Thursday, January 29, 2015

Arrival in Panama

Land Ho!
After seven days at sea we have arrived in the San Blas islands of Panama.
We had great conditions and I am thankful for our luck on this normally challenging passage.
We timed our arrival well and dropped anchor at 9am. The local Kuna natives were eager to try to sell us their handiwork. I bought a hand made Panamanian flag to fly from our starboard spreader.
Having Steven along was super fun and very helpful for the watch schedule.
We've been eating fish non-stop. Tuna sushi, tuna steak, mahi fillet with rice, mahi with green curry and peppers.
Then we caught another one! We don't usually run our fridge/freezer constantly, but all of our fish has inspired us to run the freezer.
We are anchored at the regional center Porvenir so we can clear customs and immigration.
We'll then explore the outlying uninhabited islands for a bit of relaxation.
Porvenir has a landing strip that will allow Steven to fly to Panama City in a few days.

current position:
N 09*33.331
W 078* 56.861
speed 0

----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

position update

14:45 EST
19:45 UTC

N 10* 28.8'
W 078* 02.1'

speed 4 kts
course 205* M

slowed speed in order to reach Porvenir, San Blas during daylight tomorrow morning.
great fresh fish dinner last night.
fabulous fish lunch today.
likely fish for dinner tonight as well.

810 miles down,
70 miles to go.

all is well.

Martin

----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

FISH ON!!

Tuesday, January 27, 1245 EST, 1745 UTC
N 12* 15.3'
W 077* 02.7'
speed 6kts
course 230* magnetic

finally we caught a fish!
Steven reeled in a 30" Dorado (Mahi Mahi)
then came the Pau Hana circus:
fish flopping, us staggering about, huge mess everywhere.
finally we got it filleted and in the freezer.
Now, everything is cleaned up and...
More fish!
I brought in a 9 lb? tuna, caught on a lure I made from a granola bar wrapper and a zip tie.
repeat circus described above.

now we're cooking the sushi rice and trying to find the wasabi.

pictures to follow when we get to an internet connection.

sailing wise, we are sailing down wind and with the waves in fine style.

We may arrive at the San Blas Islands as early as tomorrow afternoon!

Martin

----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com

Monday, January 26, 2015

Position Report

average speed is increasing. We're sailng with the jib only so we have our shade structure in place.
lots of sailing at 7.5 kts.
Currently:
N 13*43'
W 075*12'
speed 7.5 kts
course 245* magnetic
a flying fish landed on deck and is being converted into a trolling lure.

Hopefully we'll arrive in San Blas mid day on Thursday.

Martin

----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Position Update

Sunny Day, perfect conditions.
We've got all fishing lines in the water.
1713 utc
15*03.3'N
072*39.1W
Speed 7.1 kts
Course 250* magnetic

no fish yet.

Martin

----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Position Update

January 24
1510 local time
N 15* 45.1'
W 070* 44.5'

large spotted dolphin
speed 5.5 kts
course 250* mag

all is well. partly cloudy, light wind
making good time. 137 nm over past 24 hours

Martin

----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com

Friday, January 23, 2015

Pau Hana position report

Greeting from the Caribbean!
at 1530 local time, 1930 UTC
Pau Hana was at:
N 16*51.8'
W 068* 49'
course 240* magnetic
speed 5.9 kts

light conditions, going well.
we covered 142 nautical miles in our first 24 period.
Steven Fraze is aboard and we're enjoying having a guest.
We're headed to the San Blas islands in SE Panama

Martin

----------
radio email processed by SailMail
for information see: http://www.sailmail.com

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Heading to Panama


Today we're leaving for Panama. We're picking up our friend Steven Friese in Ponce, Puerto Rico and he's joining us for the leg to the San Blas islands. The trip is about 900 nautical miles and will take us 7-8 days, depending on conditions, which currently look ideal. We met Steven in 2009 in Nepal and are psyched that he's up for an adventure with us! We'll post position reports along the way, and are looking forward to the seeing some of the 300+ islands that make up the Panamanian archipelago. 

Monday, January 19, 2015

hot day

Motored 60 miles west to Puerto Rico today. Anchored at 17*55.6 north 66*15 west.
No trade winds, just lots of sun to ward off the January chill. Hoping to depart for Panama later this week.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Moving west

Today we left the USVI and had a pleasant downwind run to Culebra, Puerto Rico. We're anchored at N18°18.3'   W065°17.85
Lexi sailed Pau Hana through the reefs without using the engine!

Friday, January 9, 2015

Neighborhood Thugs

So I was getting in the water for a swim, and some guy offered to sell me three large "milk bones" for a dollar... what could go wrong?

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Leap of faith!

My mom & dad arrived Saturday to visit us in St. Thomas. They brought down much needed supplies like Kiehl's sunscreen, bug dope, Salsa Lisa and M&Ms. Yesterday, we had a fantastic 20+ mile sail to the BVIs and back. Dad was a natural driving the boat. After lunch, we stopped at a swimming hole and both mom & dad jumped off the boat into 40 ft water for a swim. They were great sports and weren't afraid to go for it!