“Don’t panic! DON’T PANIC! Captain Stammering, we just batten down the hatches, quickly, quickly!” And so Bosun Bones, known as ER (Emergency Rations) rushed around and got everything under control for at least 5 minutes before all hell let loose and we were hit by 40+ knots of winds and huuuuge seas of 4 to 5 meters, sloshing over the decks and the occasional one breaking.

Kahia under fully reefed mainsail and full staysail was still holding her course, sailing at 6 knots in 25 to 30 knots of wind with gusts of up to 40.

That’s gale-force conditions we were not really expecting. We were prepared for winds of 20 to 25 knots. However, our greatest admiration goes to the VAH (Very able Helmsman) Private Hyde, stationed on the stern, the poop deck, maybe pooping himself, we do not know, he never talks to us but steers the boat brilliantly 24/7 asking for no rest, no food and no hot drinks. Seems to survive very well on saltwater and miraculously steers the boat purely by the wind, never complaining.

“Now listen up man,” says Captain Stammering “this can’t last forever, we need to keep our spirits up! Let’s think of good old England and the Royal Family!” Just as another wave crashed over Kahia.

Bosun Bones piped up: ”Captain, I’ve got just the solution Sir, when I was in the galley the other day, I made up some delicious Mango Sorbets, which will fix us up nicely Sir and sort everything out for us!” “Well! That’s all right then, well done ER, splendid job, all problems solved.”

As the Sorbet was tasted by the Captain and ER (not Private Hyde) it happened that a great peace descended on Kahia, the winds and seas seemed to eased and it was time to relax with a good sleep for Captain Stammering and for Bosun ER to clean up the AFM (Absolute F...... Mess) below decks.

 

And this is how a new trend has been set into motion on Kahia, as long as the mangoes lasts, Mango Sorbet it is!

 

As we are writing this afternoon, it is raining hard again but the wind and seas have gone down and will hopefully bring a more comfortable night.

24 hour log at noon Honolulu time: 157 miles and 416 miles to Hilo. Hawaii here we come.