2:30 PM PDT: 31d 21m N, 156d 46m W We have definitely entered the light winds, just as forecast. The wind is still blowing from the east, but is down to about 6 kts, and our boatspeed is around 4kts, still sailing north. It won’t be long before we start motoring, but for now we […]

Boat, lat, lon, course, speed, wind direction, windspeed, comment VALIS, 29 58, 156 52, 000, 7.4, 100, 13, Cassiopeia, 26 22, 154 48, 025, 6.6, 060, 12, Kotuku, 30 52, 157 02, 000, 6.5, 100, 10, Tiki Blue, 30 56, 153 32, 000, 5.5, 090, 8, Tiki J, 30 14, 151 33, 026, 6, 090, […]

Position: 29d 05m N, 157d 02m W. Course 355 magnetic @ 6.5 kts. We’re still sailing north, which is exactly what we want to do. The winds are lighter, and the seas calmer, as we approach the Pacific High. We will probably be doing some motoring before we pick up the winds from the southwest, […]

Boat, lat, lon, course, speed, wind direction, windspeed, comment VALIS, 27 33, 157 16, 000, 6.5, 080, 14, Kotuku, 28 11, 157 03, 000, 8, 090, 16, Tiki Blue, 28 45, 164 42, 025, 6, 090, 11, Tiki J, 28 11, 152 54, 010, 7.3, 090, 18, relay via Medusa Jamani, 28 52, 156 48, […]

We’re still sailing north in good conditions: 15 kt winds from the east, 4-foot seas, sunny skies with the occasional clouds. We had Nicole’s home-made lentil soup for dinner last night and we’re all feeling great. Our position is 26d 22m N, 157d 26m W, sailing a course of 355d magnetic, at about 7 kts. […]

Boat, lat, lon, course, speed, wind direction, windspeed, comment, comment VALIS, 24 52, 157 37, 355, 7.5, 090, 18,, Tiki J, 26 05, 154 25, 063, 6.1, 101, 15,, Kotuku, 25 25, 157 24, 000, 8.0, 090, 20,, Tiki Blue, 26 32, 155 18, 030, 6.5, 090, 13,, Jamani, 26 04, 157 16, 000, 8, […]

We’ve been sailing north for about 24 hours now, and have been making good speed in great conditions. The seas are moderate, and the crew, while not quite 100%, are getting their sea legs. Everyone is able to stand their watch, and spirits are high. Last night at midnight PDT, VALIS was net control for […]

Today at around 6:40 PM PDT (3:40 PM HST) we left Kaneohe Bay and are sailing north. The VALIS crew is Rich, Lin, Jenta, Nicole, and me (Paul). You know Rich, Lin is a friend and experienced sailor from Vancouver, and Jenta and nicole are students associated with the NOAA Marine Debris Research program. Jenta […]

No, we didn’t stray into the Kaneohe Marine Base restricted area and be used for target practice. We actually crossed the finish line and are now tied up at the beautiful Kaneohe Yacht Club marina. I will post photos and more commentary soon, but we spent the next 24 hours on pins and needles as […]