The flywheel is connected to the... NUTHIN!

As suspected, transmission input shaft splines are fubar.

Arrived Honokohau Harbor

We sailed slowly through another night to reduce our towing expense, and the towboat met us 1.5 miles from the harbor entrance.
We're safely moored at the dock and waiting for the customs and border control staff to clear us in.
2100 miles, 17 days. Back in the USA almost two years to the day after we left Beaufort, NC
Nap time.

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Land Ho!

[pos]19 13n 156 00w
[sp]1.2 kts
[h]000*T
[w]E 4 kts
[s]Safely in the lee of Hawaii awaiting for sea breeze to build for the final push to Kona. 26 miles to go. Rowdy night last night with sustained 30+ knots while rounding south point. Dolphins came out for inspection at sunrise.

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1920 miles behind us

150 miles to go to Kailua-Kona and the Honokohau Harbor. In about 90 miles we'll sail into the lee of the big island and the swell will be much reduced. We will also be away from the steady power of the NE tradewinds that have brought us so far. We'll ride "wind wrap" as far north as we can and then hug the coast to use the sea breeze generated by the warming air over the land.
The Kona Vessel Assist operator is aware of our approach and is standing by to help bring us into the marina.
Early this morning we sailed near what I believe to be an ODAS bouy. These weather data collectors are huge and made of steel and certainly tougher than Pau Hana. There will be many buoys along the coast called FADs, whose sole purpose is to provide structure as a Fish Aggregating Device. We will have to stay alert and perhaps troll a lure.
17*57' N
154*28' W
course 310*
speed 6 knots

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Friday

Clear bright sunrise as the wind blows on. 300 miles to go. We should be able to see Mauna Loa before too long if it stays clear.
The Hydrovane has steered continuously for more than 10 days straight. It is truly one of the most impressive inventions I've ever seen.

16 25 N
152 25 W
Course 310 T
Speed 6.5 kts
Wind NE 20 kts
Waves NE 2.5 m

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Day 14

After many days of hard effort, the ocean catches her breath during a relaxing morning. Most of my coffee made it into my mouth.
Many kamikaze flying fish on deck this morning.
A few mild-looking rain squalls ahead. I'll don't seem to mind being wet from rainwater.
Another sailboat has joined the Pacific Seafarer's Net. Jan on Narida has departed Victoria, BC and is bound for Victoria, BC in a non-stop solo circumnavigation. We are the only two boats currently on the roll call. Two other boats we know are waiting in the Line Islands for a favorable wind shift for their crossing to Hawaii.
1627 nm down, 457 to go. We hope to see some marine mammals as we sail up the lee side of the big island towards Kona

[pos]14 50n 150 18w
[sp]6.0 kts
[h]310*T
[w]NE 18 kts

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only 600 miles left!

Steep seas, but good progress through day 12. Mainsail is double reefed and storm jib on my new inner forestay that we added while in New Zealand. We had many hours of 30 knots in the last bit. It's backed off a bit now. Last night's full moon was above the clouds but created an ambient light that made for unique visibility through the night.

[pos]13 18n 148 23w
[sp]6.0 kts
[h]310*T
[w]NE 20 kts

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