3:10pm

Day 11 290410
Daily run: 150M
A nice sight met us in the morning. It is less wind and swells. Slightly
to the north of Te Matau we can make out Hine Moana, Uto Ni Yalo and
Marumaru Atua in one line. We rendezvoused during the evening after being
scattered by the gale force winds. All the vaka took a pounding in the
high winds and the mountainous breaking swell. Hine Moana got some issues
with her kiatos and wanted to slow down to reduce the stress on the hulls.
Yesterday morning Te Matau slowed right down to meet up with her. Hine
Moana came charging from the south in good speed and spray around the bow
and passed close to our stern. We could see happy smiles on the crew.
Hine's problem is not serious but she needs to be cautious. Marumaru and
Uto had met up during the night before and were waiting for us 26M north.
While Te Matau and Hine made their way down wind towards them they looked
after their canoes and repaired some of the damage the previous day had
caused. We are lucky enough to have some excellent support vessels
following the vaka. They are here to assist if the vaka run into trouble.
To have them close when the bad weather hits is very comforting. This
morning after the 0600 morning vaka FM, as some calls our morning round up
of positions on the vhf, we shook out the reefs and speeded up to 10kn
under full sails. Now all four vaka are flying along in a very bumpy ride
only a few miles apart. Beautiful sight! I have to hold on to the
computer so it doesn't fall of the little chart table in the whare. Ups, a
big wave crashed over and almost through me over the table! So please excuse some spelling errors! Nga Mihi

Te Matau a Maui

290410 Time Postion
Te Matau a Maui 0600 34'26S 154'19W
Hine Moana 0600 34'24S 154'18W
Uto Ni Yalo 0600 34'24S 154'18W
Marumaru Atua 0600 34'25S 154'20W