Sailing Happy

New friends in Kona! Ellen offered to take us for a flight around Big Island - was amazing! Thank you!

Hello from Happy in Kona!

It is all well here and we landed in Kona on Thursday—now settled for the hurricane that is passing tonight! We made the first leg in 16 days which is pretty fast—especially given we were fleeing the hurricane! The sailing was great at 7-8 kn on a broad reach once we got through the storm cells and out of the ITCZ zone—we’d had enough of playing ‘frogger’. 🐸 We motored a total of 60 hours in the total 2450 kn. Not bad!

Another small storm follows this one but less severe and where we are tucked in, winds should be minimal.

We are glad we get some chill time to relax and recoup as I fly out the night of 22nd for BC. Hugh and David leave the morning of the 23rd (wx pending) for Honolulu to get a few parts and when the weather window is right, go north and home. The sail should be 3 weeks.

Here are a few pics of where we are tucked in. Thanks for your support! It is much appreciated!

Lunch on repeat. Wraps with cabbage slaw, bean dip, Hugh’s homemade hot sauce from Hiva Oa, and the last of our fresh tomatoes with canned corn and beets. Topped with vegan chipotle mayo. Yum!

The things we do at sea with Starlink…

https://suno.com/s/s5YlxQVoKgzeigSG

New Rudders! This set us back 2 months in bringing the boat north as the old rudders had 10mm degradation in the rudder posts so entire new rudders had to be created and shipped to out of the way Hiva Oa from Rudder Craft of Boise, Idaho. Only setback upon arrival was they were an inch too long so shaving he did. Leading up to the rudders arriving, Hugh stayed and worked on the boat in all other capacities and Happy is in absolutely stellar shape. We splashed last week and are headed for HI.

How often do you come across a police officer who stops to talk with you and hands you warm, roasted chestnuts, just because? Loved my time in Hiva Oa.

Amazing to meet Adam in the Mahina anchorage, Tahiti. I wish we had Happy and Metabele together, maybe another time.