the re-launching with some champagne before they left.
Lots of things now on the list, but it sure feels good to be back in the water! A bit bow heavy, but maybe due to so much less teak (weight) in cockpit. Shouldn’t be any trouble to trim out.
Bolt down mizzen step, connect binnacle wire. Chris & Allen aboard to help start diesel. New batteries & jumpers, bled system twice, checked possible air leak at tank, but still no luck. Asked friends at Diesel Works, possibly pump, will check tomorrow. Arrangements made with Josie to have Guff bless Rhysling this weekend (Sun. 10am). Chafing gear on lines. Met neighbor “Roger” on launch stbd. side. Lines from power boat to bow chocks. Met Dave from sailboat 2 berths away. Steak dinner – first cooked on Rhysling in months – Jeff from local Breakfast Inn aboard for visit in afternoon.
3 April – Thurs.
Rhysling appears to be a bit bow heavy, probably due to less heavy wood in cockpit, also less heavy gear in lazarette. To trim her out I removed nearly all the lead from the fwd. bilge. A big job getting them out. Allen came to help with engine, but spent most of the time helping me remove the lead. I sold it to a metal company (600 pounds = NZ$191.00).
We tried the engine again & determined that the fuel pump is working properly. Fuel is going thru the injectors but just not firing, so it may be a compression problem. As soon as I get the batteries up my diesel mechanic friend will look at it.
Topped off all water tanks to properly trim Rhysling.
Met John & wife who live on a 45’ ketch with their 3 children. John in a descendant of the people on Pitcairn Island (from the Young family).
Seal up mast boot on main, attach bonding wire. Re-install binnacle plug wiring. Re-install Aries drum on wheel. Up mizzen & main masts to tighten spreader tips & re-install chafe gear. Re-install radar reflector on mizzen side of triatic. Strong, gusty 20-25 kt. winds. Some shopping for misc. gear. Sandy on after Raratonga trip. First leg of lamb dinner cooked aboard in ages!
5 April – Sat.
Lots of running around. Bit of shopping for weekend. Ordered parts to repair press[ure] kero[sene] lantern. Replaced trim around mainmast in head. Set up flag halyards. Began tiedown for sewing machine. Dinner at Lonergan’s.
6 April – Sun.
General cleanup. Prepare for morning guests. Bake cookie bars. 10am Josie and family aboard. 0930 Josie’s brother, Murray, on to check diesel. With some coaxing & luck (and a bit of ether) we get her started. Through the day she’s run with 4 tests. No problems once the batteries are charged.
1030 “Guff” blesses Rhysling for future safe voyages to come. A traditional Maori ceremony followed by tea, coffee, cookies, beer & wine. A real “family” gathering. A wonderful relaxing Sunday enjoying and sharing Rhysling with others. John & Toniora from yacht “Gryphon” and family joining in to visit. Also Val from Tokalau Islands. Sandy brings coffee from Raratonga, plus pot, etc.
A truly wonderful, “good vibrations” day!
7 April – Mon.
Check with slipmaster, John Sowerby, about shifting to marina. Check leak in kero. tank.
Stefan Hammerer of Munich, Germany aboard as temporary crew to help with preparations and possibly on passage to Tonga. Up mizzen to install SatNav antenna. Wind instruments and radio antenna installed on main mast.
8 April – Tues.
Install radar antenna on mizzen. Bend on main & mizzen sails. check reefing gear on mizzen. Run engine & test radar, SatNav, etc. Radar rotor malfunction, possibly mechanical linkage problem. Sandy aboard for dinner. Check “new” berth at marina.
9 April – Wed.
Prepare to shift to marina berth.
1230 Jesse and John aboard to help with shift.
1250 Engine on
1300 Slip lines
1310 u/w up ship channel to Tauranga Marina.
1340 Moored in berth H-65 at N. end of marina. Stefan works on radar rotor motor. Order charts & publications at chandlery. Cel-nav[59] pow-wow with Keith & Gary of “Amazing Grace”.
10 April – Thurs.
Clear lockers and forepeak areas; organize. Mount Aries. Test “Puddle Shuttle”. Stow Avon.
11 April – Fri.
Customs official on board to deliver forms for clearing out next week. Stefan on errands. Repair press. water leak in galley sink. Brian L. on to bring sharpened chisels. Repair kerosene tank. Check all thru-hulls for DC plugs. Stow 45# CQR in lazarette, tie down misc. deck gear. Strong SW winds [in] am (25-35 kts.) Re-stow Puddle Shuttle.
12 April – Sat.
Stefan works on kerosene tank. Purchase new vang blocks. Check and re-stow liferaft. Set up boom downhaul & temporary mainsheet block hanger. John & Tongi aboard for visit. Decide to go for brief test sail.
1315 Engine on, bend on #2 jib.
1400 u/w out marina entrance – SW winds, 12-18 kts.
1405 Main & jib up, engine secured. Sail through main channel.
1420 Mizzen up, tacking near Pilot Bay, including Loop-the-Loop near “Amazing Grace”
1435 Leave channel, daysailing in approx. N direction.
1625 Enter channel, engine on, down all sails.
1715 Moored at marina berth. Clean up.
All in all a good sail. Some details to set right, but basically the new booms & sail tracks seem fine. Vang will be more necessary with the lighter booms. Mainsheet leads on house seem ok, but lead to winch needs a lower fairlead. Boom gallows seems fine, but I may end up lowering it an inch or so. Steering a bit stiff, but more responsive than before. Shouldn’t be any problem for Aries. Felt good to be out again, and I think Rhysling is anxious to get going to the tropics. We are!
Inventory existing stores, begin provisioning list. Organize dry goods locker. Stefan to friends to drop off gear.
Provision with help of Brian & Val. $1100.00 spent.
15 April – Tues.
Pay for musical instruments. shop for booze with Brian L. Errands.
16 April – Wed.
Stow provisions. Errands. Bay Times reporter, Andrew Campbell, aboard for interview. Dinner at Sandy’s.
17 April – Thurs.
Finish stowing provisions. Errands. Going away get-together with 2 Brians & families, Sandy.
18 April – Fri.
Morning errands. Top off all fresh water. Chris aboard for good-byes.
1000 Riggers on to finish block hangers on booms. Finish rigging reefing gear.
1300 Shift to fuel dock to take on diesel. Tanks topped off. $0.67.3 per liter. 334.3 liters = NZ$225.00.
1405 u/w to Pilot Bay, Mt. Manganue.
1435 Anchored in 35’ water, Pilot Bay.
19 April – Sat.
0615 Anchor up; u/w to Salisbury Wharf, Pilot Bay, Tauraga (running lights on).
0620 Moored, Salisbury Wharf, customs officer aboard, secure running lights.
0635 Cleared. u/w to Tonga Is. Motoring due to lt. winds.
0705 Point of Departure[60] - Tauranga entrance buoy.
0730 o/c 320ºM
0755 Karew Is. abeam port – SMG = 6.0!
0910 Abeam Katikati entrance. SMG = 4.5.
1300 Diesel leak discovered on fuel return line.
1310 Anchored in 20’ water, Home Bay, Slipper Is.
1715 Shift to mooring buoy while working on diesel problem.
Variable light winds, passing showers. Clean bilge, check & add engine & xmission oil. Close valve between fuel tanks. Attempt to locate cause of leak. Saltwater leak discovered in port cockpit drain seacock. Repaired with double hose clamps. Correspondence.
21 April – Mon.
Continued calm &/or N, NE winds, passing showers. Mount clocks at nav. station for LMT[61] and GMT. Fill water jugs. Sun shot exercise.
22 April – Tues.
Continued calm. Prepare “cockpit granola”. Provisions, laundry. Rig Aries steering lines.
23 April – Wed.
Cause of fuel leak discovered (gravity feeding from line between tanks). Fill water jugs. Rig liferaft & kit with “Puddle Shuttle”.
1130 Run engine to check leak, adjust voltage regulator.
1140 u/w to Tonga Is.
1150 Point of Departure, NW corner Slipper Is. abeam stbd.
o/c 007ºM under power due to light, variable N-NE winds.
1345 Alderman Is. (Sugarloaf Is.) abeam stbd.
1420 4-6 kt. breeze from N. Up lg. jib, main & mizzen.
Secure engine. o/c 050ºM, approx. 3 kts.
2350 Satfix: 36º 53.9S – 176º 33.5E
24 April – Thurs.
0300 Calm – down lg. jib.
0400 Secure SatNav[62]
1030 Dead calm. All sails down.
1320 Light breeze from WNW. Up lg. jib. o/c 000ºM
1610 Up mizzen. o/c 015ºM
1730 o/c 040ºM, s[peed] 3.0
2200 Wind from NNW; up main. o/c 010ºM, S 4.5
2304 Observe start of lunar eclipse.
2320 Winds down to near calm. S: 0.5 kt.
2340 Wind shift to N. o/c 030ºM, S: 4.5
0007 Observe total lunar eclipse; Farewell to Halley’s Comet…
0030 Winds down. o/c 020ºM, 2 kts.
0205 After 15 min. increased winds, winds down, 0 kts.
0235 Incr. winds. o/c 020ºM, 2.5 kts.
0255 Winds down, rainfall, calm.
0430 Calm; passing showers (variable winds 0-12 kts.)
0530 Dead calm, down jib.
0700 Breeze from N, up lg. jib. o/c 030ºM, 3.5 kts.
0900 Rig towing generator, charge #2 battery.
0940 Lube steering & Aries.
1845 Down lg. jib, up #2 jib. Slight wind increase, better rig balance. o/c 040ºM
2315 Discovered leaking elbow flange on stbd. manual bilge pump thru-hull. Closed seacock.
0000 o/c 045ºM, 4.5 kts. Moderate breeze
0604 Morning star sight – fix: 35º 49.5S – 178º 19.5E
course to Nuku’alofa 001ºM, 941 NM.
1830 Continuing o/c 320ºM. 4.5 kts. Single reefed main, #2 jib & mizzen. Moderate breeze 16-18 kts.
2030 Windschift [sic][63] o/c 290ºM, short rain shower.
2200 Continued passing showers with accompanying backing winds (20º), but all very brief. Average course 320ºM – 330ºM
0300 Since 0100 o/c 315ºM
0610 Morning fix: 34º 22.2S – 177º 00.3E – Nuku’alofa 890.9 NM.
1130 Lube steering & Aries
1430 Secure trolling generator. Switch to #2 house battery.
2200 Winds abating (14-18 kts.). Continuing o/c 310º - 320ºM.
0000 Course averaging 320ºM - 4.5 kts.
0400 Course averaging 315ºM - 4.5 kts.
0606 Morning fix: 32º 44.7S – 175º 42.8E. CMG = 326ºT
SMG = 4.9. Nuku’alofa = 844.5 NM
1200 Course averaging 315ºM, 4.5 kts.
1800 Course averaging 320ºM, 4.5 kts.
29 April – Tues.
0000 Average course = 315ºM, 4.5 kts.
0400 Onto port tack, o/c 070ºM, 3.5 kts.
0600 Winds abating (2-4 kts.?)
0609 Morning fix: 31º 00.7S – 174º 54.3E.
Last 24 hrs – 111.9 NM. 792 NM to Nuku’alofa
SMG = 4.7, CMG = 338ºT
0900-
1200 Light, variable NE winds. Av. course: 070ºM-100ºM, speed – 2-3 kts.
1300 Lube steering & Aries, adjust Aries steering line blocks, clean bilge, clean pump water filter, retrieve broken spreader light (stbd.)
1900 Becalmed. Down main & jib.
30 April – Wed.
0000 Continued calm. Course & speed = 0.
0430 Slight breeze from NW, but mainly calm.
0612 Morning fix: 31º 15.8S – 175º 30.1E
Past 24 hrs. – CMG = 116[ºM], distance run – 34.3 NM – SMG = 1.4.
0720 Engine on to charge batteries & motor thru calm. o/c 035ºM, 4.5 kts. Alternator not charging; must troubleshoot problem.
0830 Breeze from N, NNW. Secure engine, up main, #2 jib & mizzen. o/c 020ºM, S: 3.0.
0930 Run engine to test alternator. Bypass v[oltage] regulator to find alt. works okay but needs higher RPMS (1500) to begin charging.
1030 Wind increase – NW 12-14 kts. SMG = 4.0 kts.
1500 Further wind increase and more NWN63
1800 Wind dropp63 speed approx. 3 kts.
1900-
2359 Calm. Mizzen down. “Drift mode”.
1 May – Thurs.
0030 Wind up from NNW. o/c 040ºM, 4 kts.
0130 Mizzen up, o/c 045ºM, 4.5 kts.
0410 Mizzen down due to excess wx helm[64]
0554 Morning fix: 30º 29.8S – 176º 49.7E. CMG = 039ºM
SMG = 3.4. Past 24 hrs. – 82.6 NM, 702.8 to go!
1200 Average course 040ºM – 5 kts.
1315 Adjust main & mizzen to take wind abaft port beam. o/c 050ºM – 5 kts.
1330 Lube steering & Aries.
1420 Deploy trolling generator.
2000 o/c 060ºM
0000 Course averaging 030ºM. Spd. = 6.0
0600 Morning fix: 29º 24.5S – 179º 05.1E
24 hrs. = 134.8 NM, CMG = 044ºM, SMG = 5.6. 580NM to Nuku’alofa
Wind & seas increasing. 18-20 kts.
0630 Single reef in main. o/c 030ºM – 040ºM. Spd. = 5.5 kts.
1200 Winds increasing to 20-25 kts. – 30 kt. gusts.
1330 change to working jib with single reefed main. o/c 030ºM
1530 Transit 180th meridian.
1830 Winds abating to 16-18 kts. – o/c 030ºM
2300 Moderate NW winds (16-18 kts.). o/c 030ºM, 5 kts.
3 May – Sat.
0200 Wind calmed down, o/c 030ºM, 5 kts.
0310 Short rain shower and stronger winds, o/c 010ºM, 4.5 kts.
0430 Wind backing to WNW, no increase. Passing showers.
0515 Wind continuing to back WSW, no increase. Continuing showers. o/c 000ºM, 4.5 kts.
0600 Nearly calm, slight breeze from SW. Down main and jib, up #2 jib. Drizzle. DR: 27º 52.3S – 179º 09.5W[65]
0730 Dead calm. Down #2 jib.
0735 Up mizzen for steadying sail. Drift mode. Drizzle.
1600 Continue drift mode. Overcast. Rhysling offers rest stop for 6 visiting birds, one flies into and out of main cabin twice.
1730 Breeze out of SE! Up #2 jib, main, mizzen.
1745 u/w on course 010ºM – 3.5 kts.
1805 Wind dropping, o/c approx. 000ºM. 1 kt.
1830 wind returning, o/c 010ºM. 3 kts.
2040 Jib down after repeated calm. Drift mode.
2130 Main down. Dead calm.
0000 Continued calm. Drift mode with mizzen “steadier”.
0400 continued calm. Rain & drizzle (intermittent).
0630 Calm, drizzle. Engine on. Motor o/c 010ºM to charge batteries & find wind… SMG = 4.5 kts.
1200 Noon fix: 26º 25.0S – 178º 20.0W. 255.9 NM to Nuku.
2200 Continuing o/c 010ºM. 4.5 kts. under power. Flat calm.
5 May – Mon.
0000 o/c 010ºM, 4.5 kts. under power. Calm
0540 Dawn. Secure engine for star sight. Slight breeze from ESE!
0545 Morning fix: 24º 57.6S – 177º 26.2W
SMG = 5.7 kts. To Nuku’alofa = 255.8 NM
0730 Up #2 jib (mizzen up). u/w o/c 010ºM - . Speed ≈ 2 kts.
0830 wind increase (ESE 8-10). Up main, down mizzen. o/c 010ºM, S: 4 kts.
1200 à 1300 Advance clocks to conform with –13 time zone (Tonga Is.)
1755 Starfix: 177º 18.0W - 24º14.0S[66]. SMG = 3.7 kts.
1930 o/c 020ºM (average of 000º - 035º). 5 kts.
2350 wind shift to ENE with passing showers. o/c 330ºM
6 May – Tues.
0020 Wind shift back to SE. o/c 015ºM. 4.5 kts.
0230 Windshifts and weakening during ½ hr of rain, now back o/c 010ºM.
0300 o/c 020ºM; 5 kts.
0445 Wind increase with approaching showers (18-20 kts.). o/c 030ºM.
0500 o/c 020ºM, 5.5 kts. Winds back to ESE 14-18 kts.
0600 Rain, wind shift to ENE. o/c 350ºM.
0615 Wind back to ESE; o/c 020ºM.
0642 Morning fix: 23º 17.6S – 176º38.8W. SMG = 5.3, CMG = 017ºM.
1130 Atai in sight 2 points on port bow.
1800 Drissle63. o/c 010ºM, 18-20 kts (wind). SPD 5.5 kts.
2130 Down #2, up working jib. Due to increased winds (25-32 kts.). o/c 010ºM, S 5-6 kts.
2300 Contact sighted astern, hull down – white & red lights. Nothing on Ch. 16 VHF.
2350 Rain, moderate to heavy. o/c 010ºM.
7 May – Wed.
0000 o/c 010ºM, S: 5.5-6 kts. Continued moderate to heavy rain. Low visibility.
0250 Loom[67] sighed bearing 050ºM, possibly Nuku’alofa lights. o/c 000ºM
0500 Tongatapu Is. 3 nm ahead. o/c 340ºM to clear W side.
0735 Duff Reef and light (14M) in line.
0745 Niu Aunofo Lt. abeam stbd. o/c 040ºM
0800-
1145 Rain, often heavy, accompanied by winds 18-34 kts. Sail up & down ocean side of NW reef awaiting break in weather. No letup, possibly ‘til tomorrow, so…
1200 Set course to Vava’u Group. o/c 000ºM, S: 4.5, double reefed main & working jib. Winds 30-36 kts. Lite off SatNav. Try to get dry!
1902 Satfix: 20º 18.45S – 175º 11.88W
2315 Wind down to 12-16 kts. Shake out reef in main (single reef with working jib). o/c 010ºM.
2345 Rig trolling generator.
8 May – Thurs.
0012 Satfix: 20º 00.3S – 175º 06.0W. SMG = 4.8, CMG = 003ºM
0120 R&B to Tofua Is: 8 NM, 005ºM
0230 Onto port tack to clear Tofua Is. o/c 130ºM
0700 Lube steering & Aries
0745 Shake out reef in main (main & working jib).
1220 Abeam Fatainanangi Is. o/c 050ºM
1230 Rig trolling generator
1230 Satfix: 19º 45.8S – 174º 43.0W. Spd. = 5 kts.
1600 “Reduce” sail, increasing winds.
1615 “Heave-to” in vicinity of Ofolanga Is.
1900 u/w with SE rain & wind.
2000 Double reefed main & wkg jib. o/c 015ºM
2300 Rain, 28-36 kt. winds.
0000 Continued rain, heavy at times. o/c 015ºM, Spd. = 5 kts.
0028 Satfix: 19º 13.1S – 174º 21.4W
0400 DR position possibly near Fatumanga Is. Heavy rain, poor visibility. Plan to heave-to. Increased winds – 40+ kts. Down jib, down main (after jibe). Up reefed mizzen. Hove-to at 0445 with NW drift.
0500 Satfix: 18º 51.56S – 174º 13.27W
0720 Up working jib – on our way o/c 020ºM. Winds 35-40 kts.
1020 Light at Ava Pulepuleuai Channel abeam.
1200 Engine on, motor to Neiafu. “Q” up.
1315 Moored alongside 2 vessels, Neiafu Wharf. Awaiting customs, ag., & immigration clearance.
1440 Cleared by customs, agriculture & health. Will report to immigration office later today.
1545 Police person says immigration officer away at boxing match. We should report to him first thing tomorrow a.m.
1630 u/w to anchorage.
1650 Anchored in 25’ water off Catholic church.
10 May – Sat.
1100 To Immigration, but no one home. At rugby match? Told by police to try again Monday.
1600 Visit with David Wolfgram & family. Magic show.
11 May – Sun.
Correspondence. Balance owed to Stefan: NZ$207.00, less 22 days @ $5 per day = NZ$97.00 owed.
Errands, photos of church conference feast. Invited with David W. to join feast.
13 May – Tues.
Re-install bonding wire on mast. Drill drain hole fwd. side of mast to let out F. water! Remove & check elbow on stbd. bilge-pump (hand) thru-hull. Replace rubber gasket, tighten. Stefan re-builds onion baskets. Organize canned goods & forepeak area. Pote comes to look at new banjo for Moana.
14 May – Wed.
Shopping. Letter of permission to visit outer islands to Collector of Customs. Cake for David & Mary (Mary’s b-day).
Check &add battery water. General engine check.
Capt. ill with stomach cramps & slight fever, chills.
15 May – Thurs.
0745 Prepare to get u/w. Stow loose gear. Rig #2 jib.
0800 Matoto’s son David aboard for sail to Pangai.
0910 Anchor up, u/w from Neiafu. #2 jib & mizzen.
1210 Anchored in 35’ water at Lisa Beach, Pangaimotu.
1700 To Pangai Village for dinner with Matoto’s family.
16 May – Fri.
Get together with Tavita & Moana – “The Rhysling Band Boys”. Tonga music jam session! Banjo, guitar & 2 ukuleles.
17 May – Sat.
Cloudy, rain, gusty ESE to easterly winds. Partial clearing in afternoon. To Matoto’s feast.
18 May – Sun.
Cloudy, moderate breeze. Tevita, Charlie & Moana aboard in eve. for dinner and music session.
19 May – Mon.
Shorten & re-splice topping lift. Rig longer main boom downhaul. Begin waxing teak. Scrub bottom of Puddle Shuttle.
20 May – Tues.
Install fairlead for mainsheet on cabin top. Enlarge opening in teak combing. Install chafe strips for mainsheet blocks. Install winch handle holders in cockpit area.
Visit by Chuck of Seagull School, Hawaii. In Vava’u on Hokale’a. Stefan off bicycling.
21 May – Wed.
Big “picnic” feast by Moana, Tevita, Noony, Moana’s brother & friends at Lisa Beach. Lots of good food & kava. All day jam session of Tongan music.
Evening feast & music at Hausea family beach with crew of “Spellbound” – Hill family of Palo Alto.
22 May – Thurs.
0815 Prepare to get u/w
0855 Anchor up, u/w with engine to Port Refuge.
1035 Anchored in 70’ water E side Port Refuge.
1340 u/w from Port Refuge after taking salon table post to Taniella, village carver in Longomabu. One fishing boat with 4 men in tow to drop off at Tu’uungasika Is.
1400 Boat off at Tu’uungasika Is., continue to Hunga Is.
1450 Enter Hunga “Lagoon”
1500 Anchored in 50’ water, Hunga.
23 May – Fri.
Complete fairlead for mainsheet on cabin top. Continue waxing teak. Fashion & install bronze chafe strip by stbd. cleat (on toerail).
Check anemometer analog.
Kava drinking in evening with Sione & friends.
24 May – Sat.
1415 Prepare to shift in anchorage further from coral area. Winds SSE 12-16.
1420 u/w, up anchor to shift.
1435 Anchored in 80’ water, Hunga.
25 May – Sun.
Church and feast for Gary & Sabina. Visitors Emily, 2 boys & baby in afternoon.
26 May – Mon.
0830 Prepare to get u/w to Neiafu.
0900 u/w from Hunga Is. anchorage
0930 Engine off. #2 jib & mizzen up.
1210 Down sails, motor to Neiafu anchorage.
1230 Anchored in 35’ water, Neiafu.
27 May – Tues.
0900 Prepare to get u/w
0930 Engine on. Up anchor.
0940 Moored portside to Don Coleman Marine Services to take on fresh water. Top off all tanks & jugs. Add 3 tsp. bleach per 100 gals.
1005 u/w to Neiafu anchorage.
1020 Anchored in 30’ water. Commence “big washday”
28 May – Wed.
1400 Prepare for Neiafu Harbor race.
1455 Up mizzen. u/w all sails, lg. jib.
1500 u/w to start race. Very light winds. Start approx. 1545.
1717 Cross finish line.
1740 Engine on, down sails (some prob. with engine start).
1745 Anchored in 35’ water, Neiafu.
Barbeque at D. Coleman’s with yachties.
29 May – Thurs.
Continue waxing teak. Check possible electric problem with engine start switch. Replace with new switch. Problem apparently solved. Visit with Neil, Shirley, Tony & Venessa of “Lady Oz” to discuss diesel probs, windsurfing mast repairs. Turks’s head stopper on inflatable oar. Clean bilges, check for diesel leaks. Add 1 qt. oil to xmission. Clean galley filter. Wire & check pin on anchor roller bolt (nut missing…). Cloudy, rainy day…
30 May – Fri.
Install new book fiddles in forepeak.
1450 Engine on, prepare to get u/w to anch. #449
1500 Anchor up, u/w.
1535 Anchored at Muitatau anchorage (#4) – 25’ water.
31 May – Sat.
Passing rain showers. Work on correspondence.
1 June – Sun.
1130 Prepare to get u/w to Tongan Resort anchorage.
1145 u/w with engine to Tongan Resort anchorage
1215 Anchored in 30’ water
1230 Re-anchor, same area
1735 Prepare to get u/w with passengers: Nicole Copel & Connie Deady, Margaret Green & 1 bike from Tauranga.
1815 Alongside wharf to discharge pax & bike.
1830 Anchored in 35’ water, Neiafu anchorage.
2 June – Mon.
0830 Ashore for fresh provisions
1015 Prepare to get u/w
1035 u/w main & large jib.
1205 Up mizzen
1415 Transit Fanua Tapu Pass
1505 All sails down, approach Kenutu Is.
1530 Anchored in 25’ water, SSW side Kentutu Is. “Lady Oz” in anchorage.
3 June – Tues.
Propane tank #1 empty, change to #2. [Put] Empty in fwd stowage, port side (#1 lasted 2 months).
Rope handle on new bucket. Clean solar shower. New part in Hippolito lantern. Re-sew Velcro on portside settee cushion backs. Mansfield family from “Lady Oz” over for spaghetti dinner.
4 June – Wed.
Correspondence…
Change galley foot pump. Caulk around cabinet…
5 June – Thurs.
1000 Prepare to get u/w to ‘Olo’ua Is.
1005 Up anchor
1010 u/w from Kenutu to ‘Olo’ua Is. Cloudy, passing rain showers.
1110 Anchored in 15’ water at ‘Olo’ua Is.
Finish waxing teak. Visited by Leselia, 3 children, and 2 men to trade shells and fruits/vegetables. Invited to faikava[68] tonight.
Midnight – heavy rain.
6 June – Fri.
Cloudy; rain showers.
Correspondence. Laundry in dinghy.
7 June – Sat.
Organize sailmaking locker.
Windy, passing showers. Visit with Nick & Jan on “Yawarra” of Brisbane.
Gusty winds, rain throughout night.
8 June – Sun.
0530 Anchor dragging – Rhysling drifting toward Vava’u Peninsula. 110 feet chain & anchor up & down! Engine on, motor slowly upwind to remain in deep water until dawn.
0645 Yacht “Yawarra” on Ch. 16 to ask where we were. They put on lights to guide us to anchorage.
0700 Anchored in 15’ water. 160’ rode out!
1000 Dinghies bailed out and brought aboard
1200 All tanks and jugs topped off with fresh rainwater
9 June – Mon.
0720 Assist “Lonely” recover net tangled with anchor, chain & rocks.
0815 Drifting to shallows, no engine start. Towed by local boat to deeper water. Continue trying engine start.
0830 Nick of “Yawarra” alongside with dinghy to side tow to anchorage.
0845 Anchored in 25’ water.
0850 Successfully started engine using ether.
0900 Prepare to get u/w. No wind.
0925 Anchor up, u/w to Neiafu via Fanua Tapu Pass.
1015 Transit Fanua Tapu Pass.
1220 Anchored in 20’ water, Neiafu Harbor.
1235 Up anchor.
1330 Re-anchored, Neiafu due to W wind.
10 June – Tues.
Clean all elec. connections in eng. start system, seal with Lectra Shield. Re-install “new” table post carved by Taniella.
11 June – Wed.
Met Gary ____ who new Hank Snow and had sailed on Rhysling in Hawaii. Informed that Hank died of cancer in Arizona recently.
12 June – Thurs.
Stefan off to W. Germany via Nuku’alofa on the inter island Ferry. “Olovaha”
14 June – Sat.
Remove starter motor and test on 12V. Works fine. Re-install starter motor.
Feast at Mototo’s
13 June – Fri.
Rain/drizzle. Prepare to get u/w. Eng. fails to start. Remain in Neiafu. Re-tune rig – slack shrouds &forestay.
16 June – Mon.
Rig wind generator. “Amazing Grace” arrives. Visit Capt. Keith. Check solenoid switch, bypass to try starter. Still hardly turns over, but causes rapid drain on battery. Jump house batteries to start battery to increase voltage with wind generator.
17 June – Tues.
Change oil – 1 hr. to pump out old lube oil. Change oil filter. add 4.5 qtr. fresh 10-40 oil
Neil from “Lady Oz” aboard to help trouble-shoot engine start problem. Bypass all switches with battery direct to start motor. Little turnover; large battery drain. Check motor for ease of turnover. Can be turned over by hand. Observe movement of valves. Check reliability of start battery by jumping to 3 house batts. All okay. Remove start motor to re-check. Seems okay on 12V. Trevor of “Amazing Grace” aboard to check. Possible bad winding (short) in start motor. Must check. Rig wind generator to charge start battery. Must use diode. Should be on line by tomorrow.
18 June – Wed.
Wind generator rigged to charge start battery. Christopher of “Rambler” aboard to check started problem. Agrees must be start motor.
Ashore to check on possible replacement starters. Met Don of “Vava’u Equipment”. Will be able to send start motor with his wife to Nuku’alofa for check and rewind at reputable shop. Matoto’s son, David, back aboard with me to help pack motor for trip south. Wx report shows low heading our way.
Heavy rain in late p.m. & evening. Winds E, shifting around to W. Decreasing in evening.
19 June – Thurs.
Take start motor to Don at his shop with letter and P$50.00 deposit. Visit David & Mary & Albert.
1300 Winds shifting to NW and increasing to 16-20 with 25+ gusts. Secure awning, rig reefed mizzen riding sail to prevent sailing on anchor. Secure wind generator. Rig #2 jib. Ready to sail if anchor should drag. All appears secure, however.
1430 Wind moderating & continuing to back to WNW.
20 June – Fri.
Flat calm in a.m. with slight, occasional breeze from S. General errands along with Trevor from “Amazing Grace”.
Fri. evening to hotel dance with “Amazing Grace” crew, met up with Tony, Vanessa of “Lady Oz”.
21 June – Sat.
Shopping.
1045 Prepare to get u/w
1100 Anchor up
1105 All sail up, u/w from Neiafu Harbor. Lg. jib, main, mizzen. Light breeze from E.
1140 Pass Neiafu entrance buoys
1515 Anchored in 35’ water, Lisa Beach.
1715 Invited to Isea’s feast as a guest.
To church with Matoto. After church “lunch” with Moana’s family. Quite a feast! Magic show.
In afternoon Moana, Sione Ofa, Lutimi, visit “Rhysling”. Later joined by Moana’s brothers, then by Fuavai, Flag & Tonga. All playing pocket video games. With food from Matoto’s, Moana’s, & Fuavai we enjoy a mini-feast in Rhysling’s cockpit. All ashore at dusk. A very pleasant Sunday visiting with all my Tongan friends!
23 June – Mon.
General boat cleanup. Photo session of “new” interior. Fashion new boathook of bronze & attach to broken end of old handle. Fuavai aboard to visit and help. Check & grease all sheet & halyard winches. Replace broken ratchet spring in port jib halyard winch.
24 June – Tues.
Re-build galley foot pump & re-install… Still leaks. Will re-build spare. Fuavai aboard to help. Up mast 3 times to repair & re-install stbd. spreader light. Moana, Sione Ofa, Wave, Moutavi aboard to make Tonga tattoo. All ashore at dusk for faikava at Panovi’s with Tina of Hawaii and Noma of Switzerland.
25 June – Wed.
Check & re-build galley foot pump (1 new diaphragm). Re-install. Still leaks but not as bad as other one. Replace wheel drum line for Aries. Fuavai aboard to help. Not feeling too good. Aches, pains, sore throat. Took temp: 100ºF. Go to Pangai to tell Matoto I can’t go to dinner & faikava as invited. Return to Rhysling to rest, drink lime juice, take vitamin C.
1700 Surprise visit by Sione (Matoto’s son) & Moana’s brother to bring 2 loaves of fresh bread in canoe. Short visit, then continued rest.
26 June – Thurs.
0800 Fever broken last night; feeling somewhat better, but weak & sore throat.
Fuavai visits with fresh tomatoes, gifts of Tapa cloth & turtle shell. Helps me re-fashion chain pawls for windlass/bow roller. To Neiafu with Moana’s father, Helala. Shopping, errands. Return with Helala to see Rhysling. Early to bed, still feel ill (temp 99ºF).
Check on start motor: Still in Nuku’alofa in shop.
27 June – Fri.
Better today. To Pangai then Neiafu with Helala. Immigration to extend visa 1 month. Back to Pangai to learn coconut leaf basket making from Matoto & Eleanor. Invited to dinner with Matoto’s family tonite; then faikava.
28 June – Sat.
Sort throat gone; much better today. Faikava last night ‘til 0030!
1100 Windshift to N. Possible approach of convergence trough from W. Kedge out with Danforth and re-anchor with plough. 150’ out in 40’ water. Rhysling in 30’. Upward sloping sand on lee shore.
Prepare for possible wind & rain from N to NW. Rig wind generator.
Dinner & faikava with “Lady Oz” family at Tilly’s house. Heavy rain in evening.
29 June – Sun.
Continued wind from north, occasional passing showers. Finer weather. #1 battery bank discharged, not taking charge from wind generator.
30 June – Mon.
0730 Andy from “Jakaranda” over in dinghy to take me along on trip to Taunga Is. Calm.
All day spent at Taunga with people from Pangai, selling handicrafts to cruise ship passengers – (“Fairstar”) – about 1,000 people.
North wind in afternoon. Return to Lisa Beach at dusk.
Heavy rain & some wind from N due to low passing S of Tonga. Also 2 cold fronts moving past.
1 July – Tues.
Overcast, winds from NNW 8-14, occasional showers. Continue charging batteries with wind generator. Complex low S of Tonga nearly stationary. Pressure falling. Winds shifting to WNW/W.
2 July – Wed.
Winds continuing from N. Clearing. Pressure rising.
1530 Shift to [a] place further out in anchorage with help of Sandy & Andy & Larry (tow Rhysling with dinghy and reset anchor in 45’ water; 200’ out.
Dinner aboard “Hallux” with Larry & Patty, & Sandy & Andy from “Jakaranda”. Movie aboard “Jakaranda”
3 July – Thurs.
Into Neiafu to check on start motor… Olovaha not in due to problems in Hapa’ai Group (aground). Due in at 1900 tonite. Will get motor, hopefully, Sat. due to Fri. holiday.
4 July – Fri.
1030 Moana, Salesi, David, Sione, Fakatava, Lisiate, Lisiate, Vaha, Henry aboard for picnic sail to Taunga.
1100 Anchor up, #2 jib, main & mizzen, u/w from Lisa Bch. to Taunga. Tune rig under load.
1215 Anchored in 40’ water, NNE side of Taunga Is. Everyone ashore for big picnic day (King’s b-day).
1645 Anchor up, u/w for #2 jib & mizzen to Lisa Beach. Same “crew” aboard.
1750 Anchored in 40’ water, Lisa Beach. All ashore after a fun day.
5 July – Sat.
0730 To Neiafu to check on start motor…
Did not arrive on Olovaha. Don will call Nuku’alofa to find out why & try to get it sent up via air.
General cleanup on Rhysling.
Larry & Patty from “Hallux” aboard to check wx kit & give pointers on wind generator. Pin turnbuckles[69].
Sandy & Andy aboard to help “tune” sewing machine.
6 July – Sun.
Larry of “Hallux” aboard all day to help tear apart wind generator motor & replace bearings. Dinner aboard “Hallux”.
7 July – Mon.
To Neiafu to check on eng. start motor. Still no contact with agent in Nuku’alofa.
8 July – Tues.
To Neiafu. Still no motor. Try calling Kauai at comm. sta. to tell Iko of delay. Long wait, no answer.
9 July – Wed.
Finish wiring rebuilt wind generator. To Pangai to check on start motor – nothing.
10 July – Thurs.
No word on motor, wrong motor sent to Don at Vava’u Equip. (for hotel).
11 July – Fri.
Telegram received from Nuku’alofa saying motor cannot be repaired due to “damaged casing”.
12 July – Sat.
To Neiafu to ask Don status on getting motor returned. Arrange with Christopher of “Rambler” for possible delivery of motor to Suva late July. Last feast at Ano Beach with Matoto.
13 July – Sun.
To church in Pangai with Matoto & Heilala’s families. Noon meal at Heilala & Nancy’s house. Faikava with Matoto & Sioni (Fuavai’s brother). Gifts from both families. Small repairs on Rhysling. “Rambler” alongside for “O” rings.
14 July – Mon.
To Neiafu to check on motor. Arrangement made for “Rambler” to bring motor to Suva at end of July. Clear Customs and Immigration.
Check battery water, shift fuel.
Misc. shopping. Farewells to Mary & David. Moana, David & Lisiati aboard in p.m. to help begin preparing to get u/w. Splice trolling generator line & rig generator. Dinner aboard, then to Pangai for last faikava.
15 July – Tues.
Make all preparations to get u/w. Moana aboard to help. To Neiafu for one last check on motor. Don will have it shipped via the Olovaha. To Pangai for farewells to Matoto and Helala’s families. Continue with preparations for departure. Caulk around main hatch & combing.
16 July – Wed.
Prepare to get u/w. Rig Aries, seal hatches, stow gear, etc.
0900 Moana & David aboard to help.
1115 Salesi & Lisiati aboard to bring food & Hope & to help.
1445 All secure. Begin weighing anchor.
1500 Anchor up. Rain, no wind. Drift toward Hosia’s Beach.
1530 Moana, David & Sioni Ofa ashore (swimming). u/w from Pangaimotu. Rain, light breeze from S. Up main, mizzen & working jib.
1630 Tack out of Taunga.
1730 Wind increase, from SSW. Double reef main, single reef mizzen in lee of Ovaka Is.
1800 o/c 240ºM, pt. of departure NW pt. of Ovaka. Rig trolling generator. Light off SatNav.
1900 Wind shift – o/c 255ºM. Winds abating to 18-24. Heavy rain, lightening [lightening bolts].
2058 Satfix: 18º 45.4S – 174º 19.6W
17 July – Thurs.
0115 Late Is. abeam portside. Calm in lee. o/c 270ºM, 1-2 kts.
0700 Wind drop, confused seas. Possible shift to SE.
0800 Change to Maui jib, down mizzen. Light breeze from SSE. o/c 225ºM.
0930 Wind shift to W! Passing showers. Very light breeze.
1030 Calm. Fix by bearings to Late & Kao Is.
1110 Down jib. Drift mode.
1500 Light breeze from W. Up Maui jib.
1600 Wind increase – black horizon.
1630 Down Maui jib, change to working jib. Passing showers. Wind up to 30 kts.
1700 Wind dropping. Still from W. Possibly more squalls.
1745 Wind increase – 20-26 kts. LOP[70] to Late Is. o/c 180ºM.
1800 Onto port tack – o/c 260ºM. Rig trolling gen. S: 3-4 kts.
2004 Satfix: 18º 40.8S – 175º 13.3W
18 July – Fri.
0030 Onto stbd. tack. o/c 180ºM. 3 kts.
0600 Reef mizzen to alleviate rig vibration. Wind increase to 32-38kts. Excessive water thru spill pipe[71] due to successive waves over bow.
1348 Satfix: 19º 12.5S – 175º 38.4W. SMG = 4.5 kts.
1400 Squalls passing – winds to 50 kts.
1500 Continued passing squalls with accompanying strong winds.
19 July – Sat.
0600-
0650 Onto port tack – o/c 300ºM (it’s either this or due S!).
0800 Wind down to 16-20 kts. Shake out reef in mizzen.
0830-
1000 Put up full main, change to #2 jib. Winds 12-18 from SW.
1000 o/c 300ºM, S: 5.
0945 Trolling generator line caught on Aries rudder. Parted steering line block shackle. No other apparent damage.
1100 Lube steering & Aries.
1654 Satfix: 19º 56.3S – 176º 05.3W. SMG = 4.7
1800 Wind increase to 30 kts. Down main.
o/c 310ºM with #2 jib & mizzen.
20 July – Sun.
0100 Satfix: 19º 28.8S – 176º 34.2W. SMG = 4.0
0900 Wind increase to 20-25 kts. Backing to SSW!
1000 Wind down again, back to SW…
1030 Winds abating: Up single reefed main, onto stbd. tack. o/c 160ºM
1054 Satfix: 18º 58.1S – 177º 07.9W
1130 Down jib to repair sheet. Stbd. sheet nearly chafed thru at clew. Cut & end-for-end, then reset jib. Whip cut end.
1145 Back to port tack, wind down to 4-6 kts. Definite swell from S. Poss. wind shift…soon??
1300 Calms, light breeze up & down from SSW
1600 Onto stbd. tack. o/c 150ºM
1730 Back to port tack. o/c 270ºM
1900 Calm.
2300 Calm.
21 July – Mon.
0300 Calm.
0700 Calm. Absolutely no wind all night. Sails slatting, Rhysling drifting in circles. Swell is predominantly from S but no sign of any wind…
0650 Morning star fix: 19º 20.7S – 177º 29.9W
Position shows a 2 kt. drift rate. Pilot shows 10-20 MPD[72] current to the WSW in this area…
0815 Launched note in bottle to observe surface current…
0930 Continued calm. Swim call & bath time!
1030 LOP ¤[73] – shows us not as far SW as the star sight. Looks more reasonable (1 kt. current to SW)
1100 Breeze (6-8 kts.) from NW! up #2 jib, we’re finally sailing again. o/c 240ºM. Hurray!
1248 Wind abating, near calm.
1320 Wind increasing – 8-12 from NW. Rig trolling gen.
1255 Noon latitude: 19º 04S
1400 Winds from WNW, 12-16 kts.
1430 Satfix: 19º 06.9S – 177º 33.1W
1500 Single reef in mizzen. Wind backing. o/c 210ºM
2130 Passing squalls – wind backing to SW – 30 kts.
2200 Wind remaining from SW. o/c 160ºM. Seas very steep & choppy; somewhat confused.
2245 Vatoa Is. light sighted broad on stbd. bow. 215ºM
2230 Satfix: 19º 34.5S – 178º 02.2W. H/L (9º)
2330 Wind veering slightly
2345 Onto port tack; o/c 280ºM. S: 4.
22 July – Tues.
0130 Wind abating – 6-8 kts. – veering slightly…
0245 Wind drop – becalmed! Secure trolling generator.
0330 Slight breeze from WSW. Hand steer o/c 300ºM. 2 kts.
0415 Set self-steering. o/c 300ºM, 3.5 kts.
0630 Wind backing toward SSW – 6-8 kts. o/c 270ºM (thank God…)
0720 Satfix: 19º 24.2S – 178º 26.5W. SMG = 4.2!
0830 Shake out reef in main. o/c 270ºM
0835 Secure SatNav.
0940 Becalmed…AGAIN! Dead calm. Rhysling slatting and drifting in circles…
0955 Light breeze from SSW – u/w again o/c 270ºM.
1000 Becalmed again…
1050 Down main & jib due to excessive slatting.
Slice off tip of left little toe on dodger clip. Lots’a blood!
1230 Continued dead calm. Merciless slatting & rolling on SW swell.
1600 Continued calm, calm, calm. Swim call & bath earlier. Hot, but overcast sky. Possibly toward Fulanga & Ongea Ndriti Islands but still they are about 10 miles to the north.
1810 Satfix: 19º 19.7S – 178º 34.8W
1835 Sunset – green flash!
1900 Anchor light up. Still total calm. Ready for sleep……
0400 Still very calm. Current appears to be carrying us closer to Fulanga Is. Main sail up and hand steer in attempt to move clear of it. A breath of air can be felt from the S but don’t know if it will move us…
0430 Breath of air from SE at times must be moving us slightly as I can at least hold a “course”…
0630 Very slow progress – perhaps ¾ to 1 kt., but am holding course – 260ºM – and am moving. The breeze is from SE! So for the first time since leaving Tonga (7 days now) we’re actually sailing off the wind!
0645 Set mizzen drifter. Seems to have added a kt. to the speed! Passing rain drizzle; overcast.
0800 Fix by visual bearings shows we’ve moved 15 NM in past 24 hrs.
0925 Very black horizon to SW. Prepare for possible heavy showers. Wind? Now very light from SSW…
1000 Steady, but moderate, rain. Slight wind increase (2-4 kts?) o/c 260ºM
1130 Wind shift to ESE. Intermittent rain (only when not wearing raincoat!)
1245 CALM! Drizzle.
1330 Haleluja! Wx shows winds should continue generally from the SE, but not strong until a few days from now!
1345 Now, behold – what little wind there is comes from the NE! Is this the Fijian Devil’s ▲?
1410 Calm – again… Secure mizzen drifter to prevent chafe.
1420 Puffs from SE… let’s hope…
1530 Breeze from ENE. Aries won’t steer with only jib dead downwind.
1600 Set mizzen drifter. Aries still not sensitive enough as our speed matches the apparent wind speed. Handsteer. Drizzle.
1650 Down mizzen drifter. Set jib only and tie helm. Hold dead downwind…simple but effective, although some chafe on jib against weather shrouds &forestay. o/c 260ºM. Continued drizzle. Damp all day – feet blue, cold & shriveled like prunes. Ah, the joys of sailing…
1830 Nearly calm again (what else is new?!!). Probably slowly drifting W, however. Rain.
1856 Satfix: 19º 10.2S – 179º 12.8W. Rain.
1930 Breeze shifted to ESE. Constant rain. Shift jib to stbd. side to try holding 260ºM
1945 Wind veering to S. Increasing 26-28 kts. Rig trolling gen. Adjust course to Aries. Constant rain. 260ºM.
2000 Raining like crazy with accompanying wind. Blacker than black. Does the moon exist?
2055 Winds abating a bit, 18-22 kts., but seas lumpy & on beam. Still constant rain.
2230 Winds down to 10-14 kts., backed to SSE, o/c 260ºM.
2350 Up single reefed main. o/c 260ºM
24 July, Thurs.
0010 Totoya Is. in sight 2 pts. on stbd. bow. Approx. 20 NM distant. Rain easing to drizzle; overcast but some moonlight (thank goodness!)
0120 Totoya Is. light in sight
0226 Satfix: 19º 07.3W – 179º 42.9W. SMG = 4.7
0300 Dark clouds to S and WSW, slight wind increase but no shift. No apparent line squalls, hopefully…
0310 Well, it was a blaster (35 kts.), but short lived. Totally obscured Totoya Is. for a while. Then after it passed the wind veered putting us onto a close haul to try to clear the point.
0320 Wind shifting back to SSE. Another black mother is passing astern of us. Don’t know if we’ll feel any of it…
Matuku Is. sighted ahead, but also more rain clouds.
0345 Totoya Is. abeam; o/c 270ºM. Wind back to SSE now and 16-20 kts. We’re off the wind a bit now and really flying! Probably 5.5 to 6 kts. The trolling generator is pumping in the amps (much needed by all batteries)[74], and the rain squalls are behind us. The clouds even seem to be breaking up! Finally some joyous sailing (what it was supposed to be from Tonga to Fiji…)
0420 Wind increasing to 18-25 kts.
0430 Totoya Is. light abeam stbd. o/c 275ºM.
0508 Satfix: 19º 03.2S – 179º 59.6W. SMG = 6.1
0510 Transit International Dateline (180th meridian).
0540 Vessel sighted 2 pts. on stbd. bow. Similar course – probably to Suva – we are overtaking. Will monitor Ch. 16 as we approach…
0615 Vessel altered course to pass ahead & toward SW.
0738 Satfix: 18º 57.6S – 179º 44.4E. SMG = 6.5. ETA Suva Reef = 2100.
0745 Sailing vessel approaching from astern on horizon appears to be on same course. Rather large & seems to be gaining on us.
0900 Tie 2nd reef in main due to increasing winds & wx helm. o/c 285ºM.
0920 Tried calling on Ch. 16 VHF, no reply.
1000-
0900 Retard clocks 1 hr. to conform with –12 time zone.
1045 Pat Jennings of yacht “Cuppatea”, N.Z., with husband Don & friend Neil on VHF for chat as they overtake us. Saw them earlier in Vava’u. 39’ LOA cutter. Will also wait outside Suva to enter tomorrow a.m. Will take photos as they pass.
1130 “Cuppatea” abeam stbd. side approx. 1 mile.
1552 Satfix: 18º 32.2S – 178º 48.7E
1600 Secure Maui jib & main. Rig working jib. Check trolling propeller & rig. o/c 285ºM with working jib only to reduce speed. Now approx. 4 kts. Rolling in troughs but holding course. Winds 25-30 kts. Some breaking seas.
Main island of Viti Levu in sight ahead…can this really be true?!…
2230 “Heave to” o/c 050ºM – approx. 8M SE of Suva.
2354 Satfix: 18º 17.3S – 178º 28.6E
25 July – Fri.
0200 Onto port tack – hove-to with working jib backed. o/c 260º
0220 Secure trolling generator
0340 SatNav secured.
0400 General cleanup.
0615 Dawn – prepare to get u/w to Suva Harbor channel.
0630 u/w with doub. reefed main & working jib.
0800 Enter Suva Harbor – all appropriate flags up.
0830 Down main. Sail thru R.S.Y.C. anchorage
0845 Customs launch (?) indicates spot to anchor.
0900 Anchor appears to be dragging. Getting close to tug & barge. Up anchor, re-anchor.
0920 Anchored in 50’ water awaiting clearance.
1030 Cleared by Health – Pratique granted.
1050 Advised by Harbor Control to use dinghy to bring out Customs officials.
1055 Richard of “Vagabundo” reports Cisco is somewhere(?)
1105 u/w to wharf. Under sail – working jib & mizzen.
1115 Moored at Queens Wharf.
1215-
1445 Clear Customs, Agriculture, Immigration.
1530 Anchor off Royal Suva Yacht Club. 10’ water.
1730 Cisco aboard…at last!
26 July – Sat.
1230 Shift within anchorage to less crowded spot by kedging.
1300 Anchored in 10’ water.
28 July – Mon.
Around town with Dinesh to locate possible start motors. Several found, but must await old one as sample. Also found spare bearings for wind generator.
29 July – Tues.
Dismantle wind generator. Outer magnet broken. Glue & replace. Clean all parts. Big b-day party for Cisco at Dinesh’s house.
30 July – Wed.
Dinesh, Anthony & “Bouncer”, [&] Taj aboard to help replace eng. oil seal. Rear end of xmission removed.
31 July – Thurs.
With Dinesh, Anthony & Taj to get alum. tubing for outboard mount. Also to have spare shaft machined for trolling generator. Several trips to machine shop to dismantle xmission bearings to replace oil sea. Proper seal located after finding spare from N.Z. was wrong size. Start motor arrives from Tonga, (at last!), aboard “Troost” with Gordon and Andrea.
1 Aug. – Fri.
Fashion outboard bracket for Zodiac dinghy. Evening visit by Dinesh, Rakesh, Anthony, Taj, Benjamin, Anil, Deo, Kamlesh; via police launch. Big feed by Cisco with food they brought. Several stay overnight aboard Rhysling.
2 Aug. – Sat.
General cleanup on Rhysling.
To Nousori in evening for pre-wedding ceremony.
3 Aug. – Sun.
To Pacific Harbor Beach with Deo, Dinesh & family for picnic.
4 Aug. – Mon.
Help Pitaji with building “little house” in back yard.
5 Aug. – Tues.
with Deo to locate replacement armature for start motor. Also to buy new outboard for dinghy.
6 Aug. – Wed.
New outboard on Zodiac.
7 Aug. – Thurs.
Rebuilt start motor installed. Start battery too low to fire engine. p.m. – Deo & 2 Pitajis aboard ‘til 2330 with extra batteries to start engine.
8 Aug. – Fri.
Continued probs. with engine start.
9 Aug. – Sat.
Shore charge start battery.
1620 Engine on after shore charge. Prepared to get u/w.
1645 u/w from R.S.Y.C. with Dinesh, Rakesh, Siran, Pitaji, Taj, & Dinesh.
1800 Anchored in 10’ water, Lathala Harbor. All ashore. General cleanup aboard Rhysling.
2200 Friends aboard for the night.
10 Aug. – Sun.
0700 All ashore.
0800 Deo & Siran aboard to prepare to get u/w
0810 Engine on.
0850 u/w to Lathala jetty.
0855 Docked at jetty to take on pax & goods for picnic. 7 ½’ water at high tide.
0915 u/w under power to Nukulau Is. via Ndaveta Nukumbutho and Ndaveta Nukulau passes. 37 pax on board, plus 2.
1035 Docked at Nukulau Is. jetty. All women & children ashore to prepare picnic.
1100 u/w with 18 people for sailing and fishing.
1130 Up mizzen and Maui jib, engine secured.
1230 Engine on; down sails.
1245 Anchored in 40’ water at Belcher Rocks for fishing.
1300 Anchor dragging, current opposing wind carrying Rhysling toward reef. Eng. on; up anchor.
1310 Re-anchored in 30’ water with engine running.
1330 Anchor dragging; then caught. Swell from SW building. Wind from NE. Attempts to retrieve anchor show it’s well snagged. Chain jumping off wildcat, riding line parted. Dive to try freeing anchor.
1405 Anchor up; u/w to Nukulau. Possible damage to windlass…
1515 Anchored at Nukulau after un-jamming windlass release wheel.
1615 All persons aboard.
1620 u/w under power to Lathala Harbor. Wind shift to SW.
1720 Anchored in 9’ water, Lathala Bay. All pax ashore by dinghy.
11 Aug. – Mon.
0900 Bleed & test engine. Fuel leak discovered at return line connection on secondary filter.
12 Aug. – Tues.
0815 Eng. test after replacing washers on fuel line connection.
0840 Anchor up – u/w to R.S.Y.C.
1000 Anchored at R.S.Y.C.
1130 Propane tanks to Fiji Gas for fillup.
1400 Replace propane pressure regulator and gauge.
1600 “New’ tank installed and all joints checked for leaks.
1700 Remove bent safety latch from windlass for straightening.
13 Aug. – Wed.
Remove injection pump. Tighten bolts, replace O-rings on shutoff & throttle pinions. Re-install, replace olive on return line at secondary fuel filter. Bleed engine. Try start. Battery low. Rig wind generator. Winds 20-30 from SSW.
Remove bent windlass catch. Let out 25’ more scope (75’ out in 10’ water).
14 Aug. – Thurs.
0800 Check all fuel line joints, bleed lines. Start eng. with ether. Check for leaks. Run engine to charge batteries & check leaks.
1500 Check press. H2O system, clean filters, chk. valve, etc.
Reset pressure switch to cut off at 23#.
1615 Test start engine. Started immediately so air leak probably solved.
15 Aug. – Fri.
1100 Test start engine. Air in system again! Remove & replace secondary fuel filter & gasket, bleed & start engine. Run for 30 min.
16 Aug – Sat.
Replace straightened safety latch on windlass.
Start & run engine 20 minutes.
To Nausori in p.m. with Dinesh & friends.
18 Aug. – Mon.
Remove all house batteries & take ashore for full charge & check. All cells okay except fwd-most in Diehard box. Wind generator vane vibrated loose & jammed with propeller. Must repair both.
19 Aug. – Tues.
Replace & rewire batteries (clean terminals). Cisco returns to Kauai.
20 Aug. – Wed.
Install tow rings on Zodiac.
Check & tighten all connections between fuel tank and filters. Teflon tape on tank connection. Bleed & test run engine.
21 Aug. – Thurs.
Anti-chafe on outboard mount for Zodiac. Re-inflate Zodiac. Clean bilge, clean press. water filter. Eng. test & batt. chg. Still hard starting.
Splice new towing/safety lines on Zodiac.
22 Aug. – Fri.
New wind generator tubing (SS) from Deo. “Welfare” party with Dinesh, Bobby, Anthony, Benjamin, Taj, & guests, plus Deo & police for dinner.
23 Aug. – Sat.
Pitajes & Aben (diesel mech.) aboard to check engine start problem. Remove & check fuel lift pump. Replace & check primary filter (fuel had returned to tank from filter). Start & run engine for 1 hr.
24 Aug. – Sun.
Old friend, Niko, aboard for visit. Rain & shifting winds. Zodiac on board. Run engine 30 min. to charge batts. Still hard starting.
25 Aug. – Mon.
Extend Fiji visa 1 month.
p.m. – Deo family, Pitaje #2 & Aben aboard for spaghetti dinner. Fit rebuilt fuel lift pump. Bleed & start eng. (ether). Run 45 min.
26 Aug. – Tues.
Try eng. start – no go.
Remove atomisers[75]. Degrease & clean around eng. top. (#’s 1 & 4 heavy coat of oil, #3 light, #2 dry). Atomisers to Aben’s shop for adjustment.
27 Aug. – Wed.
Clean tool area & bilge of kerosene from leaking tank. Re-seat spigot on tank. Install fill spigot on outboard gas can.
p.m. – Aben & Deo aboard to re-install atomisers. Bleed & start eng. (ether). Run for 1 hr.
28 Aug. – Thurs.
Free frozen hanks on “new” working jib. Replace 2.
0925 Start engine. Much easier starting! 5-6 seconds. Run for 15 min.
29 Aug. – Fri.
Scrub dinghy bottom (Puddle Shuttle) and stow on deck with Koro’s help.
Return “new” outboard to shop to check fuel leak. Wash & refill fuel container for gas (dirty fuel). Start & run engine (difficult start). p.m. – try start again. Air lock. Air leak somewhere near lift pump.
30 Aug. – Sat.
General cleanup.
Dinner with the Korovalu family.
Rain
31 Aug. – Sun.
Rain – sew cover for outboard. Repair nat[ional]. ensigns. Gen. sewing patchwork. Remove & check fuel lift pump. Crack found in housing. Clean bilge.
1 Sept. – Mon.
General errands. Locate poss. replacement f[uel] lift pump at West Wreckers, Lautoka. Should be at Lami Branch tomorrow. Revise supply inventory (canned goods).
2 Sept. – Tues.
Wrong pump sent to Lami. Correct one should come tomorrow.
3 Sept. – Wed.
Replacement pump arrived. To Aben’s with Deo after re-tapping pipe threads by Siran. Aben will fit valve cover to old pump. Order non-return valve for fuel line. Check for poss. T-fitting on primary filter.
p.m. – Deo, Aben & Anil aboard to re-install rebuilt fuel lift pump. Air getting into #4 atomizer – bad seal. Aben to take to shop for lapping & new washer.
4 Sept. – Thurs.
Deo brings atomiser for re-installation after Aben replaced bottom portion for proper seal (old one could not be lapped). Re-install, bleed & run to check for leaks, ok. Install non-return valve in-line on fuel line between tank and primary filter. Change oil to replace with non-detergent, BP 20-40. New gasket had to be put in oil filter cart[ridge] holder to stop leak (after second try!). Clean bilge of oil & diesel (twice!!).
5 Sept – Fri.
0610 Eng. on; prepare to get u/w (late start – 30 sec.)
0630 u/w to R.S.Y.C. dock. Some problem with anchor windlass…
0635 Moored R.S.Y.C. fuel dock to take on H2O.
0725 u/w to Anchorage. All tanks topped off.
0730 Anchored in 15’ water.
Remove fuel injector pump & take to Aben for testing & poss. adjustment. Possibly no timed properly when last re-installed.
p.m. – “Party” with Anil, Koro & 2 girls.
6 Sept. – Sat.
Organize dry goods locker. Change filter in press. water system. Check bolts, gears, etc., on windlass. Intermittent rain.
Remove clutch cone from windlass (pin sheared) to re-drill holes & replace pin.
Inventory and list serial #’s of all electronics, cameras, etc. for future customs declarations (i.e., New Caledonia).
7 Sept. – Sun.
To Aben’s house for visit with Deo, Pitaji #2 & family – dinner, etc.
8 Sept. – Mon.
With Deo to look for replacement spring pin for windlass. Siran will machine one at his shop. Magic for Aben & workers at carpenter’s motors shop.
p.m. 1700-2215. Aben, Deo & Pitaji #2 aboard to re-install and time fuel injector pump. Remove pulleys to check eng. timing marks on gears. Re-install water pump & belts to alternator. Bleed & start after jumping house batts. parallel to start batt. which was low. Run eng. 2 hrs. to charge batts.
9 Sept. – Tues.
Clean bilge.
0715 Deo aboard for eng. test.
0735 Still late start (35-40 sec.). Run eng. 30 min.
Starts easily after warmed up.
Glue clutch cone for windlass.
p.m. B-day party for Krishna at Deo’s
10 Sept. – Wed.
Remove eng. start battery and take ashore for charging. Visit Aben & other diesel mechanics with Deo to discuss late start problem.
Re-install clutch/brake cone with new pin on anchor windlass. Fashion & install chain striper on windlass.
p.m. Pitaji #2, Aben, Deo & Ramdeo aboard to check eng. Started in 12 sec! Remove valve cover & check tappet clearances. All okay.
11 Sept. – Thurs.
Replace valve cover gasket.
p.m. – Aben & Pitaji #2 aboard to retard fuel pump timing – approx. 1/8”. Test start and run engine. Starts in about 8-10 secs.
12 Sept. – Fri.
1015 Start engine (2 secs!), but runs with erratic speeds as if throttle control is changing…
1440-
1525 Misc. eng. starts to see if throttle control is erratic. All starts in 1-2 secs. Throttle seems ok. At last, at last the problem seems to be solved…
13 Sept. – Sat.
To Nadi & return (early a.m. to late p.m.) with Pitaji #2 to pick up lorry.
14 Sept. – Sun.
0725 Eng. start test – 3 secs! Charge batts.
Weekend with Pitaji #2 at house mechanics farewell party.
15 Sept. – Mon.
1100 Clear Customs & Immigration, provision.
1430 Engine on, up anchor.
1445 u/w to B of I anch.
1525 Anchored in 30’ water at Mosquito Is. Make all preparations for sea.
16 Sept. – Tues.
0600 Continue preparing for sea.
0720 Engine on; up anchor.
0740 u/w to Sulphur Passage, Mbewgga.
0800 Transit Levu Passage, o/c 210ºM under power (4.5 kts.). No wind.
0845 Light breeze from ENE. Secure engine; set Maui jib & mizzen drifter.
1408 Transit Sulphur Passage; Jibe; o/c 275ºM.
1445 Wind drop to 2 kts.
1450 Engine on. Down mizzen drifter.
1655 Anchored in 30’ water, Yanutha Is.
1700 Engine secured.
17 Sept. – Wed.
Rain all last night and this morning. Variable light breezes from N & NW.
Fashion cartridge holder for Very pistol[76]. Put together “Survival bag”.
Plot courses for New Caledonia.
1500 Winds continuing from WSW so will await shift to SE. Cloudy, no rain.
1530-
1630 Scrub around thru-hulls, prop, and keel. Only a few barnacles in these areas, otherwise bottom remains clean except for harbor scum.
Weather clearing, but winds out of SW. Strange current – opposing wind in anchorage from 1330 to 1600.
18 Sept. – Thurs.
0730 Engine on. Prepare to get u/w (light breeze from E). SatNav on.
0745 Windlass clutch/brake slipping. Clean & degrease inside of wildcat, sand clutch surface, add washer to locking screw.
0830 Anchor up, u/w from Yanutha Is. o/c 195ºM to break in Yanutha Reefs. Light breeze from ESE. Engine running with erratic throttle at idle to 1000 RPM. OK at 1500. Possibly still out of time a bit…
0900 Transit Yanutha Reefs. POD. o/c 250ºM, 4.5 kts.
No wind, under power.
1130 Breeze from SSW. Off engine. Up Maui jib, mizzen & main. o/c 250ºM.
1400 Vatulele Is. light abeam portside. o/c 240ºM.
Point of Departure abeam Vatulele light (2.6 NM distant). o/c 240º - 250ºM. Variable light breeze from SSW (possibly affected by the island). SMG = approx 4 kts.
1900 Down mizzen & main. Set mizzen drifter; windshift to SE. o/c 230ºM
2148 Satfix: 18º 38.8S – 177º 13.4E. SMG = 2.3
19 Sept. – Fri.
0030 Calm. Drifting o/c 240ºM. 1 kt. (?).
0130 Continued calm. Headed o/c 270ºM. ½ kt.(?).
0600 Continued light breeze (almost calm). Seems to have shifted to ESE. SMG through the night = 2.1 kts. Lone booby succeeds on landing on mizzen sheets.
0730 Continued light breeze from ENE. Down mizzen drifter. Prepare to run engine, charge batts., motor.
0745 u/w under power. o/c 235ºM. 4.5 kts.
1045 Secure engine. Light breeze from NW.
1100 DR: 19º 01.7S – 176º 46.5E
Swim call (calm, hot, & sunny)!
1130 Calm. Rock & roll drift mode – all sails down.
1208 Satfix: 19º 09.3S – 176º 46.0E (8º).
1500 Continued calm. Check “set” of rebuilt working jib. Must add 12” pendant to clear foot from pulpit. Otherwise sheet leads should be same as #2 jib.
2340 At last… A breeze from the NE. Up Maui jib & mizzen drifter. o/c 235ºM
20 Sept. – Sat.
0128 Satfix: 19º 05.0S – 176º 41.5E
0315 Wind dropping… oh well. It was nice while it lasted…
0430 Wind down to 2-4 kts; shifted to NW.
0550 Wind shifting to WNW, harden sheets to maintain course of 235ºM (was on 190ºM for past 2 hrs?)
0604 Satfix: 19º 18.7S – 176º 32.8E. 564 NM to Havannah Pass.
0645 Wind increasing from NNW – 8-12 kts. Down mizzen drifter, up mizzen. o/c 240ºM with Maui jib & mizzen. Dark sky to west so will see what develops before increasing sail area. Good, comfortable sailing now at 4–4.5 kts.
0800 Wind increasing to 18-22 kts.
1500 Up double reefed main to try pointing higher (wind backing to NW – some shifts & gust in surrounding passing showers). Holding o/c 230ºM
1636 Satfix: 19º 44.1S – 175º 34.9E
1800 Constant, light rain. Wind shift to WNW. Best course: 220-230ºM. 1720 wx shows us crossing a weak convergence zone. Wind will probably continue to back & possibly increase as we near N part of southern, but east-moving low.
2000 o/c 180ºM. Yes, wind definitely backing (now WSW).
2300 Wind drop to 4-8 kts; veering to WNW again. o/c 220ºM.
21 Sept – Sun.
0108 Satfix: 20º 09.9S – 175º 31.2E
0130 Rain again – light showers. o/c 210ºM.
0200 Down Maui jib. Rig “new” working jib. Change over pendant from M[aui] jib, re-lead sheets after end-for-ending ort sheet due to chafe. Also excessive chafe on halyard. Mist end-for-end in Noumea (if it lasts that long!). Adjust sheet block cars for proper leads (2nd notch from forward-most end; led inside stanchions & lifelines).
Now we’re crawling along at perhaps 3 kts., but the best we can make is 200ºM. Anticipate continued backing winds & increasing strength due to low passing south of us…
0720 Wind increase to 25-30 with approaching squalls.
Shift toward S onto port tack.
0740 Wind decreasing and back to WSW (the course we want).
0745 Lube steering gear and Aries.
0800 Yes, the wind seems to be gradually backing toward the south! Let’s hope it keeps it up!
0900 Start engine to charge batts. (no load). Late start! About 45 sec. to start. Must be still out of time…
1000 Secure engine. Down working jib & up Maui jib. Add chafe tape to halyard. 2 shackles at tack to bring sail lower & change chafe spot. o/c 255ºM, 4 kts. Skies clearing – winds 12-16.
1310 Satfix: 20º 20.8S – 175º 13.2E. SMG = 3.3
1315 Shake out reef; up full main. Slight speed increase but can’t point any higher. o/c 270ºM
2100 Wind seems trying to back to S. (Hope, hope, hope…)
22 Sept. – Mon.
0042 Satfix: 20º 06.4S – 174º 18.0E
0540 Winds dropping to near calm.
0610 Calm. Motor & charge batts. o/c 238ºM, 4.5 kts. Late start on engine – 60 sec! Slight breeze from SE. Will motorsail to charge batts.
0830 Engine secured. o/c 240ºM. Hand steer
to point as high as poss. Aries doing okay. Breeze from SSW, 8-10.
0845 Winds dropping to 4-6 kts, but Aries holding us on course 240ºM. Press. way up to 1017mb. so we must be in another high, although it wasn’t mentioned on yesterday’s wx.
0900 Nearly calm. Bare steerageway.
1200 WX shows triple high moving toward us from W. Winds will be light but should gradually turn in our favor, if it moves ESE. At least the wx will be very settled. This is the nicest wx map I’ve seen since beginning to copy these things!
1244 Satfix: 20º 11.0S – 173º 26.5E
1330 Calm. Drift mode.
1615 The wind seems to have at last actually backed to the south. Finally able to fall off a bit (close-hauled, still, but not to the max).
2224 Satfix: 20º 19.8S – 172º 57.7E
2350 Calm; drift mode.
23 Sept. – Tues. *Vernal Equinox*
0000 Calm
0100 Calm
0200 Calm
0300 Calm
0500 Continued glassy calm.
0545 Eng. checks
0600 u/w with engine to charge batts. & motor thru calm.
o/c 235ºM, 4.5 kts.
0930 Engine secured; light breeze from S.
0938 Satfix: 20º 26.3S – 172º 33.7E. Halfway point!
1350 Down mizzen to ease slight wx helm. Gentle breeze from SSE pushing us at 4-4.5 kts. Sunny & warm… delightful sailing!
1450 Lube steering & Aries.
1500 Vessel sighted on horizon dead ahead. Poss. reciprocal course may have us pass close. Will monitor Ch. 16 as it nears.
1520 Vessel abeam, portside. Lg. container ship 600 ft(?). “Jeseph Southland”. Couldn’t make out home port or nationality. No response on Ch. 16…
1550 Down main; set mizzen drifter. Winds down to 2-4, backed to SE. Very light.
1630 Strange phenomenon just passed – like a mini-internal wave. Little wavelets in a long line approaching from SSW, opposing the SE wind. Band only about 100 yds. wide. Could it be some “residue” activity from that ship’s wake? But she passed an hour ago…
1720 Wx shows we should get increasing SE winds. But now they are very light. Should increase by tomorrow, I would guess…
1815 Dead calm. Sails hanging limply. Hardly a swell. Nice dinner, nice music, just enjoying this mid-Pacific “anchorage”.
1830 Down all sails. Glass calm. Drift mode.
1850 Test of newly modified Very pistol with red parachute flare… ok. Only lasts about 5-6 sec.
1842 Satfix: 20º 44.7S – 172º 14.2E
2345 Breeze from ESE with light rain.
2350 Up Maui jib. u/w o/c 235ºM
2355 Up mizzen drifter. Steady, light rain.
24 Sept. – Wed.
0000 Satfix: 20º 41.8S – 172º 14.5E
0215 Crazy wind shift to NW! Down mizzen drifter; jibe to continue course of 240ºM. Constant rain ‘til now.
0345 Set mizzen drifter – wind dying. If nothing else, to “dry the laundry”… it was a glob of soaked nylon after those rain showers. Sky clear now.
0430 Calm. At least the laundry is dry…
0600 Total, flat out glass calm.
0630 Engine on to charge batts. & motor thru calm. This is becoming an every day event at dawn! o/c 235ºM, 4.5 kts.
1000 Secure engine – breeze from SSE. Set Maui jib.
1015 Set mizzen drifter. Wind up to about 8 kts., slightly abaft port beam. Just enough to get drive out of this sail. Speed approx. 4 kts. Stubbed small left toe, possibly fractured. Beginning to swell & turn blue…
1204 Satfix: 20º 59.0S – 171º 41.5E
1600 Wind up to 18-20 kts. Down mizzen drifter. Since about 1030 the sailing has been truly wonderful. It’s held just abaft the beam & increased gradually thru the day. Rhysling has been bowling along at a good clip. Blue sky with puffy white cumulus completes the picture. This is how all the sailing from Tonga-Fiji-N.Cal[77] should have been. Had to take down the mizzen drifter as I don’t know how much the lightweight nylon can stand. It was a bit of a handful, but I managed it okay without dipping it. Now we’re running free with the Maui jib alone & the speed still looks fine – at least 5 kts. I’d guess, but will know for sure when a good sat. comes in.
Was planning on switching to the new log (Vol. II) at midnite, but with this long entry don’t know it I’ll make it. But I guess it’s more fitting to close this first volume on such a happy note as this utterly magnificent sailing.
When I glance at those first few pages, when Rhysling was the beginning of the end of a dream, when she was on her cradle at Kwaj. waiting to be resurrected and re-launched, all the hours of sweat and uncertainty (had I gone over my head with this venture?) and all the $, then getting her to N.Z., and more hours of sweat and more $,…
And now, here we are sailing free in a tradewind breeze, nearing a new country, new friends, adding more sea miles to our experience… And when I think of the places and people we’ve met so far…
Yes, it’s all been more than worth it!
1630 DR: 21º 06.2S – 171º 22.1E, enroute to Noumea, New Caledonia.
This log continues in Volume II…
[signed] Michael P. Bates
24 Sept. 1986
[On endpaper]
♪♪
Kii Pusi, Kii Pusi
Na’a ke’I fē aipe ahoni
Na’a ku àlu ki lunitoni
Ò ‘Ā Āhe kihei kuini[78]
[End of Volume I]
[1] “Rhysling” (rise’-ling) - A character in Robert A. Heinlein’s The Green Hills of Earth: Rhysling and the Adventures of the Entire Solar System
Vessel Information:
USCG Documentation number: 500835
Originally Launched: October 23, 1965
Gross tons: 19
Net tons: 16
Horsepower: 36
Registered Length: 38.4 feet
Registered Beam: 12.2 feet
Registered Draft: 7.9 feet
Length overall (LOA): 44’ 5”
Length at Waterline (LWL): 32’ 6”
Beam: 12’
Draft: 5’ 10”
Displacement (approx): 27,000 lbs.
[2] Martin Schaefer
[3] Monroe Wightman
[4] Stainless Steel
[5] Self-sealing grease fittings
[6] [sic] – I’ve left in Mike’s spelling of ‘coaming’, the raised sides which surround and protect the cockpit.
[7] Rails on the front of shelves and around countertops and tables to prevent things from sliding off when the boat rolls or heels while sailing
[8] Coast Guard
[9] Name of a transport vessel
[10] An atoll in the Marshall Islands
[11] Honolulu
[12] Fisheries Supply Company
[13] Brand of plow-style anchor
[14] Small, one burner stove used while sailing in heavy weather
[15] Simpson-Lawrence
[16] “Aries” brand wind-vane self-steering mechanism. Note that Mike used the spelling “Airies” throughout most of the logs, but later realized the correct spelling. I’ve corrected it in the text because Mike subsequently corrected me when I misspelled it.
[17] Inventor of the Aries
[18] Palo Alto
[19] Navigational computer used to reduce sextant sights
[20] Location on Kwajalein Atoll
[21] The pivots that keep the stove horizontal when the boat heels
[22] Richard Loser, friend
[23] Another brand of anchor
[24] A water-based caulking and sealant, usually applied over canvas or other cloth
[25] The generic term for an anchor line, whether it consists of rope, chain, or a combination
[26] Snacks
[27] Under Way
[28] On Course
[29] Dead Reckoning position (calculated from a previous known fix using course & speed)
[30] Windsurfer
[31] From Conway Reef, Fiji?
[32] #2 jib. Jibs usually numbered with #1 the largest.
[33] Position fix from SatNav receiver. Times recorded are uncharacteristically (for Mike) random, i.e., not on the hour, since they were received only occasionally (i.e., every 1-3 hours) when satellites were available.
[34] Motor Vessel
[35] Force 5 on the Beaufort Scale
[36] Nickname for ‘Genoa’, or large jib
[37] Speed Made Good
[38] Referral to the traditional ceremony used to ‘initiate’ crewmembers on their first time crossing the equator.
[39] Course Made Good
[40] The yellow “Q” signal or “Quarantine” flag used to indicate a newly arrived vessel requesting clearance
[41] Fishing vessel
[42] An electric generator, mounted on the stern of the boat, which uses a towed propeller on a cable to turn the shaft and create 12V electric power.
[43] Range and bearing (measured by Radar)
[44] Life Raft
[45] Secured = shut down
[46] East “by” South
[47] Daggerboard
[48] Passengers
[49] Numbers refer to notations on simplified charter-fleet charts of island group.
[50] Bay of Islands, New Zealand
[51] Height of Light; measured in degrees to estimate distance to an object of known height
[52] This entry not in Mike’s handwriting
[53] 600-Ton
[54] Brand-name of electronic instruments
[55] Fastnet: A brand of radio which receives coded weather (NAVTEX) messages
[56] Transmission
[57] Waterline
[58] Masthead
[59] Celestial navigation
[60] A known position used as a starting point for dead-reckoning navigation
[61] Local Mean Time
[62] SatNav unit, though working, has been turned off so that the voyage can be navigated solely by celestial sights.
[63] Entry not in Mike’s hand, presumably Stefan’s, who is German
[64] Weather helm; the tendency of the boat to turn into the wind
[65] Note no morning fix, cloudy weather forces entry of a DR position from previous fix modified by accumulated distance, course, and speed.
[66] Another entry in Stefan’s hand, thus the reversed order of latitude/longitude
[67] Glow of distant artificial lights in sky or reflected on cloud cover
[68] A Kava-drinking session/ceremony
[69] Cotter pins put into turnbuckles to prevent accidental loosening and separation
[70] Line of Position (taken with a hand-bearing compass)
[71] Opening in foredeck where anchor chain goes through deck to chain locker
[72] Miles per day
[73] Line of Position; in this case taken with a sextant sun sight
[74] Note that throughout this passage Rhysling has been without an engine due to the starter motor problem
[75] Note the ‘Kiwi’ spelling – reference is to diesel fuel injectors
[76] Very pistol is a device to fire emergency flares
[77] New Caledonia
[78] This poem (or song lyric) is written in Tongan, and translates:
“Pussy cat, pussy cat,
Where were you today?
I went to London,
To visit the Queen”
Thanks to Cisco Peru for obtaining the translation from a Tongan friend named Angela.