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American Spirit II - Day 133; Almost There (to Suwarrow, Cook Islands); Saturday, May 17, 2014



I finished my 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM watch, and Joel relieved me for the 1:00 AM to 6:00 AM watch. I typed emails and a log and then to bed at 1:45 AM.

Back on watch at 6:00 AM. Had to turn generator on as voltage was low. Freezer had turned off due to low voltage.

Had to slow boat down at 7:20 AM. Going too fast. Don't want to get to Suwarrow in the dark Saturday night. Shooting for 9:00 AM Sunday. Put 2nd reef in main. Slowed boat from 6.0 and 6.5 knots to 5 knots. Wind 16 to 18 knots; seas 3 to 4 feet.

Turned generator off at 8:02 AM.

At 9:30 AM we had the communications net.

Breakfast at 10:00 AM. Scrambled eggs, orange and toast with butter, jelly and peanut butter.

After breakfast I changed the chart on the dining room table in the main cabin to one showing Suwarrow and the American Samoa Islands, plus Niue Island. Even though our lifeblood are electronic charts, we have paper charts for the entire around the world voyage. $3,900 worth of charts weighing 46 pounds. British Admiralty Charts ordered from the United Kingdom. Britain did rule the seas for hundreds of years. So their charts are quite good. Better than I could have bought in the USA.


At noon our position was: 13 degrees, 39 minutes South; 161 degrees, 33 minutes West. 94 nautical miles to Suwarrow.

Joel and I each napped during the afternoon hours, separately of course.

At 6:30 PM we had the communications net, hosted by Sandra from Sweet Pearl. We were the only two Group 2 boats on the net. Almost everyone else had already arrived in Suwarrow.

Dinner at 6:45 PM consisted of the last of our Mahi Mahi, blackened and grilled by Joel; plus peas and carrots, which Joel passed on; and French fruit cocktail. Much different than fruit cocktail from the USA. Not very good, actually. A bunch of fruit in the 'cocktail' was not that good. Maybe just different.

After dinner Joel finally connected us on SSB and we got our emails sent out and received. I had tried at 6:00 PM with no luck, being disconnected 7 times. Its not easy sending and receiving emails when the boat is rocking back and forth. Radio waves then are sent into the sea or into the heavens, away from their destination.

During my 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM watch the watch started really dark, and then the moon rose an hour or so later. Not full but waning. A very pleasant watch. Not too much wind. Waves small. Temperature warm. I listened to music on my IPhone and read a book on my Kindle. Life is good!


350 Days to go until home.

Brian Fox


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