Glorious Sun and then... (Update 16)
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Bula Viti kei Rotuma

After my last report last night, today was one of the warmest days on record as the wind dropped to less than 10 knots and the sun came out for the first half of the day. Our batteries loved the sun as our two solar panels supplied by Clay Engineering were being charged at around 6.5amps.

Vilisoni took the opportunity to do some repair work on the mast end of one of the traditional booms which got damaged on the first night out of Auckland. (See new pics of the Uto Ni Yalo departing Auckland at www.fijivoyaging.com in the photo gallery) He had to remove a protective leather strip, clean and dry the crack, then epoxy the split in the claw and clamp/strap it all up to dry.

The light North Westerly winds meant we could try out our Gennaker loaned from Allan Marshall of Marshall Sails. The sail was a perfect fit and we soon had the Uto ni Yalo coasting along at between 5 - 10 knots. The canoe was a joy to steer with the Gennaker up. It was almost like steering a large Hobie Cat down wind.

Most of us were walking around on deck in T-shirts and boardies doing our washing and again drying everything out.

Salome even had her multi-coloured blanket out over the deckhouse to dry. Clothes lines sprung up all over deck and we looked like a traveling laundry. Being the second day of sunshine, most of us have caught up with our washing now and just as well as the weather changed dramatically in the space of an hour.

The warning came at around 1300 hours from one of the vaka's behind us that a cold front was approaching from the South West. It was bringing rain and a 20 - 25 knot Southerly.

We could see the dark clouds threatening behind us and we scrambled to get all the clothes lines down, finish lunch and then take down the gennaker before all hell broke loose.

By the time we were ready to take the Gennaker down the wind was already 15 knots. Now this Gennaker is only designed for up to 10 knots so it was a struggle to get it down and took all hands on deck to get the 2.0oz sail into the bag and safely back into the sail locker.

As soon as we had done this we raised the Staysail (#2 Headsail) and reefed the Mainsail. By this time the wind was 20 knots gusting 25 and we were racing along at 10 knots on the starboard tack bearing 090 degrees due east. Everyone was yelling and screaming with joy at finally getting some wind and getting the Uto moving fast towards our destination.

We are currently at 36*34' South/163*53' West heading 060True and averaging 9 knots. The wind is a constant 20 knots + but has swung more easterly. Both the mainsail and the mizzen have one reef.

After the warm sunshine this morning, we have to get used to cold and wet feet, hands and face for the next few days as we battle the strong winds that will dominate our weather until next week.

I leave you now to the sound of singing of the 2100 hours watch team of Manoa, Vaitoga (Paul), Tukana, Oscar and their Watch Captain Moala.

Until my next report, Colin

Today's featured crew member: Unaisi Waqanivere.

I would like to give a big Vinaka Vakalevu to our Skipper Mr Jonathan Smith and to Mr Colin Philp for everything they have done for us crews especially for me and Lome. Even though we are the only girls in the crew we’ve been treated equally as the boys, no one gets any more or less. As for being a crew member counting on and trusting in one another plays an important role. Being away from home doesn’t really affect me because being with the team just feels like home.
As an environmental person on board, this journey is a big step to combat ocean pollution, sailing across the ocean without using any engines reduced the amount of fuel released into the water which could damage many marine organisms and plants out there. Sailing across the ocean using not only the compass but also the stars is amazing to learn. Sea bird sightings even getting more interesting everyday.
Most of all ,I would love to show my biggest gratitude to all those who supported us while staying in Auckland. To Harold and his family, Mr. Smith’s family,Tovata (Sera), to the Naitasiri clan and to those that i did not mention, thank you all for your great hospitality and great support.
Just to conclude, as being a female and part of the Uto Ni Yalo crew, I don’t have any regret whatsoever in joining this great journey. The fact Salome and I are here proved girls can do anything. Last but not the least, to my boss Miss Loraini Sivo without you i wouldn’t have known about this great journey, and to my family for your support, thank you very much. This trip will always be remembered and remain in my heart for the rest of my life. Loloma vakabibi tu yani.

Moce mada.


About Unaisi.
Born: CWM Hospital, Suva
Parents: Both form Nukuni, Ono-i-Lau
Brothers and Sisters: 2 Brothers, 2 Sisters
Education: Dudley High School, Fiji Institute of Technology

 

Uto Ni Yalo leaving Auckland

The Uto Ni Yalo leaving Auckland. More pictures can be found in the gallery.