Today's Report
June 18/10 1300 Honolulu Time
Position: 20°33'N, 153°57'W (Approaching Hawaiian Islands)
Remaining distance to Yokohama finish: 14.3%
A bit slower progress yesterday but calculations show he may arrive as early as late Sunday afternoon local time, having covered 95 nm in the past 24 hours.
Winds ranged from about 10 kts to as much as 24 knts for the second day of passing squalls. At the time of his call he reported the skies as "very beautiful, and the temperature is getting warm, about 24 degrees C." He was clearly relieved -- it was the first time in nearly a week that he hasn't been in rainy, cool conditions.
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Yesterday's SE current of 0.6 kts has started to turn favorably to a more westward direction, at the same speed. This will be ideal as he approaches the turn toward Oahu in the vicinity of WP1. The direction of the current will remain from the east but slow to 0.3 kts. Saito-san anticipates that the passage between Oahu and Molokai will require several jibes.
He now has 256 nm remaining to reach his Hawaii stopover at Keehi Marina, Honolulu, averaging 95 nm a day over the past three days. His ETA has advanced to as early as late Sunday afternoon, June 20, local time. He will not attempt to come in after dark, however.
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Saito-san is clearly enthused about his impending arrival, which completes the first circumnavigation of Nicole BMW Shuten-dohji III (formerly "Peregrine") built in 1989 in Hawaii. Keehi Marina was her home for a number of years before she was acquired for Saito's voyage. (In fact, if he can still find it, the security gate key acquired three summers ago probably still works, and can be turned in when he leaves to recover the key's $100 deposit.)
Several yachts were built using the same design, and are quite well known in the islands, according to Sean Koop, the diesel mechanic who has been engaged to fix the engine. A sister ship of NBSDIII was the "tender" for the famous Hawaiian voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa, a full-scale replica launched in 1975 by the Polynesian Voyaging Society.
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Scott Gilbert this morning told us that he has arranged for Saito-san to undergo a physical exam at the hospital where Scott works. He said the tests, especially focusing on Saito-san's heart, will be provided compliments of the hospital. Saito-san takes a daily dose of pills to control an erratic heartbeat and his cholesterol.
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Distance in last 24 hours: 95 nm over ground / 94 nm DMG
Total distance completed: 24,227 nm
To Yokohama: 4,057 nm
To Hawaii WP2: 256 nm
Heading: 288°
Reported boat speed: 4.0 kts
Average boat speed: 4.0 kts
Average daily DMG over last 3 days: 101 nm
Weather: Clear, beautiful skies; earlier, passing squalls
Temperature: 24.0° C
Barometer: 1014 hPa
Wind (from): 9-12 kts, E, sometimes ENE, w/gusts to 24 kts, expected to be 11-14 kts mostly E over next 19 hrs
Waves: 1.5 - 2.0 m
Current (from): E at 0.6 kts (favorable)
Engine: 0.0 hrs
Generator: 12.5 hrs
Sails: Genoa 80% (sometimes 90%), staysail 0%, mainsail 2-pt reef
Position Map
Yellow line is route east of the islands.
