Maamalni - Leg 3 - Day 1: We are way behind the fleet

Yahoo, we are out of the harbor! Not a moment too soon, the crew was about to mutiny. The list of things that the new crew have noted that would be on the luxury cruise line would include: Never having to worry about repairs; Meals would be prepared for you: Laundry done and air conditioning all for considerably less money. Although they admit there is a certain charm to sweating in bed with a fan blowing on you it can actually be cooling.

The first 24 hours saw no wind but calm seas. The rest of the fleet, well ahead of us reported in the daily radio net that they were all motoring against an adverse current running as much as 3 knots against them. Our first night out was calm with overcast. The boys got up early (after Suzan and Kristi stood 'Dog Watch' from midnight to 6AM) and went fishing. Fortified by coffee, they raised the sails and then decide to check the fish line. YO - FISH ON! Whereupon Michael calls down to Suzan to come on deck to help Jim land the 5 foot 2 inch 45 pound Wahoo. Suzan, a little grumpy with only 2 hours sleep showed Jim how to gut and fillet his first large fish. Now preparing a fish this large on the small back step requires a bit of agility and deftness of hand. Three sharp knives, pliers, gloves, rope, cutting board and large bucket are the instruments required. So an hour later, one broken gaff and a swim to retrieve the bucket overboard we have nearly 30 pounds of fresh fish. Lunch was fabulous! And shortly thereafter the wind freshened and we are currently sailing at 6.5 knots with a 13-knot wind off the beam. Jim and Kristi seem to be softening about jumping ship for the luxury liner as you can't fish off the back of one of those boats.

Back in clean water, Suzan and Michael