09:37S 107:53W

Miles run last 24 hrs 180

 

As the halfway mark to the Marquesas approaches we have decided to put little more west into our heading.  Our course up until now had been taking us below the rhumb line (course) and into better conditions, we hoped.  But now it is time to lay the course direct to Fatu Hiva, our intended landfall.  To do this meant poling out the headsail and running with the wind more aft.   As we did this in lumpy conditions this morning, I realised we have been sailing with the sails set for the past seven days – definitely the longest we have ever sailed without making any tacks, gybes and we even made few adjustments apart from reefing when the wind got up.   Up until now we have had double reefed main and partially furled genoa and sailed on a broad reach, the wind just aft of the port beam.   This morning’s change sees us with the headsail poled out to port and the main to starboard – wing on wing if you like. We are still flying along at around seven knots and while the seas are still up they appear a little kinder on this course so we can remove the bed from the saloon floor and return to our comfy bed aft!

 

Yesterday was more memorable than some days as, for the first time on this passage, we caught and landed, a fish. We have had a few strikes on the line and lost a mahimahi close to the stern but on most days we simply didn’t bother because it was too rough.  With a slight lull in conditions yesterday morning I put the line out (at the cook’s suggestion.....it was fresh fish or beans and rice....a no brainer!)and soon realised it was probably not the best day to fish as the seas were confused and lumpy, causing Bandit to roll unpredictably.  Landing a fish in those conditions is tricky but worth it given the option is beans and rice.  After an hour or so  the reel screamed FISH.  By the speed the line was disappearing from the reel I knew it was a big one and managed to slow the line just before the end of it.   Brenda slowed Bandit as much as possible allowing me to haul the beast in.  I managed to get it over the lifeline onto the slippery deck where it promptly flicked the hook from its mouth and headed for the sea.  I had to dive on top of it calling Brenda for a knife or some alcohol; alcohol to stun the fish although by this stage, despite not drinking at sea, a swig of rum might have been quite nice.  Here I was stark naked lying atop a very much alive, thrashing, slippery 8 kg bluefin tuna both of us sliding around on deck as Bandit rolled oblivious to the commotion going on ( I hasten to add I was wearing a lifejacket and harnessed on – just didn’t have time to grab clothes!).  The knife arrived and was promptly lost overboard in the struggle, another was produced and the poor fish eventually subdued. 

 

Last night we dined on beautiful seared tuna steaks with salsa verde preceded by sashimi.  Lunch today will be ceviche and dinner tonight, no doubt, more tuna! The freezer is now full of delicious tuna loins, the likes of which usually only seen in expensive and exclusive fish shops.  There may still be some on board to satisfy visitors coming to see us in French Polynesia.  The fishing lure now hangs forlornly on the back of the boat – cook’s orders until we work our way through this mountain of tuna.

 

By the way – we passed through 105 degrees longtitude today we have put our clocks back an hour and will publish this blog an hour later.