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American Spirit II - Day 156; Leaving Tonga for Fiji, a Poisonous Snake Boards Hebe & Wind Forecast Wrong, Again; Tuesday, June 10, 2014



7:40 AM up. Throat sore. Seems as though I got the sore throat from Joel, who had one a week ago. He had told me before. I forgot. I'm over 50.



Had breakfast on board, then we dingied into the Aquarium Cafe at 8:45 AM. Joel to check the internet and me to go to the medical clinic to see if I needed any thing for my throat. At the clinic I was first in line. The doctor said I had a virus, and that the Doxycyline I was taking for my leg might help my throat. He also told me to look in the mirror, and if the back of my throat turned white and pussy, to take the medication I had for such a malady. I went to pay the pharmacist on my way out and was told 'no charge.' Cool.



I then walked to the market and bought one more dozen eggs, then back to the Aquarium Cafe, where Joel and I dingied back to the boat. We then deflated the dingy and stowed it below in the forward cabin. At 10:33 AM we unhooked from the mooring ball and headed out of the anchorage. Next stop Fiji, 400 miles away.



I forgot to mention in yesterday's log that Hebe, when they grabbed a mooring ball and line, got boarded by a sea snake that was on the mooring line when they pulled it up. Sea snakes are 20 times more venomous than any land snake and if you get bitten, you die. Guaranteed. However, because the snakes' mouth is so small, its hard for them to inflict a fatal bite. I forget who grabbed the snake and threw it overboard. Whoever it was deserves a medal.



An hour after departing we were leaving the islands behind. We put some mainsail out on a starboard tack to steady the boat. Because of our damaged left, lower shroud, we're going to motor-sail to Fiji for repairs, instead of just sailing. Less stress on our rigging. It will take 5 days to get to our repair facility,where our repairs are scheduled to start Monday, June 16. The wind was 17-19 knots and we were rocking and rolling with the wind from behind us.



At 11:47 AM we had a big fish strike. We turned the motor to neutral to slow the boat, and the fish took a lot of line. BIG fish. But we lost the fish when the snap broke. Cheap metal. Probably made in China.



Our noon position was 18 degrees, 34 minutes South; 174 degrees, 8 minutes West. We were rocking 30 degrees left and right in the waves. Very uncomfortable. I couldn't even read in the cockpit it was so rocky. Maybe we should have left Wednesday.



Joel napped from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, as we passed Late island to port. Wind now 20-25 knots. Forecast called for 15-20.



I napped from 2:40 PM to 4:40 PM. Couldn't sleep, though. Hard to do in the 6-10 foot seas. Try sleeping with a moving bed.



Another fish strike on the other line at 4:40 PM. Same result as the first strike of the day. No fish for dinner.



Freeze dried Beef Stroganoff with Noodles at 6:00 PM. Plus creamed corn and chilled pears.



The sun set at 6:07 PM. No green flash. Clouds. Lot of clouds in the trade winds.



During the 6:30 PM net Hebe indicated that they had landed a 20 kilo mahi mahi. That's 44 pounds. Wow!



From 6:45 PM to 8:00 PM I napped before my 5 hour watch started. Again, didn't get any sleep. During my 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM watch the winds were a steady 20 knots and the rigging howled. We were traveling at 7.0 knots. I took the canvas insert between the dodger and bimini out so I could see the moon and stars better. Will be a full moon Friday. With the waves all lit up I could see them barrelling up from behind us before they swept by. By 10:00 PM the wind had dropped to 15-18 and our speed was 6.0-6.2 knots. Still very rocky.



Joel came on watch at 1:00 AM. I took a shower and changed my leg bandage before retiring at 1:25 AM. The wound after the lancing yesterday looked really good.



326 Days until home.



Brian Fox


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