October 14

This morning the wind was down considerably but was still from the SE. We are making about 6 - 6.5k over ground in about 12-13k of wind. Seas are very, very calm with a 1ft swell from the East. Some clouds were present last night and this morning many clouds can be seen to the South. We even had a few drops of rain, but nothing substantial.

At about 6am we hooked a nice wahoo, however, as the fish was brought alongside and the gaff made ready it flopped its head violently and was off the hook. It was about 3ft long and probably weighed 30lbs.

It is now 12pm and the wind is down to about 8k, still from the SE, though it moves between SE by South to ESE and can't seem to pick a direction. Our boat speed is fluctuating between 4 and 5k and the skies remain mostly clear with some heavier clouds seen to the West, but all is clear to the North and East. We are steering a course of 22M and we have 630 miles remaining to reach Tarawa.

A short while ago we crossed the 9th parallel and you can really feel the sun getting stronger as we approach the equator. Forecasts predict continued light winds for the next 4 or 5 days and therefore we may find ourselves out here an extra day even given the good speed we managed on the first 2 days of the passage. A Sunday evening arrival is still possible, though a Monday morning arrival is certainly possible.

At 3pm the wind came up to 11-14k and we are again moving along at 6+k. The skies remain clear and the seas calm. It is a welcome break as going 4k was become very boring.

At 7pm we are approaching a series of squalls visible as very dark clouds on the horizon. Turning on the radar we see line squalls stretching over a SW to NE axis and a huge one right in front of us. Winds remain light at 10-11k and we are making about 5.5k over ground.