Made it to Tahiti...............a very long sail

After 26 days at sea.Blaze pulled into Papeete yesterday about 00:00 utc.

The boat was met by the ships agent, Laurent, who assisted in getting a slip at Marina.

They will rest a few days and then get started on fixiung systems that are broken or not operating fully.

First up is the fuel system. Starboard tank has a leak.

We will fix it in NZ. Plan to add fuel barrels on deck for the crossing to Auckland next month.

The refridgeration system is slowly dying. Devon and Dusty are gonna work it again and see if they can get it below zero degrees centigrade. Righ now reefer wont freeze ....but it does stay cold.

The boat is covered in dried salt spray. Washdown time.

and remember....don't stay at the dock too long!

a letter from Britt to the boat.....
(in case you have ever wondered what level of direction they get).
_____________________________
Hi Guys;

Papeete should be in sight!

Let's see.....well the Hobie Cat was sold to AL Munson today. We agreed on $x,xxx.
Not bad for a six yr old boat we paid $xx,xxx for.
Oh well. I think we had $x,xx worth of fun...do you.?

He picks it up tomorrow.
We'll put your jeep under the tent cover now.

The money is for a reefer compressor, etc.
OK up next
refrigeration.
What model
any words that are recognizable at all.?
Whats size is it.? How tall is it?
What is the best solution to the problem?

fish gear
we dressed in cammo and ball caps to go to Bass Pro Shops in Henderson. Yee haw dude.
They closed at 7:000 we got there at 6:30...so all we really had time to do was look for correctly sized offshore gear. Damn those lures are pricey. Make your own outta those beer kegs when we are done with em. LOL

Enjoy Papeete.
I know it has been tough to get there.

The agent has been prepaid and should take care of most everything. DO NOT authorize any extra charges with him unless I approve.
He has reserved a slip for you. Make sure it has fresh water that you can use....before you accept it. Try and limit your dock time as much as possible. Lock up tight when anchored out and away from boat.....at least in Papeete area.

Check in while wearing nice clothes. really. Get yourselves rested. Buy some ice cream. get a cold beer.
Get the boat rinsed off. Figure out your fuel situation.
But please......get away from the dock asap.

I really need the reefer info. today if possible.

call my cell using sat fone when you arrive....near the breakwater

Love ya....Dad

fish on and off ....twice!

A report finally///////////////

The wind is light and so are the seas. two days ago...the total mileage was 2 nautical miles (tw0). Today was a bit better with about 28 NM logged in 24 hrs.

Devon writes in his most recent long winded email...........................

Hi

S 17 37.645 152 00.970 hd 63 wind 7 wave 0

We cleaned bottom and speared 80 lbs mahi mahi. Broke the spear and dropped the fish during transfer to boat.

Last night caught 80 lbs yellow fin lost during gaffing!

fishing supplies needed

5) 6 in trolling flashers Twinkie shape offset nose and tail

1 )spool 100 lbs monofilament leader

6) buck tail jigs med. size 4 in. total length

1) planning downrigger weight\foil

any thing else that looks good

Love Devon

-----------------

Heh Devon:

hows that canned tuna and spam tasting?

hopefully you will get some tonight. 7 knots moves the boat enough to troll.

good luck.

for cool time zone info go to

http://www.time.gov/timezone.cgi?UTC/s/0/java

Getting closer...and the 420,000 waves theory

The line represents the PROJECTED track of the boat.

Communication from the boat has been limited to one line emails.

Last night we received this long communication:

"S 16 05.880 W152 41.130 hd 160 wind 14 wave 4 see you soon love Devon"

So there isn't much to post. I guess 12 hours of watch per day ....and working on systems probably wears on the body. The seas appear to have dropped down to 4-5 feet and the winds are "one the nose" for this last beat to Papeete.

Dustin and Devon have endured nearly 420,000 waves since leaving Port Townsend.

24 hr a day, 42 days, avg 8.5 second interval. Equals 7 waves per minute ...420 per hour....1000 hrs at sea = 420,000 waves.......Average height if calculated from Devons nightly reports is about 8 feet. So up and down a wave is 16 feet +/-. Times the 420,000 waves yields 6,720,000 feet of vertical movement. Divided by 6000 feet in nautical mile....is 1,120 nautical miles of just up and down motion!. Total distance covered is about 4500 NM.

position report 02:00 utc Sat Sept 15

S 7 45.596 W 155 17.340 hd 142 wind18 wave 8-Devon

leaves about 675 nauti

cal miles to Papeete

Across the equator!

On Tuesday night, Blaze hit a major cruising waypoint.....the equator!

The crossing itself was uneventful, but significant. Most important is the fact they are now south of the "equatorial tropical convegence zone" . This is the "doldrums" we all dread. So that is behind us. That attached weather chart from Univ of Hawaii indicates 15 - 20 knots from the port bow as they head to Papeete. Waves are reported at 8-10 feet at 8.5 second intervals. Devon reports waves are "steep and square".

In front of Blaze lies about 1000 more miles of open ocen to French Polynesia. We expect landfall in Papeete on Thursday 9/20. Arrangements have been made for a ships agent to check the boat in. Hiring an agent is a little pricey (450 USD) but all of the problems can be mitigated by a native. Since Devon or Dustin do not speak French (and about 5 other reasons)...it seems prudent to get some local help.

The only problems of late is the refridgeration system. Apparently the 120VAC drive compressor is overloading. The redundant mechanical compressor cant work in the equatorial heat as it is too close to the main motor to be effective. So Devon and Dustin worked all day Wednesday to tear down and rebuild the 120VAC side. Imagine working in cramped quarters while sailing along in 8-10 foot seas. Now imagine doing it on your "off watch" after only four hours of sleep. The fact that the reefer runs again is a testament to the resilience and perseverance of the crew. Thanks guys.

Near the equator!

last email at 02:00 utc

N 0 20.750 W 155 39.400 hd 150 wind 16 wave 10 steep waves

love devon

=========

dont give ya much to write about.

The boat should cross the equator about midnight tonight.\ (pacific daylight time Monday}

The official time will be about 06:00 utc on Sept 11, 2007.

It will be a MOONLESS night.. Dead dark....except forthe stars....what a time to cross the equator!.

Seafaring custom says that the first time you cross the equator, your get you head shaved.

I dont think Devon has cut his hair since....but I imagine Dusty will be sporting a new"do".

by tomorrow morning.

a