Position reports

We're ready to leave today for NZ. There's no wind right now, but it should fill in throughout the day (hopefully!). We've got 35 miles of weaving thru coral and shoals before we get out of the south end of the Ha'apai island group, so having to motor isn't as bad as it seems. The latest long term weather forecast indicates that we need to arrive in NZ before November 3rd, so we've got to get moving. The wind forecast between now and then sounds ideal - a steadt 15-20 kn from the east all the way. There are usually nasty low pressure weather systems marching across north of New Zealand at a rate of one a week or less. Conventional routing for this leg is to leave just after a low passes and try to get there before another one hits. They're more severe the further south you get, so many folks leave when one is coming and take it on further north, then have a longer window before the next one comes. If you're lucky (or REALLY good at weather routing!) you make it without experiencing any lows. If you're really not, you might get whacked by two (or more) of them. Right now seems like an unusually long window. A low is scheduled to pass south of us today... it's time!

We've got enough fuel to motor for 100 hours, fresh water for 4 weeks in non-conserving mode, (i.e taking showers and using fresh water for dishwashing). We've got the least amount of food on board because we need to arrive in NZ with minimal provisions - both because quarantine will take some of it, and we have to get rid of the rest before leaving the boat when we fly home for Christmas. Kellie has done a fantastic job of correctly estimating usage (how much catsup does a family of 4 use in a year and a half, etc.? ) Position reporting via YOTREPS is up and working again. Check out the "Where are we now" link on www.imaginecruising.com/web and follow our progress on the maps as we sail 1200 miles from Tonga to New Zealand

-Pete