sv/Imagine's Trip To Hawaii 2005
Start of voyage.
Tuesday October 25th 2005.
Todays was the culmination of a frantic month of preparation
to get Imagine ready to do the big trip. Many friends stopped by this morning to see us off and
of course we did not leave at the appointed time!
Bob "aka 007" And The dynamic duo Eric & Dan.
But in the end we were able to get the dock box cleaned,
the dock keys to the harbor master and the boat fully loaded. Loaded to just 1/2" above the waterline.
(Don yes it can be!
we are actually leaving, I know it is hard to believe)
(God she is a heavy boat). After the departure Bob and Cathy as well as Jeff and Leann escorted us out.
(I wondered if they were packing heat just in case we turned around). Also we found an Item I forgot to give away,
A little 110Volt space heater, so with some great piloting skills we handed off the little heater to Leann.
(Who in Hawaii has use for such an item) HA HA HA.
In any case we were on our way
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO here starts the trip across this big ocean to wonder land.
Wednesday October 26th 2005.
Todays adventure included Jim's contact via radio.
Today was, well kind off like the Ocean, up and down and up and down and up and down and.......
as they say the first day out you have to adjust to the motion. The real humor in all of this is the
only crew member without ocean experience was just as happy as a lark and showed no sign of sea sickness.
In any case tomorrow will be a better day I hope. late in the day we hit a nice high pressure system
smoothing the seas and slowing our sailing.
Thursday October 27th 2005.
Todays adventure Motoring.
Today we had very smooooooth seas and nice sunshine but little wind
so late in the day we almost messed up when the motor was started and then it started to heat right away,
Jim caught it and we shut it down. I found that we were low on fresh water coolant in the engine so I refilled it and
we were off again. We motored for about 2 hours then try to sail for 2 hours then motor for another 2 hours.
It seamed so early to start using so much fuel. (this is the first sign NOAA i.e. misinformed ark builders)
could be wrong by oh lets say 100%.
The noon position was 36o-53' North by 123o-34' West. 110Kt miles motored or sailed
Friday October 28th 2005.
Todays adventure; dolphins and lots and lots of them.
Last night we watched the dolphins play in the phosphorescents of the ocean
you could see there body outline aglow with light wave pulses coming from the stroking of there tail fins. (WAY COOL!!!!)
Today we see 100 + dolphin swimming everywhere just all over, and they are playing everywhere under, in front of, and beside the boat.
The noon position was 33o-30' North by 124o-18' West. 116Kt miles sailed
Saturday October 29th 2005.
Todays adventure; we watched the drifter fall in to the sea.
We had very little wind today and so we tried to set the 440 square foot drifter
(good idea) but the schackel that attached the halyard to the head of the sail (top of the sail) was not checked before
we hoisted the sail. SOOOOO in about 3 min it came back down into the ocean (bad words were said).
The noon position was 33o-45' North by 125o-41' West. 77Kt miles sailed
Sunday October 30th 2005.
Todays adventure; we are clear of the dolphins so a fishing we will go.
We crossed over into international waters today.
The noon position was 33o-01' North by 125o-39' West. 58Kt miles sailed. It feels very good to be in a tax free section
of the world but, as there is little (nothing) to be found, so the joy is some what less than hoped for. It does feel good to get
away from the blood sucking tax assessor of the mainland however. Along those lines we have become "the sailing Republic of Imagine"
(a dictatorship in reality) but with voting rights for all. This part is important when it comes to meals, as the dictator and the
cook are one and the same. However the peoples of this republic voted for wine and raisins before dinner (strange but acceptable decree
was given for this strange tradition). One item after dinner that did cause stress on the captain, was that a crew member did let the
lazy jack halyard go up the mast (the international location came to mind) but as the responsible party, there is no way to make him
walk the plank. but it sure crossed the captain's mind ;[ However; ugh!
Monday October 31st 2005.
Todays adventure; Halloween mid ocean.
A day the captain looks forward to every year.
When else do you get a chance to dress up and are given a license to behave irresponsibly.
As the Captain and the responsible party the last part seamed to reduce the spontaneity of "wild man caged in side".
However we did have the an adventure among us, see pictures below. Also see her carved Halloween pepper.
The noon position was 31o-11' North by 125o-28' West. 141Kt miles sailed
Tuesday November 01st 2005.
Todays adventure; Sailing.
Today gives some hope that we will get to Hawaii this year.
We are thinking that we should have huged the coast and enjoyed some of this wind.
Today we finally had some wind Yea!!!! The noon position was
29o-51' North by 127o-06' West. 151Kt miles sailed
Wednesday November 02nd 2005.
Todays adventure; Less wind again.
I remember they said the wind on the ocean is steady ??? We reefed the main sail today.
With the main sail reefed the fore sails work a little better and the boat is still balanced well.
The noon position was 28o-59' North by 128o-24' West. 98Kt miles sailed
Thursday November 03rd 2005.
Todays adventure; Even Less wind.
Though last night we motored again as there is NO wind again. We had a slow sail today
and the crew was sleepy and a bit on the dirty side. Today we all were able to take a shower (Yea! the little sun shower was oh so welcome.)
Jim was able to contact the pacific seafarer's net and update our position with them at 03:25 UTC 11/04/05.
I guess Nov. is not a breezy month. The noon position was 28o-14' North by 129o-32' West. 83Kt miles motored sailed
Friday November 04th 2005.
Todays adventure; Another day on the sea.
Though last night we tried to sail. Amazing how slow you move on 5 to 8 Kts of wind,
least way if you want to go the same direction. It seams like 3:00AM local has the highest wind speeds almost 10 Kts today.
The noon position was 27o-18' North by 130o-44' West. 107Kt miles sailed
Saturday November 05th 2005.
Todays adventure; Another day on the sea.
Dinner last night included the required wine and raisins before dinner.
We found an easy to prepare dinner meal, and it was very well received by the whole crew.
(Stove top stuffing with caned tuna and caned string beans.) 5 min and wala dinner is served.
I hate to admit it, but today was the first sighting we took with the sextant, It proved to be only about 6 miles off. (oh well)
The noon position was 26o-12' North by 131o-56' West. 133Kt miles sailed
Sunday November 06th 2005.
Todays adventure; Captain pinata scales the pole.
Last night we were just flopping around back and forth and back and forth so we started
the motor again and four hours later we covered about 23 Kt. miles later still not much wind.
So the first order of business in the morning was the pinata adventure "the guy that goes up the mast to retrieve the lost haylards".
(no candy was able to be beaten out of the captain just blood) Not a good thing (We found that under sever beating the captain is
very very hostile). The really bad news was (the refrigerator/ freezer had some issues! OK you can NOT pack the bottom
freezer section solid with frozen food as the air is not allowed to circulate around the frozen food
and it starts to thaw from the side not exposed to the cold air.
We had to pitch out the frozen meat balls, half of the pork chops, and some of the frozen peas. (Somebody has to feed those fish)
(Lesson learned "make sure the cold air can get to all sides of the frozen food.)
On the bright side we were able to enjoy fresh pealed and cored apple .
The noon position was 25o-59' North by 133o-55' West. 104 Kt miles sailed motored.
Monday November 07th 2005.
Todays adventure; Another day with low winds.
Last night we were just sitting and just flopping around again UGH!!! so we started
the motor again and three hours later we covered about 18 Kt. miles later we are again trying to sail,
But not much progress. We had our half way there party treats for all, borough by crewman Jim.
We were able to get a second satellite image today from WXTOMIG (software) and from the data we
could see a front moving at us at about 35 Kts. So we dropped the 300 square foot jib and put the 205 back on.
A really good Idea; as in the afternoon we had the 40 + Knot winds hit us; and we were prepared, well mostly.
The noon position was 25o-29' North by 134o-46' West. 71Kt miles sailed motored.
Tuesday November 08th 2005.
Todays adventure; Can you say storm!
Last night we switched to 2 hour watches as the seas built to 14 to 20 ft
and the winds were going up to 45 Kts.+ Well so much for issues, not enough wind, we have more than we want.
We went from a double reefed main and stay sail to just the stay sail alone and we still are sometimes exceeding
the hull speed of Imagine. The noon position was 24o-33' North by 136o-49' West. 151Kt miles sailed.
Wednesday November 09th 2005.
Todays adventure; Can you say sloppy seas!
Today we switched back to the 3 hour watches as the crew likes them,
and the winds are now under 40 Kts. Well we asked for wind, and we still have more than we want, this includes the waves.
It seams the front flattened out at our latitude. We are staying with the stay sail alone
and we still are sometimes exceeding or hitting 7.8 Kts.
Last night I finally slept so hard the world went away and I dreamed that I was
in bed with my wife in Hawaii (Waking up was sure a bummer).
The noon position was 24o-25' North by 138o-56' West. 144Kt very bumpy miles sailed.
Thursday November 10th 2005.
Todays adventure; Sailing.
Today it is starting to feel like we are getting into the trades YEA!!
The down hill run is in front of us and there is some hope that we will get to Hawaii this year before Thanksgiving.
Jim made radio contact today and found that the net manager is working out of the Pitcairn Islands. (wow!)
Today we finally had seas less than 10 ft and OK wind. The noon position was
24o-25' North by 141o-01' West. 151Kt miles sailed.
Friday November 11th 2005.
Todays adventure; More Sailing and some rusting of fishing lures.
Today felt allot like yesterday pretty OK the fishing lures seam to have some issues.
We troll them behind and in about 6Hrs they start rusting (I guess I got the fresh water versions)
Jim made radio contact again wow two days in a row. That HF radio stuff may be an up and coming thing.
(The captain is not going to hold his breath for this)
Today we had seas less than 7 ft and OK wind. The noon position was
24o-19' North by 143o-04' West. 151Kt miles sailed. I guess 151 is Imagines favorite Number "a rum runner?"
Saturday November 12th 2005.
Todays adventure; More Sailing It is so good to sail above 6Kts.
Today felt allot like yesterday but better.
We changed course around 1300UTC to 270 going west hoping to use the high pressure up north.
Jim made radio contact again and could nearly hear the other end. That HF radio stuff may not be the up and coming thing.
Dinner was the last of the pork chops and mushroom soup, and of course it was preceded by raisins and wine.
Today we had seas less than 6 ft and OK wind. The noon position was
23o-26' North by 145o-03' West. 167Kt miles sailed. It is amazing how good the boat sails above 6 kts.
Sunday November 13th 2005.
Todays adventure; I love the trade winds all 15Kts of them.
Today felt allot like yesterday but even better.
We changed course to around 240 then back to 285 then to 305 then back to 245 those winds just wont let us sail straight to Hawaii.
Jim made radio contact and could hear the other end. That HF radio stuff ?
Dinner was the crews favorite (Stuffing and tuna and corn) it is the 5 min prep meal that wins four stars out here, and of course
it was proceeded by raisins and wine.
Today we had seas less than 6 ft and OK wind. The noon position was
23o-33' North by 147o-14' West. 168Kt miles sailed. now if only all those miles were in the right direction.
Monday November 14th 2005.
Todays adventure; Sailing in a crooked line.
Today felt a little like yesterday but more thunder storms and less wind.
We changed course about 10 time today trying to keep on a deep broad reach.
The talk of the day (NOAA said 20Kts and we have 10Kts OK gusts to 12Kts.
Those guys must have something wrong in there data acquisition.
We are hunting thunder storms for there wind. It works great for about 30 min then back to the 5 to 8 Knots of wind.
We also had some flying fish come visit and die on deck last night.
They are real bad party guys, as the one who stayed just hung out and died.
Today we had seas less than 5 ft and a hint of wind. The noon position was
22o-46' North by 149o-00' West. 144Kt miles sailed. if only all those miles were in a straight line.
Tuesday November 15th 2005.
Todays adventure; Same as yesterday.
Today felt allot like yesterday yesterday yesterday yesterday. Oops got stuck on that.
We changed course to around 240 then back to 310 then back to 245 then back to 300 those winds just will not let us sail straight to Hawaii.
The crew is debating on our time of arrival is it before thanksgiving or after. The noon position was
22o-39' North by 150o-43' West. 145Kt miles sailed. Not in a straight line.
Wednesday November 16th 2005.
Todays adventure; try to stay cool.
Today felt allot like yesterday but an extra knot of wind is good.
We changed course to around 300 then back to 220. Imagine makes a noticeable change at 6 Knots
she rolls about half as much as at 5.5 knots and she somehow appears to be stiffer when sailing.
One thing socially that has happened, is that the captain has become more BLY like. Mandating
"no coffee shall be brewed during the night". This may sound bad, but cooking on the stove at night raises
the cabin temperature about 5 deg F, or from sleepily 85F to just sweeting "no sleeping" 90 deg F.
this along with the lack of sleep yesterday made the Captain much less hospitable, PMS possibly?
Today we had seas less than 6 ft and OK wind. The noon position was at the do
22o-38' North by 152o-46' West. 159Kt miles sailed.
Two comments;
first; to all of you thinking of crewing, or looking for crew (in the tropics),
food or drinking habits should not be over looked as habits are hard to break.
second; a good captain should make decisions early and in advance of the issue
(this is so that all discussion is without stress) sleep deprivation will bring
out the bad side in some of us (the captain in this case)
Thursday November 17th 2005.
Todays adventure; Same as yesterday.
Today we are doing a bit more southing, the captains hope is to, sail down the windward side of Moloki.
We changed course between 239 and 290 those winds just will not let us sail straight to Hawaii.
The NOAA joke has taken on true meaning in that we are suppose to have 20Kts of wind and reality has us with 9 to 14kts peak true wind speed.
The crew is still debating on our time of arrival Friday or Saturday?. The noon position was
21o-55' North by 154o-54' West. 163Kt miles sailed.
Friday November 18th 2005.
Todays adventure; Same as yesterday.
Today felt a bit like yesterday but the end is anticipated.
We changed course to around 240 then back to 310 then back to 245 then back to 300 those winds just
will not let us sail straight to Hawaii. We ran out of Tank water today (Imagine started out with
two 40Gallon fresh water tanks in Alameda and we have used it all up today. We have 40 L of
bottled water which we will most likely use 10L of trough the night. The crew was very good in conserving water during this trip
and it showed (about 1 gallon/person/day) not bad. The crew is also debating on our time of arrival
Fri late night local time or is it Sat morning. Friday morning was not so good on the miles covered,
but the afternoon picked up well keeping us above 6knts most of the time.
todays winds were of the 9 to 10Kt peaks. Jim sent in his last Pacific Seafairers
Net report tonight as we will be in port tomorrow. The noon position was
21o-29' North by 156o-58' West. 152Kt miles sailed.
We adjusted and rounded so as not to have the 151 pop up again.
UTC Saturday November 19th 2005.
Today the last day of the trip (It feels so good to see the end)
Today (based on UTC) felt wonderful the end is in sight
I called Kate my wife on the cell phone about 15 Miles off Moloki. She will meet us at the
Keehi marina after she gets off work on Friday local time. It has been a long trip, and all are excited to be arriving.
todays winds were of the 10 to 15Kt peaks. The noon position was
21o-19' North by 157o-54' West. 78 miles sailed and docked.
Happy Photos after showers (Did I say how gooood a fresh water shower feels!)!
In summery of the trip
The following are true
1.) One of the items you did not get a spare part for, or left
the spare part for, will be required during the voyage.
2.) The wind always blows to hard or not hard enough.
3.) A windvane is a good thing to have.
4.) There is a reason they call old sailors, old salts (everything gets salted, or turns into salt in the ocean.)
5.) While at sea you are single minded (you can eat and hold on, you can drink and
hold on, or you can just hold on but you can not eat and drink at the same time because you are not holding on.
6.) You can learn more about yourself sailing than you can learn about sailing by yourself.
Much was left out of this passage report (good bad and the forgotten) but it was an adventure
with really good times had, no one added or removed from the earth, and not to many bad words spoken.
ANd here is the chart across.
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