Megan goes boating

Clown fish in an anenome, Mamanucas

We had a great time with Megan on board this week. She was a great sport and even got certified for scuba while here. She delivered lots of goodies from home and generally brightened up the place. She even even endured a showing of Jack goes Boating. Thanks for the great visit, Megan!

 This little damselfish was very curious with the camera and swam right up to me several times.

Fantastic coral formation in the Yasawas.

This little yellow chromis fish was giving the manta ray a run for its' money. Mantas only eat plankton, so I can only think he was just catching the wave made by the big ray. Martin thinks he was showing off for his friends. These 2 rays were 10-12 feet in wingspan and swam 6 feet under us while we were snorkeling. Just curious, I guess. 

Yasawa Islands

currently anchored at
S 17*10.3'
E 177*11.3'

We got buzzed by two Manta Rays while snorkeling this morning.
Tonight we'll go ashore to a nearby resort that has a beach bar and wood fired pizza oven.
No cell signal so no posting photos from here, but I got some great pics of these Mantas.
Low clouds with slight drizzle and about 72* F

Martin

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Mamanutha Islands

Currently anchored at
S 17*27.5'
E 177*02.6'
Megan Kempt is aboard and recently completed her SCUBA training.
The water clarity is excellent here, and the sun is rising after a few gray days.
All is well on Pau Hana
Martin

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Lexi Gulbranson shared a video with you on Vimeo

To ensure delivery, add no-reply@vimeo.com to your address book. Hi! Lexi Gulbranson shared a video with you on Vimeo: Follow this link if you like whales.... Humpback whale calf, Tonga by Lexi Gulbranson / 10 minutes ago I've recently been accused of bottle feeding humpback whales and am using this video as evidence of my innocence, I only got to within about 10 feet! We watched this 1 month old calf surface to check us out, then return to mom and start feeding. Forward this email to your friends and family so that they can watch the video too. Change your notification settings: https://vimeo.com/settings/advanced TM + © Vimeo, LLC 555 West 18th Street, New York, NY 10011 Terms | Privacy Policy

Sailing into the calm, Fiji

We arrived a couple days ago and have been busy with boat projects and getting ready for my friend Megan to fly in on Monday from Bozeman. We're gonna head off to a group of islands called the Mamanucas for a week of sailing and diving. There's a famous surf break here called Cloudbreak that I'd like to check out, too. Tom Hanks' movie Castaway was filmed here. The infamous TV show called Celebrity Love Island was also filmed here as was a movie called The Blue Lagoon (yep the Brooke Shields one). Go Megan!

Sent from my iPad

Lexi Gulbranson

S/V Pau Hana

South Pacific 2015

Safely Anchored in Fiji

Five days, Four nights, 550 miles sailed from northern Tonga to western Fiji.
Upwind, Downwind, light wind, heavy wind.
The lil' swede motored for 37 hours straight so we wouldn't have to spend a fifth night out. Fresh oil and filters for the engine tomorrow.
As we approached the Navolo Pass the wind kicked up to 25 knots.
We're now safely anchored in a empty bay with no other boats.
S 17*55'
W 177*16'
speed: zero.
Later I'll check out with the radio net and sleep well.
Martin

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Day 5

We have completed a nighttime transit of the Kandavu Passage.
None of the navigational aids shown on our charts were illuminated.
Luckily the digital charts are good enough and the passage is quite wide.
My new autopilot that I installed at Tahiti died at 4am. Charming. Luckily there is enough wind for the Hydrovane to steer.
Current Position:
S 18*28'
E 177*47'
Course 285* M
Speed 6 kts

We will likely anchor at Momi Bay and not press on to Lautoka so we can be anchored before nightfall tonight.

All'a well

Martin

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the far side

Pau Hana has entered the eastern hemisphere!

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motoring

Wind went light at about 3 am so we're motoring along our path with the mainsail up for a little extra push.
We've just passed Totoya Island. It seems unlikely that we will reach Lautoka on Tuesday.
Alas.
There is one sailboat within 100 miles of us that we've been speaking with twice a day on the SSB radio.
No ships seen last night.

0600 local time
S 19*06'
W 179*55'
speed 4.8 knots
course 272* magnetic

slow and steady

Martin

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upwind

320 miles remaining to Lautoka, Fiji.
We are just about to pass the southern end of the Yangasa Group, but we cannot stop because there is no opportunity to clear customs and immigration there. Disappointing. If we were to come back here we would have to sail upwind for over 200 miles.
As it stands we're sailing upwind anyway. The wind is coming out of the SSW at about 15 knots.
It's harder on the boat but better for sleeping as the boat does not roll uncomfortably.
One ship passed us last night but never got within 5 miles of us. Venus snuck up behind us again.
As of 0630 on Sunday Sept 13; 1830 UTC Saturday:
S 19*26'
W 177*59'
Speed 6 kts
Course 243* magnetic
We'll change course to WNW later this morning and sail between Matuka and Totoya Islands, heading for the Kandavu Passage.
Martin

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To Fiji

Good Morning!
Pau Hana is on the move and headed for Fiji.
As of 0715 local on Saturday, which is 1830 UTC on Friday:
S 19*03
W 175*51
Speed 5.5 knots
Course 245* mag
Wind 10 kts SSW
Sea <1m

Sailing through the night last night there was no moon, so the stars and biolumenescence were very bright.
This morning before dawn I was sure a ship was approaching us from the east, but after more than 20 minutes I figured out that it was Venus rising above the horizon. Oops.
Comfortable sailing so far. Beam reach to close reach so no rolling. We're headed towards Lautoka, in SW Fiji to pick up our friend Megan Kempt who is arriving for a visit.
I replaced the antenna feed line while in Tonga so my radio works much better.

All's well aboard

Martin

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Bye bye Tonga

Martin showing off with dinner- red snapper

 At an outlying anchorage near whale alley. We heard whales singing through the hull of the boat and saw them everyday.

 Home sweet home. We're heading to Fiji today, a trip of about 550 miles. Tonga has been amazing, one of my favorite places on this trip.