18:04.33N

155:44.44W

We are on our away again, again. Let us explain.  We had another problem on the way over that we did not disclose out of embarrassment about us and our boat; the hydraulics did not work.  Hydraulics tighten and loosen our backstay and boom vang.  The backstay was especially important because it holds up the mast; very important in the heavy weather we had.

After the very competant locals,  Roy and Munroe in Honolulu could not get it to work, the boat builder sent over a very friendly chap, PJ, carrying the elusive strut and to fix the hydraulics.  On his arrival he confirmed that it had to be replaced.  Rather than wait, with the help of Roy and Munroe in Honolulu, we fashioned an elegant work around and left on Tuesday.

All was well,despite very light winds, until David woke Tony to point out that the goose neck was broken.  Now, to your question, do you have to have a goose to have a goose neck, the answer is no; so don't worry we are only carrying dead poultry to eat.  The gooseneck connects the boom to the mast.  So...given we were near the most southerly of the Hawaiian Islands, The Big Island curiously called Hawaii, (we had been on Ohau in Honolulu), we pulled in at 6pm Wed at Honokohau Harbor.  (It is on the southcoast)

In the meantime Munroe mentioned on the phone that the new hydraulic pack showed up and his partner,Roy flew over with it the next day.  The next day, the very nice Charlie, from parts including Alaska, fashioned a new, and I might add, beefier and more appropriate looking goose neck.  We left again, again at 6pm last night; but not before everyone (not Tony) had one last burger at the marina cafe.  I think everyone had 4 in the 24 hours we were there.  I felt fortunate to get out in 24 hours because the first thing Charlie reminded me was "everyone is on island time and you have to learn to slowdown".  We did and 24 hours was pretty good.

Early this morning Sam saw a small freighter with oriental writing on it, ahead. We watched it pass within 100 yards.  For a few moments as it seemed to turn towards us, I wondered about their intentions,(sounds like a potential father in law) but they were honorable.

It is midday and the boat is very quiet as nearly everyone is catching up on some of their deprived sleep.

Good news; generator and engine have been working fine.  Thank you generator and engine gods.

Back in the saddle; no, wrong metaphor; streaking (with some clothes to protect against sun) south to Tahiti

Babelfish