We have left North Minerva reef on the last leg to New Zealand.  The norm for this passage is to have one spell off stronger winds.  Our forecast is very good with wind most of the way but no gales – I guess it can only get worse from here!  We’ll be ready with our smaller sails.  Our favourite is the trysail that will go up when the wind hits 30 knots.

We are off to a great start.  Covered 75 miles by 16:30 from our start at 7am.  Got a nice sized yellow fin Tuna so all set for fresh fish for most of the way to NZ.  When we loose the flying fish we won’t get the tuna etc.  Not sure what the best fishing technique will be then perhaps the mackerel lines but they require 2-3 knot boat speed.   We caught our last mackerel off Lisbon.

Fishing suggestions for 5 to 8 knots for colder waters welcome.

Position: 24°25’S 179°41’W [-24.420,-179.691] at 16:00 Local, 03:00 5th November 2009 GMT
761 miles to Opua, NZ. ETA at 5 knots: 00:25 12th November local time
Wind: ESE 15-18 knots
Sky:  30% cloud cover